Britain sanctions Israeli far-right ministers over Gaza comments

LONDON - Britain and other allies imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Mr Itamar Ben-Gvir and Mr Bezalel Smotrich on June 10, over “their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities”, the UK’s foreign ministry said.

Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway joined Britain in freezing the assets and imposing travel bans on Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir – a West Bank settler – and Finance Minister Smotrich.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable,” British Foreign Minister David Lammy, along with the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said in a joint statement.

“This is why we have taken action now to hold those responsible to account.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the move was “outrageous” and the government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the “unacceptable decision”.

Mr Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the Hebron Hills, spoke of “contempt” for Britain’s move.

“Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again. We are determined, God willing, to continue building.”

Britain, like other European countries, has been increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to end the blockade on aid into Gaza, where international experts have said famine is imminent.

In the joint statement, allies tried to soften the blow by saying Britain reiterated its commitment to continuing “a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on shared ties, values and commitment to security and future”.

“We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution,” the statement said. 

Earlier, Mr Starmer said Britain “was talking to other partners about what more we can do, including questions of sanctions” when asked what actions the government would take against Israel.

“My strong belief is, when we make a move, if we’re able to do that in the company of other countries, that’s a stronger move than doing it on our own.”

‘Egregious’

London in May suspended free trade talks with Israel for pursuing “egregious policies” in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, summoned its ambassador, and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers.

Foreign minister Lammy, who called Israel’s recent offensive “a dark new phase in this conflict”, has previously condemned comments by Mr Smotrich on the possible cleansing and destruction of Gaza and relocation of its residents to third countries.

In May, Mr Lammy described Mr Smotrich’s comments as “extremism”, adding: “It is dangerous, it is repellent, it is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”

Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich have clashed repeatedly with Mr Netanyahu, both calling for the permanent conquest of Gaza and re-establishment of the Jewish settlements there which Israel abandoned in 2005, notions that the Israeli leader rejected.

Britain’s former foreign minister David Cameron had planned to sanction the two ministers before his Conservative Party lost an election in 2024.

The leaders of Britain, France and Canada have also threatened “concrete actions” against Israel if it continued the renewed military offensive in Gaza and maintains aid restrictions, reiterating a commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict.

In response, Mr Netanyahu accused them of wanting to help Hamas and being “on the wrong side of history”.

Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 people taken as hostages into Gaza.

Israel’s campaign has devastated much of Gaza and killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health authorities. REUTERS