On Tuesday, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway announced sanctions against two Israeli ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. This move reflects growing international criticism of Israel’s settlement policies and recent violence amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, intensified by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.
The foreign ministers of the five countries stated that the ministers’ rhetoric advocated for violence and the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling their actions “appalling and dangerous.” The sanctions may include asset freezes and travel bans. They stressed that the measures are targeted toward these individuals and not against the state of Israel or its people, particularly recognizing the suffering of Israeli civilians since the Hamas attack.
In response, Smotrich dismissed the sanctions while inaugurating a new West Bank settlement, asserting a commitment to continued settlement development. Ben-Gvir invoked biblical references to counter the criticism. The U.S. expressed condemnation of the sanctions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing that Hamas remains the primary enemy and urging the reversal of the sanctions.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled the sanctions “outrageous” and warned that they could complicate peace negotiations and embolden Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, which has sparked further international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions and settlement activities.
Human rights lawyer Eitay Mack hailed the sanctions as “historic,” suggesting they mark a significant shift in accountability for Israeli officials. The West Bank, designated for future Palestinian statehood, is home to over 500,000 Israeli settlers, whose presence is deemed illegal by most of the international community.
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