U.K., and four other allies sanction Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich

Right-wing Knesset members Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich attend a special session at the Knesset Israel’s parliament. File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The U.K, along with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, has sanctioned two Israeli Government Ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday, “for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”. While the move was focused on the West Bank, a joint statement from the countries said it could not be viewed in isolation from the “catastrophe” in Gaza.

“There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

With regard to the U.K. both Ministers will immediately be subject to an asset freeze, travel ban and be disqualified from the directorship, management, formation or promotion of a British company.

The move comes as pressure mounts on the government of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer change tack and adopt a stronger position against Israel’s actions, particularly its military operations in Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian aid reaching the strip.

Last month the U.K. announced sanctions against certain Israeli settlers in the West Bank and the suspension of trade talks with Tel Aviv. Last week, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn led a group of MPs in introducing a bill in the U.K. Parliament calling for an independent inquiry into the U.K. government’s role in the Israel-Gaza conflict since October 2023.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the Israeli government had been “informed” of U.K.’s decision to sanction its ministers . Mr Sa’ar said it was “outrageous” that elected representatives could be subject to these kind of actions and that a special meeting would be held early next week to decide on a response to the sanctions.

The sanctioning countries emphasized that the move did not undermine their “unwavering” commitment to Israel’s security and their condemnation of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. The actions of Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir had undermined Israel’s security, the statement said, adding that the sanctioning countries continued to want a “strong friendship” with the people of Israel.