UK Sanctions Far-Right Israeli Ministers Over Incitement of Violence Against Palestinians
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing their “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the occupied West Bank. The measures, announced by the UK Foreign Secretary, ban the ministers from entering the UK and freeze any assets they hold in the country.
This decision is part of a coordinated effort with Australia, Norway, Canada, and New Zealand, unveiled on Tuesday.
In response, Israel condemned the sanctions, calling them “outrageous” and asserting that they unfairly target elected officials and members of the government.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister, had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”
Global Reactions
The sanctions drew international criticism. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move counterproductive, writing on X: “These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.” He urged the nations involved to reverse their decision, emphasizing U.S. solidarity with Israel.
Similarly, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the sanctions as a “shocking decision” in an interview with the BBC.
Criticism of Ministers’ Policies
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have faced widespread criticism for their hardline stances on the Gaza war. Both oppose humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and have advocated for the resettlement of Palestinians outside the territory.
The UK’s Foreign Office justified the sanctions, highlighting the increasing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, which it said undermines the prospects for a future Palestinian state. A statement read, “The rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers must stop.”
The Foreign Office also stressed that the sanctions were connected to broader concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza, emphasizing the need for Israel to uphold international humanitarian law.
Political Fallout in Israel
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the UK’s decision, describing it as “unacceptable” and announcing plans for a cabinet meeting next week to discuss a response.
Speaking at the inauguration of a settlement, Smotrich condemned the sanctions, saying, “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.”
His remarks referenced Britain’s governance of Palestine before 1948, during which restrictions were imposed on Jewish immigration.
Since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war, approximately 160 settlements have been built, housing over 700,000 Jews. The international community overwhelmingly considers these settlements illegal, a position supported by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Israel, however, disputes this assessment.
UK’s Broader Measures and Historical Context
The UK’s sanctions come amid escalating tensions in Gaza and the West Bank. Speaking in Parliament, Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer described 2024 as one of the worst years for settler violence in two decades. He accused Smotrich and Ben-Gvir of inciting violence that has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of entire communities.
Falconer added that warnings had been issued to the ministers regarding their rhetoric, but their failure to heed them necessitated decisive action.
The sanctions reflect growing pressure within the UK to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Last month, the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement warning Israel about violating international law and suspended trade talks with the country.
In October, Lord Cameron, the former UK Foreign Secretary, revealed that plans to sanction Smotrich and Ben-Gvir had been under consideration for over a year.
Timeline of UK-Israel Tensions
- May 19: The UK, France, and Canada criticize Israel’s expanded Gaza offensive and blockade, warning of a “concrete” response.
- May 20: The UK suspends free trade talks with Israel and sanctions settlers.
- June 10: The UK announces sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for advocating forced displacement of Palestinians.
Parliamentary Responses
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey welcomed the sanctions but criticized the government and Labour for their delay in taking action. Meanwhile, Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel avoided directly commenting on the sanctions but emphasized the need for the UK government to focus on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and ensuring aid reaches Gaza.
Conflict Update
The sanctions come 20 months after Israel began its military campaign in Gaza, following the unprecedented Hamas-led cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken.
Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 54,927 people have been killed in the conflict.
