In a joint move the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway announced sanctions and other measures targeting Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account,” the U.K. UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said Tuesday.
As a result, Ben-Gvir and Smotirch face travel ban and asset freeze in these countries.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar termed the sanctions move as “outrageous.”
Saar said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will discuss its response to the measures next week.
The measures by Israel’s Western allies come amid criticism over its conduct of war in Gaza, where Israel says it is fighting Palestinian militant organization Hamas, and where, according to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli attacks have since then killed more than 54,000 people including a large number of children and women.
The conflict started after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which, Israeli officials say, 1200 people were killed. In addition, Hamas, designated as terrorist outfit by the United State, took around 250 hostages.
Foreign David Lammy, along with the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway noted in a joint statement, “we are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution and will continue to work with our partners towards its implementation.
“It is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperiled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.”
According to the United Kingdom’s FCDO, as of April 2025, Israeli extremist settlers have carried out over 1,900 attacks against Palestinian civilians since January last year.
Meanwhile, Israeli finance minister Smotrich sounded defiant and vowed to go ahead with new West Bank settlement.
“We are determined to continue building,” he said.
In the official reaction, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar noted in a video shared on X that “Israel is a sovereign, independent, and proud state that is fighting a historic battle for its existence against a regional axis working to destroy it. Israel will emerge from this battle with the upper hand – first and foremostly because it has no other choice.”
“The decisions taken against Ministers in the Israeli government, which is collectively responsible for its decisions, are outrageous and unacceptable. Those within Israel who try to justify such decisions are doing something severe. I commend MK Benny Gantz for his responsible and patriotic response. Early next week, we will hold a government meeting in which we will decide on our response to the decisions taken against the Ministers.”
In their joint statement, the UK and other foreign ministers said, their countries would “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 UK also reiterated its commitment to continuing “a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on shared ties, values and commitment to [its] security and future.”
The foreign ministers noted the Western capitals engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, “yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity.”
“This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account. The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.
The diplomats said the measures against the two ministers “do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas.”
“Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world,” the Western diplomats said.
On the Gaza war, the diplomats said: “Today’s measures focus on the West Bank, but of course this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid. 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. We will continue to work with the Israeli Government and a range of partners.
“We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid including food. We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution.”
