‘Incitements of Violence’ – UK Sanctions Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich
Both ministers, sanctioned in their personal capacity, are “now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.”
The UK government has joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway in imposing sanctions on Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for their “repeated incitements of violence” against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
“As Palestinian communities in the West Bank continue to suffer from severe acts of violence by extremist Israeli settlers which also undermine a future Palestinian state, the United Kingdom has joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in stepping up the international response,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway have jointly imposed sanctions on Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing their inflammatory rhetoric and role in inciting violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The… pic.twitter.com/pBzz2clsCB
— TRT World (@trtworld) June 10, 2025
Ben-Gvir, the Security Minister, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister, “are now sanctioned for their repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians, effective immediately,” the statement added.
The UK government said it has “made clear in public and private to the Netanyahu government Israel must cease expansion of illegal settlements which undermine a future Palestinian state, clamp down on settler violence, and condemn inflammatory and extremist statements from both individuals.”
Travel Ban, Asset Freeze
UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, along with the foreign ministers of the four other countries, said in a joint statement that they are “steadfastly committed” to the two-state solution and “will continue to work with our partners towards its implementation.”
The statement said it was “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.”
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“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 statement noted.
Both ministers, sanctioned in their personal capacity, are “now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.”
‘Two-State Solution’
As of April 2025, extremist settlers have carried out over 1,900 attacks against Palestinian civilians since January last year, the statement noted.
Smotrich Threatens to Topple Government if Gaza Not Occupied, Ruled Militarily
The foreign ministers said they would strive to achieve “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, the release of the remaining captives held by Hamas, as well as “a surge in aid and a path to the two-state solution.”
‘Outrageous’ – Israeli FM
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the sanctions “outrageous and unacceptable.”
“The decisions taken against Ministers in the Israeli government, which is collectively responsible for its decisions, are outrageous and unacceptable,” Sa’ar said in a statement on X, adding that those “within Israel who try to justify such decisions are doing something severe.”
The British Mandate for the land of Israel ended in May 1948. It will never return.
The political pressure on Israel, which manifests itself in various ways, has one goal: to bring about an end to the war without achieving its goals, while Hamas still controls Gaza and… pic.twitter.com/IG083EShIt
— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) June 10, 2025
Sa’ar added that a government meeting will be held early next week “in which we will decide on our response to the decisions taken against the Ministers.”
Lammy announced last month the suspension of negotiations on a new free trade deal with Israel as well as the summoning of the Israeli ambassador over Tel Aviv’s military escalation and blockade of aid to the Gaza Strip.
Settler Attacks
Between 27 May and 2 June 2025, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, documented at least 32 settler attacks on Palestinians that resulted in casualties, property damage, or both.”
Palestinians, Activists ‘Hunted’ in Brutal Settler Attack in West Bank – Report
“As a result, 30 Palestinians, including three children, were injured – of whom 16 were injured by settlers and 14 by Israeli forces,” the UN Office said in its latest Situation Report dated June 5.
In the same period, some 145 Palestinian-owned fruit and olive trees and saplings and 24 vehicles were vandalized, the report noted.
New Settlement Construction
Last month, the Israeli government approved the construction of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The Defense Ministry’s announcement followed a security cabinet vote held in secret, according to media reports, after a motion was said to have been put forward by the far-right Defense Minister Israel Katz and Smotrich.
Israel Approves Construction of 22 New Illegal Settlements in West Bank
The approval of the settlements, considered illegal under international law, is “the largest expansion since Oslo,” with all situated “deep in areas slated for a Palestinian state,” the Israeli settlement watchdog, Peace Now, said.
(The Palestine Chronicle)