In a joint diplomatic move, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Norway have imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The sanctions have been imposed in view of encouraging violence and human rights violations against Palestinians. On Tuesday, the countries made the announcement, elaborating that the sanctions will included an asset freeze and travel ban for the two ministers.
This comes at a time when many influential countries in the West are strongly criticizing Israeli violence and aid blockade in the occupied West Bank, fueling the worst humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The five sanctioning countries issued a joint statement emphasizing their support for a two-state solution, asserting that it is “imperiled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.” The statement condemned the ministers for encouraging the forced displacement of Palestinians and expansion of new Israeli settlements, warning that such language is appalling and dangerous.
Read More: Germany, Italy Warn Israel Against Aggression in Gaza, Ireland to Impose Trade Ban
After repeated warnings to the Israeli government, the five countries said that grave human rights violations continue with encouragement and impunity. While mainly speaking about the crisis in the West Bank, the statement also speaks about the catastrophe in Gaza, mentioning the immense suffering of civilians and denial of basic aid.
In the statement, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway further stated: “We remain firmly committed to the two-state solution…but it is under threat from extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.”
Condemning the actions of the targeted ministers, the statement read: “Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on the occasion of inaugurating a new settlement named Mitzpe Ziv, in the West Bank, rejected the sanctions and accused Britain of recycling its colonial-era opposition to Jewish settlement.
Read More: France Warns of Tougher Stance on Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockade
“Britain once tried to keep us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not allow it to happen again,” he said. Ben Gvir, in a similar defiance, said the sanctions “do not scare me” and declared to continue blocking aid.
The UK had already suspended trade talks and sanctioned individual settlers, however, this is the first time direct action was taken against senior Israeli officials.
These sanctions send a strong message from influential Western allies: violence, provocation and disregard for global norms will not pass without notice. As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, the global community demands accountability, restraint, and renewed commitment to realizing a peaceful solution.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
