UK, Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers Over West Bank Violence

The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway on Tuesday imposed coordinated sanctions on two far-right Israeli Cabinet ministers, accusing them of inciting violence and human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The sanctions target National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both influential members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. The ministers have long supported expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank and publicly advocate for the continued war in Gaza, along with controversial calls for the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians and the restoration of Jewish settlements in the territory.

According to a joint statement by the five countries’ foreign ministers, the two Israeli officials “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.” The sanctions could include travel bans and asset freezes.

The move marks an unusually strong rebuke from Western allies typically supportive of Israel and reflects mounting international concern over a rise in settler violence in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack.

While Israel has yet to officially respond to the coordinated sanctions, the action underscores growing diplomatic friction as violence escalates in Palestinian territories.