New sanctions announced against two Israeli ministers for 'inciting extreme violence' against Palestinians

The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers after accusing them of "inciting violence" against Palestinians in the West Bank, they announced in a joint statement Tuesday.

Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, respectively the Minister of National Security and Minister of Finance, "incited extreme violence and serious human rights violations against Palestinians," the foreign ministers of these countries said, as quoted in the statement.

Advocating "the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous," they added.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had "incited extremist violence" and "serious abuses" against Palestinian human rights , the source said.

"Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are unacceptable. That's why we're taking action now: to hold those responsible accountable," Lammy said.

For its part, the Israeli government condemned the decision even before it was officially announced.

"It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to this type of measure," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said at a press conference.

The measures announced Tuesday "focus" on the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, the ministers explained in the statement.

"But, of course, this cannot be considered in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We remain appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of basic humanitarian aid," they added.

"There must be no illegal transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, nor any reduction of the Gaza Strip's territory," they wrote.

Ben Gvir and Smotrich will not be able to travel to the United Kingdom and their assets in those countries will be frozen.

Despite the sanctions, the United Kingdom and its partners reiterated their commitment to maintaining a strong friendship with the people of Israel and affirmed that they will continue to work with the Israeli government to achieve long-term peace and security.

"We are firmly committed to the two-state solution, which is the only way to guarantee the security and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability in the region, but it is jeopardized by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion," the statement added.

Between January 2024 and April 2025, settlers carried out more than 1,900 attacks against Palestinian civilians, the Foreign Office notes.

Although the measures taken Tuesday refer to the West Bank, the foreign ministers emphasized that they should not be considered in isolation from the "Gaza catastrophe" and called for an immediate ceasefire, the "unimpeded" flow of humanitarian aid, and no reduction in the Strip's territory.

"We want to see a rebuilt Gaza no longer under Hamas control and a political path toward a two-state solution," the statement concludes.

On May 20, London suspended negotiations with the Israeli government for a new trade agreement and announced a package of sanctions against two organizations, two illegal settlements, and three individuals who, according to the Foreign Office, had also "supported, incited, and promoted violence" against Israeli settlers in the West Bank.