The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers in response to inflammatory remarks they made regarding Gaza, BBC reports.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have both been banned from entering the UK, and any assets they hold within the country will be frozen, as part of a new set of measures announced by Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Lammy stated that both ministers had “incited extremist violence and serious human rights abuses against Palestinians.” He emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and that the UK is taking steps to hold them accountable.
In response, the Israeli government condemned the decision, calling it “unacceptable” and asserting that democratically elected officials should not be subjected to such measures.
Smotrich has previously campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, while Ben-Gvir has openly called for the displacement of Gaza’s population.
“This conduct is not acceptable,” Lammy said following the sanctions announcement. “That is why we have acted now — to hold those responsible to account. We are committed to achieving an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas — which can have no future role in Gaza’s governance — and a path towards a two-state solution.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that the Israeli cabinet will convene next week to discuss how to respond to what he described as an “unacceptable decision.”
The UK Foreign Office also highlighted that, along with partners such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, Britain is clear in its stance that escalating violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank must stop.
The Foreign Office added that these sanctions against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir “cannot be viewed in isolation from events in Gaza, where Israel must uphold international humanitarian law.”
Both ministers are key figures in far-right parties that form part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.
Reported by BBC