Diplomatic pressure on Israel by the UK includes sanctions this time. Itamar BEN-GVIR and Bezalel Yoel SMOTRICH are responsible for a severe abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. They are responsible for the particular acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals in the West Bank. They are now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification. The UK Government sanctioned them.
Both ministers responded defiantly to the travel bans and financial sanctions on Tuesday afternoon. They vowed to continue their agenda and accused Britain of echoing its colonial-era restrictions on Jewish migration to British-mandate Palestine.
UK and Partners Against Israel: Diplomatic Pressure on Israel
The UK applied sanctions on Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich today. The act is in response to their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities alongside partners Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway. The UK calls for immediate action against extremist settlers’ measures announced today. It demonstrates the UK’s commitment to challenging those inciting hatred and violence. The five nations were clear that the rising violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank must stop.
Palestinian communities in the West Bank continue to suffer from severe acts of violence. The extremist Israeli settlers also undermine a future Palestinian state. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway in stepping up the international response. In their capacity, Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are now sanctioned. The sanctions are due to their repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians, effective immediately.
Sanctions Against Extremists: Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich
Diplomatic pressure on Israel by sanctioning two monsters has elicited some reactions. The UK has made clear in public and private to the Netanyahu government that Israel must cease killing Palestinians. They must stop the expansion of illegal settlements, which undermine a future Palestinian state. They also must clamp down on settler violence and condemn inflammatory and extremist statements from both individuals.
The measures by international partners demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that individuals are held accountable for encouraging and inciting human rights abuses. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said they are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution. Moreover, they will continue to work with the partners towards its implementation. It is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability in the region. However, it is imperiled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion. Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and grave abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable.
Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Banned from Entering and Frozen Assets
The UK has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers over repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. The UK Government has banned Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from entering the UK and will freeze any assets they may have in the UK. Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have also been criticized for their stance on the war in Gaza. Both ministers oppose allowing aid into the Strip and have called for Palestinians there to be resettled outside the territory. In response, Netanyahu has accused them of wanting to help Hamas and being “on the wrong side of history.
Lammy said: “These actions are not acceptable. This is why the UK has taken action now to hold those responsible to account. As a diplomatic pressure on Israel, the UK will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They are also looking for the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas, a surge in aid, and a path to a two-state solution.
Reaction of Two Monstrous Ministers to the UK Sanctions
Speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the West Bank, Smotrich expressed contempt towards the UK’s move. He said Britain has tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again. Moreover, he added they are firm, God willing, to continue building. The minister was alluding to the period when Britain governed Palestine and imposed restrictions on Jewish immigration, most significantly from the late 1930s to the late 1940s. Ben-Gvir said they survived Pharaoh, we will also survive Keir Starmer.
The two ministers reacted to the diplomatic pressure on Israel. The former defense minister, Benny Gantz, expressed his disappointment. He stated that he vehemently disagreed with Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir on a wide range of issues. However, the imposition of British sanctions on ministers of Israel is a profound moral mistake and sends a dangerous message to terrorists. Both ministers responded defiantly to the travel bans and financial sanctions on Tuesday afternoon. They vowed to continue their agenda and accused Britain of echoing its colonial-era restrictions on Jewish migration to British-mandate Palestine.
Genocide of Palestinians: A Dangerous Extremism
Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel’s war on Gaza, which began in October 2023, has so far killed almost 55,000 Palestinians. They are primarily women and children, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Israel has maintained a crippling siege and aid blockade on the devastated enclave. Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operating in Gaza on May 27. Israeli forces opened fire at desperate people seeking meagre food parcels for their hungry families. Israel attacks killed at least 130 Palestinians and wounded more than 1,000 people.
Falconer said Smotrich and Ben-Gvir had continued their “appalling” rhetoric despite warnings from the UK government. As a result, the UK took the required action. The possibility of sanctioning these two ministers has been in the pipeline for some time. The UK’s decision reflects growing popular and parliamentary pressure to take further action against the Israeli government for its operations both in Gaza and the West Bank. It also comes after a steady escalation of pressure by the UK and other allies. The UK also broke off trade talks with Israel. In the Commons last month, Lammy described remarks by Smotrich about cleansing Gaza of Palestinians as monstrous and dangerous extremism.
