Several Western nations, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, have levied sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers. This unprecedented move is a direct response to accusations of inciting extremist violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The sanctions, announced on Tuesday, June 11th, 2025, mark a significant escalation in international condemnation of Israel’s settlement policies and the surge in settler violence following the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack.
The targeted ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security) and Bezalel Smotrich (Finance), are prominent figures within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. Both are known for their staunch support of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and their controversial stances on the ongoing conflict. The sanctions could include asset freezes and travel bans, significantly impacting their ability to operate internationally.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the five countries condemned the ministers’ actions, citing their incitement of extremist violence and serious human rights abuses against Palestinians. The statement specifically highlighted the ministers’ rhetoric advocating for the forced displacement of Palestinians and the expansion of Israeli settlements as “appalling and dangerous.” The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, went further, stating that the ministers had been inciting violence for an extended period and encouraging egregious human rights abuses.
The Canadian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, clarified that the sanctions were targeted at the individuals, not the state of Israel itself. Similar sentiments were echoed by New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, who emphasized that the action was not directed against the Israeli people but rather against those actively undermining peace and security through incitement and violence.
Reactions from Israel were swift and strongly negative. Smotrich, learning of the sanctions while inaugurating a new West Bank settlement, defiantly declared their intention to continue building. Ben-Gvir similarly reacted on social media, referencing historical figures to illustrate their resolve. The Israeli government condemned the sanctions as “outrageous,” and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Israel would discuss a response.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, also condemned the sanctions, urging their reversal and emphasizing that Hamas, not Israel, was the true enemy. This underscores the deepening rift between Israel and some of its traditional allies, particularly amid escalating concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza, including the high civilian death toll and the prolonged blockade.
The sanctions have been praised by some as a historic step. Eitay Mack, an Israeli human rights lawyer who had long advocated for these measures, highlighted that this action breaks the wall of immunity previously enjoyed by Israeli politicians. He even suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu himself could face similar consequences.
The ongoing conflict and the international response continue to evolve, with this incident serving as a stark reminder of the complex and sensitive geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
