In a landmark diplomatic move, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers—Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich—for what it describes as repeated incitement of extremist violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The sanctions, announced on June 10, 2025, include asset freezes, travel bans, and director disqualifications, and were coordinated with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the ministers had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights,” citing inflammatory rhetoric and policies that have fueled settler aggression and undermined prospects for peace.
The sanctions are not directed at the Israeli state but at individuals deemed responsible for escalating violence and obstructing humanitarian efforts.
Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister, are both key figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
They have long championed the expansion of Israeli settlements and have made controversial statements advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Smotrich recently declared that “not even a grain of wheat” should be allowed into Gaza, while Ben-Gvir has opposed aid deliveries and called for harsher military responses.
The UK’s decision follows months of rising international concern over settler violence, which has surged since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. According to UN reports, over 1,900 attacks by extremist settlers have been recorded since January 2024, leading to widespread displacement and civilian casualties.
Israel’s government has condemned the sanctions as “outrageous,” with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announcing a special cabinet meeting to formulate a response.
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir dismissed the move as politically motivated, with Ben-Gvir defiantly stating, “We overcame Pharaoh, we’ll overcome Starmer’s Wall,” referencing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The sanctions mark a significant shift in the UK’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting growing frustration among Western allies over Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
While the United States has maintained its support for Israel, other nations have increasingly voiced concern over human rights violations and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 50,000.
This diplomatic rebuke underscores a broader international push for accountability and a renewed commitment to a two-state solution.
Whether it will alter the trajectory of Israeli policy remains to be seen, but it sends a clear message: extremist rhetoric and actions will not go unchecked on the global stage.
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