International sanctions hit Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions targeting Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The statement blamed the two Religious Zionist members of Israel's parliament for inciting increasing settler violence in the West Bank.

It emphasised that the countries involved continue "unwavering support for Israel's security" and continued condemnation of "the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas".

The ministers also expressed continuing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and concluded "We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution."

The signatories have imposed Magnitsky-style sanctions, which consist of financial sanctions and travel bans. It is now a criminal offence to send money to Ben-Gvir or Smotrich or to entities they control. They will not be granted visas to any of the sanctioning countries.

The sanctions were imposed on the basis of statements made by the two politicians supporting the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the further settlement of the West Bank, between March 2023 and May 2025.

One of the most recent catalysts was the Jerusalem Day march attended by Ben-Gvir last month, where the crowd chanted 'Death to the Arabs' and 'May your village burn'.

Last month, Ben-Gvir was quoted in Times of Israel, saying ‘We must stop delaying and launch the decisive attack. To occupy the entire territory of the Gaza Strip, and to encourage the migration of Gazans to countries around the world’.

Smotrich was filmed saying "Gaza will be totally destroyed…[its population] will leave in great numbers to third countries."

In other quotations, Smotrich said Israel should "eliminate the problem of Gaza" and "stop being afraid of the word 'occupation".

He also suggested starving the entire population of Gaza might be an acceptable strategy, saying "No one in the world will allow us to starve two million people, even though it might be justified and moral in order to free the hostages."

Both politicians have also threatened West Bank Palestinians and denied the existence of a Palestinian notion.

Smotrich told West Bank Palestinians communities, "We will turn you into ruins like in the Gaza Strip" and called for the village of Hawara to be erased.

Ben-Gvir told West Bank encouraged settlers to expland settlements, telling them to "run to the hilltops", a reference to illegal settlements established by the "Hilltop Youth"

"Today, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

"Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution. Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.

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

"Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable. We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account. The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.

"The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas.  Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world. We continue to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future.

"Today’s measures focus on the West Bank, but of course this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid. There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. We will continue to work with the Israeli Government and a range of partners. We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid including food. We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution."

The Trump administration condemned the sanctions as “extremely unhelpful”.

“It will do nothing to get us closer to a ceasefire in Gaza. They should focus on the real culprit, which is Hamas,” says State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce when asked about the unprecedented sanctions during a press briefing.

“We remain concerned about any step that would further isolate Israel from the international community,” she continues. “If our allies want to help, they should focus on supporting special envoy Witkoff’s negotiations and backing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation when it comes to food and aid.”

Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon released a statement criticising the decision and saying Israel will respond officially next week.

"The decision to impose sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers is deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable. These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable.

"Serious questions must be asked about the motives behind the timing of this announcement. It comes while Israel is engaged in a war against Hamas, a terrorist organisation committed to wiping Israel off the map and a key part of a broader axis of terror. At this very moment, Israel is dedicating every possible effort and resource to securing the safe return of the 55 hostages still held by Hamas," Maimon said on X.

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Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom on measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich (DFAT)

Trump administration condemns ‘extremely unhelpful’ sanctions on Smotrich, Ben Gvir (Times of Israel)