Published: 11 June 2025
Last updated: 12 June 2025
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."
What do the sanctions mean?
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.
What prompted the sanctions?
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'.
