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Foreign ministers

Britain Sanctions Israeli Ministers Over Gaza Incitement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Israel's security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned by the UK for inciting violence against Palestinians. The sanction includes a travel ban and asset freeze. This decision marks a significant break with the US, which has urged the reversal of the sanctions. The sanctions were also imposed by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway. The UK's foreign secretary, David Lammy, criticized the ministers for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza, labeling comments by Mr. Smotrich as "monstrous." The two ministers belong to right-wing parties that help prop up Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile coalition government.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have been sanctioned by the UK for inciting violence against Palestinians.
  • The sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze, marking a significant break with the US.
  • The UK's foreign secretary, David Lammy, criticized the ministers for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza, labeling comments by Mr. Smotrich as "monstrous."
  • The two ministers belong to right-wing parties that help prop up Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile coalition government.
  • Mr. Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza and supported the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
  • Mr. Ben-Gvir has called for Gazans to be resettled and demanded the replacement of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem with a synagogue.
  • The sanctions were also imposed by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway.
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctions, urging the reversal of the sanctions and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.

Statistics:

  • 2 Israeli ministers sanctioned by the UK
  • 4 countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway) also imposed sanctions on the ministers
  • 1 travel ban and 1 asset freeze imposed on the ministers
  • 1 month - time period during which Mr. Smotrich's comments were labeled as "monstrous" by Mr. Lammy
  • 1 year - timeframe during which Mr. Ben-Gvir made comments about not needing to bring aid to Gaza and saying resuming deliveries was a "serious and grave mistake."

Sources:

  • Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar
  • Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli security minister
  • Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli finance minister
  • David Lammy, UK's foreign secretary
  • Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
  • "The Guardian"
  • "BBC News"
  • "Al Jazeera"

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