UK sanctions Israeli ministers over Gaza comments Clutch Fire

The UK has sanctioned two Israeli far-right ministers over comments they made on Gaza.

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both be banned from entering the UK and will have any assets in the UK frozen as part of the measures announced by the foreign secretary.

David Lammy said Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”.

In response, Israel said: “It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.”

Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have been criticised for their stance on the war in Gaza.

Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Ben-Gvir has called for Gazans to be resettled from the territory.

After announcing the sanctions, Lammy said: “These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.

“We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called the “unacceptable decision”.

The Foreign Office added that “alongside partners Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, the UK is clear that the rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank must stop”.

In a statement it said the measures taken against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir “cannot be seen in isolation from events in Gaza where Israel must uphold International Humanitarian Law”.

Both ministers belong to right-wing parties which help to prop up Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.

As part of the coalition, Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party holds six seats while Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party holds seven seats.

Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the Hebron Hills, spoke of “contempt” for the UK’s move.

He said: “Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again. We are determined God willing to continue building.”

The possibility of sanctioning these two ministers has long been in the pipeline.

Last October, Lord Cameron said he had planned doing so when he was foreign secretary as a way of putting pressure on Israel.

The government’s decision reflects growing popular and parliamentary pressure to take further action against the Israeli government for its operations both in Gaza and the West Bank.

It also comes after a steady escalation of pressure by the UK and other allies.

Last month the leaders of Britain, France and Canada issued a joint statement saying Israel was at risk of breaking international law.

The UK also broke off trade talks with Israel.

In the Commons last month, Lammy described remarks by Smotrich about “cleansing” Gaza of Palestinians as “monstrous” and “dangerous” extremism.

• 19 May: UK, France and Canada denounce expanded Israeli offensive on Gaza and continuing blockade, warn of “concrete” response; Israeli PM calls move “huge prize” for Hamas
• 20 May: UK suspends free trade talks with Israel, sanctions settlers, and summons Israel’s ambassador; Israel foreign ministry calls move “regrettable”
• 22 May: Israeli PM links criticism of Israel by leaders of UK, France and Canada to deadly shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC on 21 May
• 10 June: UK sanctions Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for advocating forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza; Israel’s foreign minister calls move “outrageous”

Reacting to the sanctions, Conservative shadow home secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “We have been clear that the British government must leverage its influence at every opportunity to ensure the remaining hostages are released, that aid continues to reach those who need it, and a sustainable end to the conflict is achieved.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also welcomed the sanctions, but said it was “disappointing” that the Conservative government and Labour “took so long to act”.

It is 20 months since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the unprecedented Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 54,927 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.