5 Nations Sanction Israeli Ministers Over Incitement of West Bank Violence
The United Kingdom and four allied countries—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway—on Tuesday announced sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and obstructing prospects for a two-state solution.
The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, follow inflammatory remarks by both ministers about Gaza and the Palestinian population. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the measures target those who “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights,” calling their rhetoric “dangerous” and “monstrous.”
The US opposed the move. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.” US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee added the decision was “shocking” and counterproductive to regional stability.
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In response, Smotrich ordered the cancellation of a key banking indemnity agreement that allows Israeli banks to process transactions for their Palestinian counterparts. This agreement is vital to the Palestinian economy, which uses the Israeli shekel and lacks a central bank of its own.
The Biden administration had urged Israel not to cancel the deal, warning that severing banking ties would push the West Bank toward a cash-only economy. Officials said such a move could cripple the Palestinian Authority’s ability to govern, weaken efforts to curb terrorist groups, and create a financial vacuum that would benefit Hamas and other extremists. Israel’s own security establishment previously echoed those concerns.
At a ceremony for a new settlement near Hebron, Smotrich said, “We are determined to continue building.” Ben-Gvir added, “We survived Pharaoh. We will also survive Keir Starmer.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the sanctions “outrageous” and said Israel’s cabinet would meet next week to consider a formal response.
