Brussels – In a significant diplomatic move, five international allies of the European Union have imposed sanctions on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, deemed the most extreme members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet.

The nations—United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand—have accused the ministers of inciting violence and committing gross violations of Palestinian human rights.

The joint statement from these countries indicates that they have frozen the assets of both ministers and banned them from entering their territories.

The statement characterizes the ministers' rhetoric, which includes advocating for the forced displacement of Palestinians and the expansion of Israeli settlements, as "scary and dangerous," and claims that these actions are unacceptable.

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, leaders of the Religious Zionism party, have long promoted the annexation of the West Bank and reject the establishment of a Palestinian state, calling for the cancellation of the Oslo Accords that were signed in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The imposition of sanctions comes in the wake of a marked escalation in hostile rhetoric from both ministers since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Smotrich has publicly suggested that creating hardships for the population of Gaza may be justifiable, while Ben-Gvir has made statements in favor of expelling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Ben-Gvir notably left the government during ceasefire negotiations but rejoined once the discussions collapsed.

The joint statement reflects the frustration of these nations, which have reportedly engaged in extensive discussions with the Israeli government regarding what they describe as a climate of encouragement and impunity for those responsible for ongoing violence against Palestinians.

According to data from the United Nations, over the last 18 months, extremist Israeli settlers have carried out more than 1,900 attacks against Palestinian civilians.

Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that the Israeli government must adhere to its obligations under international law and calls for significant actions to counter extremist rhetoric and violence.

The five allied nations assert that these sanctions target individuals they believe pose a threat to Israel’s security and international standing.

In response, both ministers have criticized the sanctions.

Smotrich remarked on a social media platform that the United Kingdom had historically attempted to hinder Israeli settlement efforts and vowed to continue these activities.

Ben-Gvir used religious allusions in his remarks, stating, "We have overcome Pharaoh, we will also overcome the Starmer Wall."

The statement also draws a connection between the sanctions and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, underlining the importance of addressing the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during this intervention.

Additionally, the joint message reiterates opposition to any illegal transfers of Palestinian populations or the reduction of Gaza's territory.

Notably, the absence of the United States and the European Union from this collective action has drawn attention.

Within the existing EU sanctions framework concerning human rights violations, nine individuals and five entities linked to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories have already been designated.

The potential for including Smotrich and Ben-Gvir in this framework was discussed in the most recent Foreign Affairs Council, though no definitive actions have yet been taken.

As the next meeting of EU foreign ministers approaches, the possibility of revisiting the Association Agreement with Israel based on observed human rights violations may crystallize, particularly in light of these recent sanctions.