The United Kingdom has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers — Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — over what it called “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the occupied West Bank. As part of the sanctions announced Tuesday, both ministers are banned from entering the UK and will have any assets within British jurisdiction frozen.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that the action was coordinated with Australia, Canada, Norway, and New Zealand. “These actions are not acceptable,” Lammy said. “This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.”
Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister, and Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, have repeatedly been accused of promoting extremist rhetoric and supporting settler violence. Lammy directly blamed them for inciting “extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights” in the West Bank, where settler attacks have intensified.
International Reactions and Israeli Outrage
The sanctions drew swift condemnation from Israeli officials. In a formal response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the UK’s decision “outrageous,” stating, “It is unacceptable that elected members of a democratic government are subjected to such measures.”
Finance Minister Smotrich responded defiantly during a speech inaugurating a new settlement in the West Bank. “Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again,” he declared. “We are determined, God willing, to continue building.”
The ministers’ parties — Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit — are key players in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition, which holds a narrow parliamentary majority. Losing their support could bring down the government, highlighting how deeply tied they are to Israel’s current political structure.
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Meanwhile, U.S. officials reacted cautiously but critically. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the sanctions “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.” U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also criticized the UK’s move as “shocking.”
Ties to Violence and Settler Expansion
UK officials pointed to a surge in settler violence in the West Bank as a driving reason for the sanctions. Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer told Parliament that 2024 had seen the “worst settler violence” in two decades. He emphasized that the actions of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir had led to “deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of entire towns.”
The UK’s Foreign Office stressed that the sanctions could not be viewed in isolation from Israel’s conduct in Gaza. It said in a statement: “The rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers must stop… Israel must uphold international humanitarian law.”
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have also been widely criticized for opposing humanitarian aid to Gaza and calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside the territory — remarks viewed as extreme even within Israel.
Escalating International Pressure on Israel
The sanctions mark a notable escalation in international pressure on Israel over its handling of both Gaza and the West Bank. Last month, the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement warning that Israel was at risk of breaching international law. The UK also suspended ongoing trade talks with Israel.
The move to sanction these ministers had been in planning for months. Former Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron revealed he had intended to pursue similar measures during his term. Now, amid growing public and parliamentary calls for accountability, the UK has acted.
The coordinated sanctions by five countries underscore increasing global frustration with Israel’s far-right leadership. As international scrutiny intensifies, the move sends a strong signal that incitement and violence — even from top officials — will not be tolerated.