UK and Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers Over West Bank Violence

Britain and four allied nations—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway—imposed sanctions on Tuesday against two senior Israeli cabinet ministers, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The targeted individuals, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, are both settlers and influential figures in Israel’s far-right government.

The coordinated action includes asset freezes and travel bans, marking a rare and bold stance from countries traditionally seen as close allies of Israel. The sanctions reflect growing international concern over what the nations described as “extremist violence and serious human rights abuses” committed under the ministers’ watch.

In a joint statement, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his counterparts said: “These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now to hold those responsible to account.”

READ ALSO: Dollar and Yuan Holds Firm as U.S.-China Trade Talks Show Progress

The decision, however, sparked a swift backlash from the United States, signaling a notable rift among Western allies. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, posting on X (formerly Twitter), condemned the move, arguing that it undermines American-led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and de-escalate the ongoing war.

“We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization,” Rubio wrote. “We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.”

Israeli officials also denounced the sanctions. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the move “outrageous,” and announced that the Israeli government would convene a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond.

Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new Jewish settlement in the Hebron Hills, dismissed the sanctions with “contempt” and reaffirmed his commitment to continued settlement expansion.

As the diplomatic fallout unfolded, the United States took a parallel step by imposing sanctions on a prominent Palestinian human rights group and five Middle Eastern and European charities, alleging links to Palestinian militant organizations, including Hamas.

This escalating series of punitive actions from both sides of the conflict’s international supporters underscores the deepening divisions over how to address violence in the West Bank and the broader Israel-Gaza crisis.