Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, centre
Share this @internewscast.com

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich face asset freezes and travel bans from the five countries.

The ministers are champions of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, centre
Surrounded by security guards, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, centre, participates in march marking Jerusalem Day, an Israeli holiday celebrating the capture of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, in Damascus Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City, Monday, May 26, 2025 (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

The choice made by Western governments allied with Israel represents a significant admonishment of Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank and the rise in settler violence, which has intensified following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, sparking the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The foreign ministers of the five countries issued a joint statement condemning Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, stating that they “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”

Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said earlier it had been informed of the sanctions.

Smotrich, who serves as the country’s finance minister, revealed on social media that he learned about Britain’s decision to sanction him for impeding the feasibility of a Palestinian state. “We are determined to continue building,” he declared.

“We overcame Pharoah, we’ll overcome Starmer’s Wall,” Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, wrote on social media.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the move “outrageous.” He said he had discussed it with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and they would meet next week to discuss Israel’s response.

The Biden administration took the rare step of sanctioning radical Israeli settlers implicated in violence in the occupied West Bank — sanctions that were then lifted by US President Donald Trump.

Eitay Mack, an Israeli human rights lawyer who spent years campaigning for the sanctions on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir — along with violent West Bank settlers — described the move as “historic.”

“It means the wall of immunity that Israeli politicians had has been broken,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable that it took so long for Western governments to sanction Israeli politicians, and the fact that it’s being done while Trump is president is quite amazing,” said Mack.

“It is a message to Netanyahu himself that he could be next.”

Israel captured the West Bank along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want those territories for their hoped-for future state.

Settlement growth and construction have been promoted by successive Israeli governments stretching back decades, but it has exploded under Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, which has settlers in key Cabinet posts.

There are now well over 100 settlements and 500,000 Israeli settlers sprawling across the territory from north to south — a reality, rights groups say, dimming any hopes for an eventual two-state solution.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Howard Advises Liberals to Reconsider Gender Quotas

Liberal veteran John Howard has warned against recent efforts to implement quotas…

Donald Trump Celebrates Victory as Tax and Spending Bill is Passed by US Congress

Key Points Donald Trump’s major tax and spending legislation has successfully passed…
Anthony Albanese keynote speech in Washington tipped to 'ruffle feathers'

Prime Minister Expected to Make Waves in Washington with Major Address

The Prime Minister is expected to create a stir in Washington this…

Why the Emergence of This New Fire Ant Nest is a Nationwide Concern

The NSW government has confirmed the detection of a fire ant nest…

Devastating Texas Floods Claim Over 43 Lives; Numerous Children Still Unaccounted For

Some 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash…
Two teenagers charged after allegedly crashing stolen car into tow truck on the Gold Coast

Teens Arrested Following Alleged Mercedes Theft and Collision with Tow Truck

Two teenagers have been charged over an alleged hit and run involving…
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese keynote speech John Curtin research centre

“PM’s Discreet Note on Australia’s Independent Approach Amid US Dependence”

Anthony Albanese appeared to subtly try to indicate a move away from…
A Camp Mystic sign is seen near the entrance to the establishment along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area in Hunt, Texas, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Flash Floods in Texas Claim 37 Lives, Including 14 Children

The storm killed at least 37 people across the state, including 14…
Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz are preparing to wed for a fifth time as he proposed in a hot tub at their home in New Zealand

Noel Edmonds, 76, Plans Fifth Wedding with Wife Liz, 55, After Romantic Hot Tub Proposal in New Zealand

Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz are preparing to wed for a fifth…
Para Hill party

Vacation Home Vandalized After Over 100 Partygoers Attend Event

A wild 17th birthday party has left a major cleanup at a…
A concerned Melbourne father has uncovered that alleged paedophile Joshua Brown worked at his daughter's childcare last year.

“You Feel Disturbed”: Melbourne Dad Finds Alleged Pedophile Next to His Daughter

A concerned Melbourne father has uncovered that alleged paedophile Joshua Brown worked…
US dollars.

The World’s Leading Currency Takes an Unexpected Downturn

The Australian dollar is enjoying a resurgence as of late, but it’s…