Australia has faced criticism from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to its support for sanctions against two high-ranking Israeli officials. Rubio accuses the Albanese administration of ignoring what he claims is the ‘real enemy’.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the targeted sanctions through a joint announcement with officials from Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

The sanctions involve travel restrictions and financial penalties directed at National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. They have been accused of promoting ‘extremist violence and committing severe human rights violations against Palestinians’.

Mr Ben-Gvir, from the Jewish Power party, and Mr Smotrich, of the Religious Zionism Party, are members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. 

Mr Rubio strongly condemned the measures, saying they undermine efforts to end the conflict. 

‘These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,’ he said. 

‘We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. 

‘We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.’

Asked about Mr Rubio’s condemnation of the sanctions, Senator Wong said that  Australia and the US remained aligned on strategic interests but felt the measures  against these individuals were warranted.

‘We will continue to be part of the international call for aid to enter (Gaza) unhindered, unimpeded,’ Senator Wong said.

‘That is Israel’s obligation.

‘These two ministers have been the most extremist and hard line of an extremist settler enterprise, which is both unlawful and violent.

‘Australia can’t shift the dial on the Middle East by ourselves.

‘What we can do is act with others, and that’s what we’ve done.

‘We will continue to advocate for a ceasefire and the return of hostages, and we will continue to condemn Hamas and its terrorist ideology.’

The two Israeli ministers, among Israel’s most vocal politicians, have advocated for denying all humanitarian aid to Gaza, and to push the Palestinians out of the territory and claim is as part of an expanded Israeli state. 

Mr Smotrich has said he would allow ‘not even a grain of wheat’ to enter Gaza, declaring that the strip would be ‘entirely destroyed’ during the war.

Mr Ben-Gvir has called for the Palestinian population to be pushed out of Gaza, saying ‘we must encourage emigration’.

They also advocated the continued expansion of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories, which were ruled unlawful by the International Court of Justice last year. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the sanctions ‘outrageous’ and said his government would hold a meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the ‘unacceptable decision’ made by the five countries.

Although the sanctions focus on settlements in the West Bank, the foreign ministers said ‘this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza’.

The Australian Jewish Association said it was appalled by the federal government’s actions and accused it of anti-Semitism. 

‘This action represents a hostile and unjustified attack on a democratic ally and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,’ CEO Robert Gregory said.

‘This government’s willingness to engage with authoritarian regimes, including Holocaust deniers like Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, while targeting the world’s only Jewish state, exposes a disturbing double standard.

‘There is no other explanation for this disparity than blatant anti-semitism.’

The Australian Centre for International Justice applauded the decision was a significant step and would send a clear message.

‘These measures directly respond to the compelling evidence implicating Ben-Gvir and Smotrich in inciting extremist violence and serious human rights violations against Palestinians,’ acting executive director Lara Khider said.

Ambassador of Israel to Australia Amir Maimon said Senator Wong’s decision was ‘concerning and unacceptable’.

‘Serious questions must be asked about the motives behind the timing of this announcement.

‘It comes while Israel is engaged in a war against Hamas, a terrorist organisation committed to wiping Israel off the map and a key part of a broader axis of terror.

‘At this very moment, Israel is dedicating every possible effort and resource to securing the safe return of the 55 hostages still held by Hamas.’