The United Kingdom formally imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in a move that has sparked significant diplomatic tension.
The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, were announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, a notable escalation in the UK’s response to controversial actions and statements by the two ministers regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Why Were Ben-Gvir and Smotrich Sanctioned?
The UK’s sanctions target Ben-Gvir and Smotrich due to their “abhorrent” and “incendiary” comments, which have been widely condemned as violations of international law and incitements to violence.
Specific reasons include:
Bezalel Smotrich’s Statements:
- As Finance Minister and a minister overseeing settlement affairs in the Defense Ministry, Smotrich has advocated policies seen as problematic
- Notably, in August 2024, he suggested that starving two million Gazans might be “justified and moral” to secure the release of Israeli hostages, a statement that drew international outrage.
- He has also called for the erasure of Palestinian villages like Huwwara in the West Bank and proposed annexing the West Bank with expanded Jewish settlements, which violates international law.
- His 2017 “Decisive Plan” explicitly called for Palestinian emigration to enable Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Actions:
- As National Security Minister, Ben-Gvir has been accused of enabling settler violence in the West Bank by directing police to take a lax approach to enforcement.
- He has praised settlers as heroes.
- Ben-Gvir has also supported stopping humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza and has advocated for the resettlement of Gaza by Israelis.
- His provocative actions, like storming the Al-Aqsa compound with settlers, have further inflamed tensions.
The UK’s move comes amid growing international concern over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and escalating settler violence in Judea and Samaria. The sanctions build on earlier UK measures against settler outposts and organizations. The Labour government, under Starmer, has taken a tougher stance than its Conservative predecessor, including limiting arms exports to Israel and suspending trade talks, citing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
The decision was first proposed by former Foreign Secretary David Cameron in early 2024, who described the ministers as “extremists” for encouraging settler violence and obstructing Gaza aid.
Plans were stalled due to the UK’s July 2024 election but gained momentum after Starmer’s government faced pressure from Labour MPs, human rights groups, and over 160 Israelis in the UK via the Yachad campaign, who accused the ministers of undermining democracy and international law.
Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout
Ben-Gvir’s Response:
- He expressed contempt for the UK, referencing the 1939 British White Paper that limited Jewish immigration to Mandatory Palestine, saying, “The days of the mandate are over.”
Smotrich’s Response:
- Similarly unyielding, Smotrich said, “No threat will prevent me from doing the right and moral thing for the citizens of Israel.”
- He echoed Ben-Gvir’s dismissal of British influence, accusing the UK of hypocrisy and comparing its actions to colonial-era policies. Both ministers framed the sanctions as an attack on Israel’s sovereignty, vowing to continue their policies.
Israeli Government:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the sanctions, but sources suggest he faces pressure to manage coalition dynamics, as both ministers are key to his government’s survival. In 2024, both threatened to collapse the coalition over a Gaza ceasefire deal, indicating their influence.
Implications
The sanctions are a bold signal from the UK, aiming to pressure Israel over its policies in Gaza and the West Bank. Practically, they could restrict Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s financial transactions and travel, potentially isolating them internationally and encouraging other Western allies to follow suit. However, their immediate impact may be limited, as Israeli banks can freeze accounts, but the ministers’ domestic influence remains strong, given their critical role in Netanyahu’s coalition.
The sanctions will likely deepen UK-Israel tensions, with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s defiance suggesting no immediate policy shift. Netanyahu may face coalition pressure, as both ministers have previously threatened to exit over Gaza policies. The UK’s move could inspire other nations, but without U.S. or EU consensus, its impact will likely remain limited.
