The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — accusing them of fuelling “serious abuses of Palestinian human rights” and “inciting extremist violence” in the occupied West Bank.
The sanctions, announced on Monday, include travel bans and asset freezes against both ministers. The move aligns the UK with similar actions taken by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries in recent weeks, reflecting growing international alarm over Israel’s handling of escalating settler violence in Palestinian territories.
“These individuals have used their positions of power to incite hatred and escalate tensions, contributing to widespread human rights violations,” a UK Foreign Office statement said. “The UK will not stand by while extremist rhetoric undermines prospects for peace.”
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, both key allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prominent figures in Israel’s far-right political bloc, have been widely criticized for inflammatory statements and policies that critics say encourage settler aggression and obstruct Palestinian rights.
The Israeli government has condemned the sanctions, calling them “unjust and politically motivated,” while rights groups have praised the move as a necessary step to hold officials accountable.