Ben Gvir and Smotrich Hit with Broad Sanctions by Five Major Countries

Ben Gvir and Smotrich Added to Travel Ban Lists in Five Additional Countries

In a coordinated move, five countries—namely the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway—announced on Tuesday the imposition of individual sanctions on two Israeli government ministers: National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The sanctions were introduced in response to what the five nations described as “repeated incitement to violence against Palestinians,” particularly amid escalating tensions in the West Bank.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK have today taken concrete measures against Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, in response to the incitement of serious violence in the West Bank. pic.twitter.com/WgSNbbFr0X

— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 10, 2025

The sanctions include freezing any potential assets the two ministers may hold within the territories of these countries, as well as banning their entry. In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of the five nations stated that the measures were taken in response to actions and rhetoric that encourage settlement expansion and violence against Palestinian civilians, warning that such discourse undermines prospects for peace and heightens tensions.

Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are among the most prominent figures of Israel’s far-right political sphere. Their public statements have drawn international criticism, especially their calls for the expulsion of Palestinians and their justification of settler-related violence. The sanctioning nations have accused them of fostering a climate of systemic violence, particularly in areas such as southern Nablus and Hebron.

In response, the Israeli government strongly condemned the move, describing it as unwarranted interference in its internal affairs. Both ministers reaffirmed their positions, referring to the sanctions as a “badge of honor,” while other Israeli officials hinted at a potential reassessment of diplomatic relations with some of the involved countries.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Husam Zomlot, welcomed the UK government’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

We welcome the UK Government’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. This is a long-overdue and necessary step towards advancing justice and accountability.

While these individual designations are a significant step forward, the… https://t.co/SCggnC9qgz

— Husam Zomlot (@hzomlot) June 10, 2025

Zomlot stated on his official X (formerly Twitter) account that the decision was long overdue and represents a necessary step toward enhancing justice and accountability.

The Palestinian Mission to the UK welcomes UK sanctions on Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.

Full statement: pic.twitter.com/QiqX5qw5vO

— Palestine in the UK (@PalMissionUK) June 10, 2025

He added that while these individual designations are a positive development, the broader Israeli government—led by a prime minister currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes—remains unaccountable.

Zomlot further urged the UK to expand its sanctions to cover the Israeli government as a whole and to implement a full arms embargo, in accordance with international and British law, including the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued in July 2024.

He concluded by stating that while today’s announcement is welcome, it must be accompanied—not replaced—by the UK’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. He renewed his call for the UK to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations next week.