Five Countries Imposed Sanctions Against Israeli Ministers for Incitement to Violence
Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the region and increased tensions, several leading countries have taken a decisive step — they have imposed sanctions on high-ranking Israeli officials, accusing them of inciting violence and violations of human rights. Specifically, these include the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia, which issued an official decision to ban their entry and freeze assets of two key figures — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Details of the Decision and Official Reactions According to news agencies, including Reuters, the sanctions comprise not only a travel ban to countries of the Council of Europe but also the freezing of any financial assets and accounts held in these countries. International diplomatic circles note that these measures serve as a signal of the international community’s condemnation of the actions of Israeli officials, as well as emphasizing the inadmissibility of inciting and aggressive rhetoric. In a joint statement, foreign ministers stated that “Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich incited extremist violence and gross violations of Palestinian rights.” The document emphasizes that such actions are categorically unacceptable and should be held accountable by relevant international bodies. The statement underscores that the five sanctioning countries “have always stood and will continue to stand for human rights,” and stresses the need for a humanitarian approach — particularly ensuring access to aid for peaceful residents, halting all forms of illegal Palestinian migration from Gaza, and implementing a moratorium on any territorial reductions in the sector. Israeli Reaction and International Dynamics In response to these measures, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the sanctions “outrageous” and promised that the government would consider all possible responses. He added that Israel would hold a special session early next week to determine further tactics in reaction to the decision of its international partners. The foreign minister was also outraged that countries which typically support diplomatic dialogue are now perceiving Israeli measures as an attempt to deny Israel’s right to defend itself. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in turn, accused the countries imposing sanctions of aiming to help the Palestinian radical group Hamas and of being on the “wrong side of history.” He emphasized that any external influence on Israel’s policies during this challenging period is unacceptable and undermines the country’s security. U.S. Reaction The United States, traditionally one of Israel’s main allies, sharply condemned the decision of the five countries and called for its reversal. State Department spokeswoman Samantha Bruey stated that “the sanctions imposed on Israeli ministers do not contribute to achieving peace and security in the region.” In her statement, she stressed that the U.S. urges support for dialogue and humanitarian efforts, including the effective work of U.S. Special Envoy David Satterfield and humanitarian organizations in Gaza, aimed at alleviating human suffering and preventing escalation of violence. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Twitter that “sanctions do not help efforts to cease fire, return hostages, or reduce the level of conflict.” He underscored that Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for terrible crimes, holding innocent people hostage, and actively obstructing peace initiatives. U.S. authorities call on international partners not to ignore this reality, maintain unity in the fight against terrorism, and support diplomatic efforts. Background and Wave of International Events Israel’s foreign policy has recently come under attack following a significant rocket attack and extensive military operation in Gaza launched in October 2023. Israeli forces responded to the Hamas attack, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 individuals — an event that prompted a large-scale military campaign. The military operations led to the destruction of large parts of the Palestinian sector, including residential areas and infrastructure. Official figures indicate that over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured due to active fighting and airstrikes. The international community, especially in May, highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called on the Israeli government to end the blockade, which is already causing hunger and severe suffering among civilians. Calls for Humanitarian Support and Potential Sanctions Currently, several European countries and allies have expressed concern regarding the situation and called on the Israeli cabinet to reconsider its policies. In May, leaders from the UK, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging to halt the blockade and stop military operations. They threatened to impose “concrete measures” if the humanitarian situation in Gaza does not improve and the military campaign continues. Thus, the international community demonstrates solidarity in condemning violence and calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that respects humanitarian rights of civilians. However, a series of sanctions and diplomatic statements once again underscore the complexity and intensity of the struggle for stability in this geopolitically sensitive region, leaving many questions about the future and possible pathways out of the crisis.