UK and Allies Impose Sanctions on Israeli Ministers Amid Gaza Tensions

On June 10, 2025, the United Kingdom, joined by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, announced coordinated sanctions against Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing their roles in inciting violence against Palestinians and advocating for the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. These measures, which include travel bans and asset freezes, mark a rare and pointed rebuke of sitting Israeli cabinet members and signal rising international concern over Israel’s conduct during the ongoing Gaza conflict. Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister, are both leaders of far-right parties within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. Their inflammatory rhetoric and hardline positions have drawn widespread condemnation. 

Ben-Gvir has long been associated with extremist views and has publicly supported changes to the status quo of sensitive religious sites in Jerusalem, while Smotrich has made controversial statements that appear to justify harsh measures against Palestinians and has aggressively promoted the expansion of settlements in territories considered illegal under international law. The UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, emphasized that these sanctions were aimed at specific individuals and did not reflect a broader stance against the Israeli government itself. He reiterated Britain’s support for a two-state solution and called the violence in the West Bank unacceptable. 

The surprise move, made without advance notice to Israeli authorities, underscores the growing frustration among Western allies with Israel’s current trajectory in the region. The response from the Israeli government was swift and strong. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the sanctions as unacceptable, and Prime Minister Netanyahu decried them as an infringement on Israel’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, the United States, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, criticized the sanctions and warned that such actions could hamper diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire and detract from the broader goal of countering Hamas. The U.S. has not joined in imposing penalties and instead urged its allies to concentrate on combating terrorism and supporting Israel’s right to self-defense. This unprecedented action by traditionally close allies of Israel signals a shift in international attitudes, with growing calls for accountability from Israeli leaders whose policies and rhetoric are seen as intensifying the humanitarian crisis. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, and how these diplomatic tensions unfold may significantly influence the future trajectory of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.