The United Kingdom has imposed targeted sanctions on two senior far-right Israeli government ministers, accusing them of inciting violence and obstructing peace efforts in the occupied West Bank. The move marks a rare rebuke of high-ranking officials from an allied state and signals growing international concern over the actions of Israel’s most hard-line political figures.
The Foreign Office announced on Tuesday that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir would face asset freezes and travel bans. According to the UK government, both men have contributed to instability through inflammatory rhetoric and policies that undermine hopes for a negotiated two-state solution. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described their conduct as “not only inconsistent with international norms but actively detrimental to peace and security in the region.”
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are leading figures in Israel’s far-right Religious Zionism and Jewish Power parties, respectively. They have long advocated for Jewish settlement expansion and have resisted calls for de-escalation amid mounting violence in the West Bank. Both have also made statements that appear to justify collective punishment or the displacement of Palestinians—positions widely condemned by human rights groups and many Western governments.
This is the first time that the UK has placed sanctions on sitting Israeli cabinet ministers. The decision follows a period of intense diplomatic pressure, including calls from British lawmakers and NGOs for a more assertive stance in response to what they see as a deterioration of Israeli democratic norms and increased aggression in occupied territories.
Israel’s government has reacted with strong condemnation. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office labelled the move “hostile and unjustified,” and called on London to reverse the decision. Israeli diplomats have also suggested that the sanctions may have negative consequences for bilateral relations, which have historically been close despite periodic disagreements.
International reaction has been mixed. European officials have expressed quiet support for the UK’s action, though most EU countries have so far refrained from adopting similar measures. In Washington, the Biden administration has not commented directly on the sanctions but has reiterated its call for restraint and adherence to international law.
The UK’s move comes amid a broader shift in tone from Western capitals toward the Netanyahu government, particularly as violence between Israelis and Palestinians intensifies. Recent months have seen repeated settler attacks, IDF raids, and civilian casualties, with Palestinian deaths at their highest levels in years. Humanitarian organisations have warned of a rapidly worsening crisis, and analysts fear that the breakdown of political moderation in Israel is feeding instability on the ground.
By singling out Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, Britain appears to be drawing a line between mainstream Israeli policy and the actions of its most radical elements. Whether this will affect behaviour on the ground remains to be seen. But symbolically, the UK has sent a clear message: inflammatory rhetoric and policies that threaten peace will not be tolerated, even from close allies.
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