US drops support for independent Palestinian state
Australian joined Britain and other allies in imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over 'their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities'.
Canada, New Zealand and Norway also agreed to freeze assets of the two ministers and impose travel bans on Israel's national security minister Ben Gvir – a West Bank settler – and finance minister Smotrich.
'Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable,' British foreign minister David Lammy, along with the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said in a joint statement.
'This is why we have taken action now to hold those responsible to account.'
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the move was 'outrageous' and the government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the 'unacceptable decision'.
Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the Hebron Hills, spoke of 'contempt' for Britain's move.
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