Foreign Minister Penny Wong reveals Australian sanctions against Israeli Ministers for 'inciting violence against Palestinians'

Sky News AU

a day ago

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the Australian government will officially sanction two Israeli Ministers for "inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank".
In a late night press release, Senator Wong revealed Australia, alongside Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, had moved to impose sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Mr Ben-Gvir acts as Israel's National Security Minister and Mr Smotrich as the nation's Finance Minister.
Both are among the hardline, pro-settlement faction with the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and have repeatedly advocated for Israel to expand its controversial operations in the West Bank.
In the Foreign Minister's statement, both Ministers are accused of encouraging settler violence toward Palestinians in the territory, with the Australian government freezing assets linked to the pair in the country as well as imposing travel bans.
"Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution," the statement read.
"Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.
"Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.
"Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable."
The move is likely to spark outrage in Israel, which has long defended its actions in the West Bank despite international pressure to end the construction of illegal settlements in the region.
It is also set to place further scrutiny on Labor, which has come under intense criticism from Jewish groups over its response to the war in Gaza and the rise of antisemitic incidents in Australia.
The government was quick to claim its decision did not detract from its support of Israel, with the statement adding Australia wanted to continue "a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future".
"The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel's security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas," the statement read.
"Today's measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel's own security and its standing in the world."
This is a developing story, more to come.