Australia imposes Magnitsky-style sanctions on two hardline Israeli ministers
Australia has imposed Magnitsky-style sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers for their roles in serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, in a move that marks a significant escalation in Canberra's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been subjected to targeted financial sanctions and travel bans, effective from Tuesday, June 11. The two hardline figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government are accused of inciting and supporting systemic violence against Palestinians and aggressively expanding illegal Israeli settlements.
The sanctions align Australia with Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, which jointly issued a statement condemning the ministers' conduct and reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution.
'We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution… but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion,' the joint statement read. 'Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.'
Under Australia's Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, such measures can be applied against individuals responsible for serious violations of human rights, including the right to life, protection from torture, and freedom from slavery. The sanctions carry significant legal weight, with Australians found to be dealing with the sanctioned individuals' assets facing penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment or fines reaching $825,000.
Both Israeli ministers have long been outspoken proponents of the settlement movement and the ongoing war in Gaza. Smotrich, who oversees the Settlements Administration, has approved sweeping expansions of settlements. On May 29, Israel announced 22 new outposts in the West Bank, marking the largest expansion in decades. Analysts say the move is designed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Smotrich has also made inflammatory public remarks, including stating that Gaza 'will be entirely destroyed' and suggesting Palestinians be forced to emigrate. Last year, he indicated that the deaths of 2 million Palestinians by starvation in Gaza might be 'justified,' comments that drew rebukes from allies including Germany.
Ben-Gvir, who controls Israeli police forces, has provided thousands of assault rifles to civilian settlers. He has publicly called for turning 'the world upside down' in support of settler militias. On May 26, he joined a far-right march through Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter, where chants of 'death to Arabs' were heard. He has also advocated for replacing the al-Aqsa mosque with a synagogue and encouraged the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
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