Don't forget who real enemy is, U.S. warns Lammy over sanctions of two Israeli ministers over ‘egregious abuses' of human rights in Gaza

Daily Mail​

a day ago

The White House has criticised Britain's decision to sanction two Israeli ministers over 'egregious abuses' of human rights in Gaza.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the travel ban and asset freeze imposed on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should be reversed.
He urged the UK 'not to forget who the real enemy is' and said the sanctions hindered the US's ceasefire efforts.
In a major break with the US, the UK this week joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in imposing sanctions on the two Israeli ministers.
Mr Smotrich, the finance minister, and Mr Ben-Gvir, the security minister, both belong to Right-wing parties that help to prop up Benjamin Netanyahu 's coalition government.
They have both been criticised for their hardline stance. Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, and supported the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
Meanwhile, Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled out of the territory.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the ministers had been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights'.
But Mr Rubio tweeted: 'These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home and end the war.
'We reject any notion of equivalence – Hamas is a terrorist organisation that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.'
Mr Ben-Gvir thanked Mr Rubio for his comments, writing: 'The American administration is a moral compass in the face of the confusion of some Western countries that choose to appease terrorist organizations like Hamas.
'History will judge the Chamberlains of our time.'
Yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Acting alongside our allies, we have sanctioned individuals responsible for inciting appalling settler violence and expansion. We've done that to uphold human rights and defend the prospect of a two-state solution.'
Downing Street said the two men had been sanctioned in their 'personal capacities'.