UK and allies sanction Israeli ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich over 'monstrous' Gaza comments

Middle East Eye

a day ago

The United Kingdom and several of its allies have sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over over their "monstrous" comments about Gaza.
In a significant break from Washington, the UK is imposing asset freezes and travel bans on Israel's National Security Minister Ben Gvir - a West Bank settler - and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The two have fiercely opposed the entry of international aid into Gaza and advocated for the forced expulsion of Palestinians from the territory, with Ben Gvir has called for Israel to "encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza".
Meanwhile, Smotrich pledged last month that "Gaza will be entirely destroyed" and that Palestinians will "leave in great numbers to third countries."
Speaking to the BBC, UK Foreign Secretery David Lammy said the ministers, along with the Israeli government had been repeatedly warned against "encouraging egregious abuses of human rights."
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
"Alongside our partners, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway today, we are announcing sanctions against those individuals, because we have been absolutely clear this has to stop.
"We stand by a two state solution, and the violence that we've seen in the West Bank, particularly, is entirely unacceptable and must stop."
Smotrich vows to 'rebuild temple' during Jerusalem Day celebrations Read More »
Smotrich has long advocated for extending Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and Gaza, and across the Middle East as part of his vision of a 'Greater Israel'.
He also declared that Israel would 'apply sovereignty' in the occupied West Bank before the next Israeli general elections in October 2026.
'Within a few months, we will be able to declare that we have won. Gaza will be totally destroyed,' Smotrich said.
'In another six months, Hamas won't exist as a functioning entity.'
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Israel had been informed by the UK of its decision to impose sanctions on the two government ministers, describing the move as "outrageous".
"We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list," Saar told a press conference.
"It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kinds of measures."