The governments of the U.K. and Canada are set to impose sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers as global criticism of Israel's military actions grows.
U.K. and Canada Announce Sanctions Against Extremist Israeli Ministers
U.K. and Canada Announce Sanctions Against Extremist Israeli Ministers
Sanctions target Israeli officials amid escalating humanitarian concerns in Gaza, signaling a shift in Western policies.
The U.K. and Canada are preparing to impose sanctions on two far-right ministers in Israel, reflecting a calming shift among Western nations towards the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This coordinated action is anticipated to be echoed by additional allies, indicating an increasingly hardline approach towards Israel's conduct in the conflict.
Scheduled for announcement on Tuesday, the sanctions aim to restrict the travel rights and freeze the financial assets of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, within the borders of Canada and the U.K., according to officials familiar with the discussions.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar characterized the sanctions as "outrageous," emphasizing Israel's displeasure with these measures targeting government officials. “It is unacceptable that elected representatives face such penalties,” he expressed following communication with Prime Minister Netanyahu. A special government meeting has been planned for early next week to devise an official response to these sanctions.
The decision to sanction these officials has been under consideration for several weeks. It follows a stark statement jointly issued by Canada, the U.K., and France, condemning the humanitarian situation in Gaza and threatening further actions unless Israel ceases military operations and allows humanitarian aid.
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been vocal about Israel's recent military conduct, asserting that discussions for a trade agreement will be suspended. He specifically condemned comments made by Smotrich regarding Gaza, referring to them as "extremism" that is "dangerous, repellent, and monstrous."
This diplomatic rift indicates a significant shift in Western responses to the Israel-Palestine conflict, as countries reconsider their historical support in light of current humanitarian concerns.
