UK sanctions far-right Israeli ministers over Gaza comments 42 minutes ago Thomas Mackintosh BBC News, London The UK has sanctioned two Israeli far-right ministers over comments they made on Gaza.
David Lammy said Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called the “unacceptable decision”.
The move comes as the UK and other Western nations seek to ramp up pressure on Israel’s government amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Ben-Gvir has called for Gazans to be resettled from the territory.
Israeli far-right ministers are sanctioned by the UK for remarks about Gaza.
Forty-two minutes prior.
Macintosh, Thomas.
BBC News, London.
Two far-right Israeli ministers have been sanctioned by the UK for remarks they made regarding Gaza.
As part of the actions announced by the foreign secretary, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both be prohibited from entering the United Kingdom and have any assets in the country frozen.
“Incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights” is what David Lammy claimed had happened between National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Smotrich?
“It is absurd that elected officials and government members are subjected to such measures,” Israel retorted. “.
Lammy declared after the sanctions were announced: “These acts are unacceptable. To hold those in charge accountable, this is the reason we are acting now.
“We will work to bring about an immediate end to the fighting in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas, which is unable to govern Gaza in the future, an increase in aid, and a two-state solution. “..”.
In response to what he described as the “unacceptable decision,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that the cabinet would convene the following week.
In the midst of the ongoing war in Gaza, the UK and other Western countries are attempting to increase pressure on Israel’s government.
“Alongside partners Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, the UK is clear that the rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank must stop,” the Foreign Office continued.
The actions against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir “cannot be seen in isolation from events in Gaza where Israel must uphold International Humanitarian Law,” the statement said.
The right-wing parties that support Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government include both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.
Their positions on the war in Gaza have drawn criticism from both parties. While Ben-Gvir has advocated for the relocation of Gazans from the region, Smotrich has run a campaign opposing the entry of aid into Gaza.
Speaking at the opening of a new settlement in the Hebron Hills, Smotrich expressed “contempt” for the UK’s action.
“We cannot repeat the attempt by Britain to stop us from settling the birthplace of our country. God willing, we are committed to carrying on with the construction. “.
Twenty months have passed since Israel began a military campaign in Gaza in retaliation for the historic cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which was led by Hamas and resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of 251 more.
Since then, the health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, has reported that at least 54,927 people have died there.
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