British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the U.K. will impose sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for inciting extremist violence and contributing to severe human rights abuses against Palestinians. The move, confirmed on Tuesday, includes freezing the ministers’ assets and enforcing travel bans. British financial institutions will also be prohibited from conducting any transactions with them.
“These actions are unacceptable,” Lammy stated, emphasizing the U.K.’s intention to hold individuals accountable for promoting extremist behavior. He described the ministers’ rhetoric as dangerous and extremist, saying: “This is why we’ve acted now.”
In response, the Israeli government called the measures “outrageous,” with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemning the decision and stating that the Cabinet will meet next week to discuss how to address the situation.
While the United States remains a firm supporter of Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, other key allies—such as Britain, Canada, and the European Union—have grown more critical of Israel’s military conduct.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza began following Hamas’s deadly attack on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,000 Israelis. Since then, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly surpassed 50,000, according to health officials in the territory.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, known as the most hardline members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, are seen as central figures maintaining his grip on power. Ben-Gvir briefly stepped down from the Cabinet during a ceasefire in January but returned in March when fighting resumed, denouncing aid deliveries to Gaza as a “serious mistake.” Smotrich, meanwhile, has endorsed settlement expansion in the West Bank and has made controversial statements, including opposing food aid to Gaza and proposing the relocation of Palestinians after the conflict ends.
The U.K. had been preparing the sanctions for several weeks, as French efforts to promote Palestinian statehood stalled. Arab nations have also called on Western governments to prioritise economic pressure.
Last week, Labour leader Keir Starmer told Parliament that Britain was “considering further measures, including sanctions,” in coordination with allies. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed similar sentiments.
In a joint statement last month, Starmer, Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. “We will not remain passive while the Netanyahu government continues these unacceptable actions,” they said, warning of more steps if the offensive and aid restrictions aren’t halted.
In Parliament, Lammy strongly denounced the statements by Israeli ministers advocating for forced relocation of Gazans. He said: “This is extremism—dangerous, vile, and monstrous—and I condemn it unequivocally.”
