Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two far-right Israeli government officials, were subject to sanctions by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway on Tuesday, claiming they had incited extremist violence and allowed Palestinians to suffer in the occupied West Bank. Five European countries that have traditionally supported Israel were instrumental in the planned action, which marked a sharp condemnation of Israel’s expansion of settlements and a unique political rebuke of top Israeli officials. Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the following Gaza battle, there has been more crime in the West Bank, which includes travel bans and asset freezes. The nations ‘ foreign ministers claimed in a joint declaration that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich “have incited extremist crime and serious violations of Palestinian people right.” The two ministers have been “inciting violence against Arab people for months and weeks” and “encouraging severe violations of human rights,” according to UK foreign secretary David Lammy, who is a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance. The national safety minister, Ben-Gvir, retorted fiercely, saying,” We overcame Pharaoh, we’ll overcome Starmer’s Wall,” referring to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When Israel’s foreign secretary Gideon Saar opened a new West Bank arrangement, Motrich, the finance minister, learned of the restrictions and said,” We are determined to keep constructing.” The shift reflects growing international outcry against Israel’s policies in the occupied territories. An ICC arrest warrant covers allegations that Netanyahu has committed war crimes in Gaza, which he has denied and who has accused the judge of discrimination. Prior to Donald Trump’s presidency, the Biden administration had previously imposed sanctions on aggressive Jewish settlers in the West Bank. This decision was voided. Eitay Mack, an Jewish human rights attorney who has long advocated for actions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, described the restrictions as “historic” and claimed they “break the wall of resistance Israeli officials have enjoyed.” In the 1967 war, Israel seized the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, he continued,” This is a concept to Netanyahu himself that he might be the future.” Around 3 million Palestinians reside under Israeli military power while over 500, 000 inhabitants live in communities deemed unlawful by the majority of the global community today. A two-state solution is viewed by Palestinians and several world leaders as a key challenge.
