What's happened
On June 10, 2025, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting violence against Palestinians. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned these actions, emphasizing the need for unity against Hamas and urging reversal of the sanctions.
What's behind the headline?
Implications of Sanctions
- The sanctions against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir highlight a growing rift between Israel and its traditional allies, particularly the US, which has historically supported Israeli leadership.
- The actions taken by the UK and other nations reflect increasing international concern over human rights abuses in the occupied territories, particularly in light of the recent escalation of violence.
- The sanctions may pressure the Israeli government to reconsider its hardline policies, especially as they come amid calls for a two-state solution.
- The response from Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, indicates a defensive posture, suggesting that the government may double down on its current strategies rather than seek compromise.
- The situation underscores the complexities of international diplomacy in the region, where actions taken by one country can have ripple effects on broader geopolitical dynamics.
What the papers say
According to The New Arab, the sanctions were described as necessary to hold accountable those inciting violence, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stating, "These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now." In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the sanctions, arguing they do not support efforts for peace, saying, "These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire." This divergence illustrates the differing priorities between the US and its allies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Furthermore, Bloomberg reported that the sanctions mark a rare break from the US's unwavering support for Israel, emphasizing the growing international scrutiny of the Israeli government's actions.
How we got here
The sanctions stem from ongoing violence in the West Bank, where Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have been accused of inciting extremist actions against Palestinians. This marks a significant shift in international relations, particularly between these nations and Israel, amid rising global criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza.
Go deeper
- What led to the imposition of these sanctions?
- How has Israel responded to the sanctions?
- What are the implications for the peace process?
Common question
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What Are the Recent Sanctions on Israeli Ministers About?
On June 10, 2025, several countries imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir due to their inflammatory rhetoric against Palestinians. This action has sparked significant debate about international relations and the ongoing Gaza conflict. Below, we explore the implications of these sanctions and the varied responses from around the world.
More on these topics
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Bezalel Yoel Smotrich is an Israeli politician. The leader of Tkuma, he is currently a member of the Knesset for the Yamina alliance.
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David Lindon Lammy PC FRSA is a British Labour Party politician serving as Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000, and has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
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New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands, covering a total area of 268,021 square kilometres.
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Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe whose mainland territory comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula; Mainland Norway and the remote island of Jan Mayen as well as the archi
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Gideon Moshe Sa'ar is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the political party Likud between 2003 and 2014, and held cabinet posts of Education Minister and then of Minister of the Interior, from 2009 to 2014.