U.K. and Canada to Sanction Israeli Far-Right Ministers Amid Gaza Crisis

In a significant diplomatic shift, the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada announced their intention to impose sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers — Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister. This coordinated action, expected to be embraced by other Western allies, signals a move away from the historically supportive stance that Washington had taken towards Israel, particularly as tensions escalate over the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

These sanctions, scheduled for announcement on Tuesday, will restrict travel and freeze the financial assets of the two officials in Canada and the UK, reflecting a stern response to the Israeli government's military actions and policies in Gaza. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar labeled the sanctions “outrageous” and announced plans for an extraordinary government meeting to formulate a response to what he termed an “unacceptable decision.”

The sanctions have been in development for weeks, gaining momentum following a united condemnation from Canada, Britain, and France regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. A previous united statement emphasized the need for Israel to halt its military offensives and allow humanitarian aid access or face substantial further actions from the Western nations.

During a parliamentary session in late May, the UK’s foreign secretary David Lammy criticized Israel's aggressive stance, announcing the suspension of trade talks and condemning Minister Smotrich's incendiary rhetoric concerning Gaza. “We must call this what it is,” Lammy asserted. “It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous,” underscoring the moral imperative to address the situation. This recent development reflects both growing international concern and a shift in geopolitical alliances as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists.