UK imposes sanctions on Israeli ministers over Gaza war

The British government has slammed fresh sanctions on two top Israeli ministers over their actions and inflammatory statements during the ongoing Gaza war.

According to The Times of London, the UK will impose financial and travel sanctions on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The move follows international outrage over far-right rhetoric and alleged war crimes during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the West Bank.

Ben-Gvir, a West Bank settler leader, and Smotrich, a hardline ultra-nationalist, are now banned from entering the United Kingdom.

Their UK-based assets, if any, will also be frozen immediately, government sources confirmed.

Britain now joins Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in formally penalizing Israeli officials over alleged “egregious” conduct in the occupied territories.

The UK had earlier suspended free trade talks with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador, and warned of more penalties if hostilities continue.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy blasted Israel’s offensive in Gaza as “a dark new phase in this conflict.”

He condemned recent remarks made by Smotrich, which included support for the cleansing of Gaza and the forced relocation of Palestinians to neighbouring states.

Lammy said in Parliament, “Smotrich even spoke of Israeli forces ‘cleansing’ Gaza and ‘destroying what’s left.’”

He added, “We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous.”

Lammy also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of planning to drive Gazans from their homes, isolate them in the south, and allow only limited aid access.

The sanctions follow global criticism of Israel’s military tactics, which have left thousands dead and displaced over two million Palestinians.

Humanitarian groups have accused Israel of blocking humanitarian corridors and targeting civilian zones.

Minister Ben-Gvir, a convicted former extremist, has publicly backed harsh military action and called for settlers to “retake” Gaza.

Finance Minister Smotrich sparked international outrage when he suggested relocating Gazans to “third countries” to allow Israel complete control of the enclave.

The British government said these positions are incompatible with international law and human rights norms.

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the UK’s actions as “outrageous and politically motivated.”

Sa’ar said he would meet with Netanyahu next week to craft Israel’s official response to what he called “an unacceptable decision.”

“We will not accept interference in our internal matters by any foreign government,” Sa’ar added.

Israeli officials have hinted that retaliatory diplomatic measures may follow, including restrictions on British NGOs operating in Israel and the West Bank.

Human rights groups have praised the UK’s actions as a long-overdue step toward accountability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The world await whether the United States—Israel’s closest ally—will consider similar sanctions or maintain full support for Netanyahu’s administration.

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