Many countries, including the UK, will sanction far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gwil and Bezarel Smotrich over their actions during the war with Gaza, Mee reported.
On a major break from Washington, London will join Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, imposing Israeli national security minister Ben Gwyr (a settler in the West Bank) and Finance Minister Smotrich.
The two vehemently opposed the entry of international aid to Gaza, advocating for forced expulsion of Palestinians from their territory, and Sumotrich last month pledged that “Gaza will be completely destroyed” and that the Palestinians would “depart greatly to a third country.”
Meanwhile, Ben Gwyr is calling on Israel to “encourage voluntary migration of Gaza residents.”
The announcement, reported in The Times, comes after British Foreign Secretary David Lamy branded Smotrich’s comments about the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza as a “monster.”
“We have to call this what it is. It’s extremism. It’s dangerous. It’s repellent. It’s a monster, and I will blame it on the strongest possible conditions.”
As part of the vision of “great Israel,” Smotrich has long advocated for the expansion of Israeli sovereignty across the occupied West Bank and Gaza, as well as throughout the Middle East.
He also declared that he would “apply sovereignty” to the West Bank, where Israel was occupied, before the next general election in October 2026.
“Within a few months, we can declare that we have won. Gaza will be completely destroyed,” Smotrich said.
“In another six months, Hamas doesn’t exist as a functional entity.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saa said on Tuesday that he was notified of Israel’s decision from the UK to impose sanctions on two government ministers, describing the move as “outrageous.”
“We have been informed of the UK’s decision to include two ministers on the UK’s sanctions list,” Saar said at a press conference.
“It’s outrageous that elected representatives and government members are exposed to these types of measures.”