UK sanctions two Israeli ministers over ‘monstrous’ Gaza feedback

The UK has sanctioned two Israeli government ministers, according to reports.

Security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who serve in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, will both face a travel ban and see their assets frozen.

The move comes as the UK and other Western nations seek to ramp up pressure on Israel’s government amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right-wing parties which help to prop up Mr Netanyahu’s fragile coalition government. Both have been criticised for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza.

Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza’s people to be resettled from the territory.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month fiercely criticised Mr Smotrich, after he had said Israel’s army would wipe out what is left of Gaza. “No more raids and going in and out, but conquering, cleansing and remaining until Hamas is destroyed,” Mr Smotrich said. “We are destroying what is still left of the Strip.”

Mr Lammy told MPs: “We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”

Earlier today, Keir Starmer told Sky News the situation in Gaza “is intolerable and it’s getting worse”. The Prime Minister said: “I think anybody looking at what’s going on in Gaza, would be shocked, and that’s why we do need to get back to a ceasefire, urgently.

“It’s why we need to get the remaining hostages out, they’ve been there a very long time. And of course, humanitarian aid needs to get in at volume and at speed.”

The PM said the UK has been talking to other partners about what more the country can do, “including questions of sanctions”. He added: “My strong belief is, when we make a move, if we’re able to do that in company of other countries, that’s a stronger move than doing it on our own. So that’s the basic approach that we’re taking. But we are working on what more we could do.”

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said it is “outrageous” that the UK has sanctioned two of the country’s government ministers. Mr Sa’ar said he had spoken with Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu and that an Israeli response would be discussed at a meeting early next week.

He said: “We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.

“I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”