The UK is considering sanctions against Israeli ministers Itmir Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smutrich due to their controversial statements and actions regarding the West Bank. This potential move underscores growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and marks a shift in the UK’s approach to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a bold move, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the UK government is considering imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itmir Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smutrich. The reason behind these potential sanctions lies in the troubling activities carried out in the West Bank and the controversial statements made by these ministers. The situation has sparked international attention, especially as these two Israeli ministers are known for their staunch support of illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a territory that is under Israeli occupation and whose settlements are deemed illegal under international law.
Ben Gvir, who serves as Israel’s National Security Minister, and Smutrich, the country’s Finance Minister, have come under severe criticism globally for their hardline views. Smutrich, in particular, faced global backlash after suggesting that Gaza’s population could be starved in order to force Palestinian militants to release Israeli hostages. These inflammatory remarks and their direct involvement in supporting the expansion of settlements have raised questions about their roles in worsening the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This week, former British Foreign Secretary David Cameron revealed that the previous Conservative government was also considering similar measures against Israeli extremist politicians. Now, with a potential sanctions policy in place, Starmer’s Labour government is escalating its stance on the ongoing conflict, especially following the October 7 Hamas attack last year that saw an increase in violence across the West Bank.
The situation in the Gaza Strip has been a central focus of international attention, especially with reports emerging of two weeks of no food entering northern Gaza, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. British Foreign Minister David Lemmy confirmed that the UK, along with France and Algeria, had called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to address the deteriorating situation.
Meanwhile, France has taken its own measures by banning Israeli companies from participating in a military-naval trade show, further straining the relationship between the two countries. French President Emmanuel Macron has been vocal about his stance, repeatedly calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and questioning Israeli military actions in Lebanon. Netanyahu, in response, has sharply criticized France’s role in the conflict, pointing to historical grievances and accusing France of attempting to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense.
These developments are indicative of growing tensions between Israel and its Western allies, raising the question: will Britain follow through on its proposed sanctions, and what impact will this have on the already fragile state of affairs in the Middle East?
