Belligerent Speeches and Entry Bans: Five Nations Slap Sanctions on Far-Right Israeli Ministers
Countries Enact Punitive Measures Against Israeli Politician Due to Instigating Activities - Official actions imposed penalties on five political figures from Israel, citing inflammatory rhetoric and utterances inciting hatred.
In a bold move, the governments of Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway have slapped travel bans and financial restrictions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli far-right politicians, due to their alarming rhetoric inciting violence and grave human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The British government went on record stating their sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes. Norway also imposed an entry ban. Unsurprisingly, the Israeli government expressed outrage over these measures.
The radical speeches perpetuated by these ministers, endorse the forced displacement of Palestinians and the establishment of new Israeli settlements. The foreign ministers of the five countries deemed this rhetoric alarming and potentially dangerous. The sanctions were primarily imposed due to the dire situation in the West Bank, but they shouldn't be disconnected from the turmoil in the Gaza Strip.
Threats of "Total Destruction" and Frozen Aid: A Glimpse into the Actions of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich
In May, Israel announced its intention to create 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Since the occupied territories of 1967, which encompass the West Bank and East Jerusalem, saw the settling of over 700,000 Israeli citizens among nearly three million Palestinians, these settlements are deemed illegal under international law.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have backed the expansion of Jewish settlements, while downplaying the violence committed by extremist settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. This violence has led to the tragic loss of civilian lives and the displacement of entire communities, all fueled by the ministers' inflammatory speeches.
Smotrich recently made headlines when he issued a chilling threat of "total destruction" of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Ben-Gvir has been a staunch opponent of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, following Israel's blockade. The five countries emphasized that the well-known two-state solution remains the sole means to secure the region's peace and long-term stability.
Netanyahu's Government to Consider Countermeasures
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar decried the imposition of such measures on elected Israeli representatives and cabinet members. A special government meeting has been scheduled for next week to devise a response to what they perceive as an unacceptable decision.
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but they are not affiliated with his political party. Both men represent far-right parties within the ruling coalition.
- Insight: The nations imposing these sanctions argue that their actions are aimed at punishing the individual ministers' offensive speeches and personal conduct, not the Israeli government as a whole. However, Smotrich claims that since he acts on behalf of Israel, the sanctions amount to punishing the nation and its citizens.
- Keywords: Italy, Finland, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland
- Additional Context: The foreign ministers of the five countries have strongly condemned incitement of violence and its grave impact on regional peace and stability. They emphasize the need to hold individuals accountable for such actions and support long-term security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Commission has also received a number of requests for information from other European countries, such as Italy, Finland, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland, expressing concern about the situation in war-and-conflicts zones, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These Member States are closely monitoring the political tension and policy-and-legislation developments surrounding the Israeli far-right ministers' actions and speeches, which have been associated with general-news items about threats, violence, and human rights abuses.
