Australia punishes two extreme right -wing Israeli ministers about Palestinian comments

Australia has issued sanctions against two of the most controversial members of the Israeli government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accused the men of inciting violence against Palestinians on the West Bank.

In a joint action by the Australian, British, Canadian, New -Zeeland and Norwegian governments, the couple will be confronted against travel prohibitions and their assets are frozen.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that the men “had set up extremist violence and serious abuse of Palestinian human rights”.

“Extremist rhetoric that argues for the forced relocation of Palestinians and the establishment of new Israeli settlements is terrible and dangerous,” she said in a joint explanation with her foreign colleagues.

“These promotions are not acceptable.

“We have extensively involved the Israeli government in this issue, but violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity.”

Ben-Gvir serves as Minister of National Security in the Coalition Alloy of Benjamin Netanyahu of the Israeli Prime Minister, while Mr Smotrich is the Minister of Finance.

Senator Wong said that the sanctions were not evidence that Australia was derived from his support for the safety of Israel, in the aftermath of Hamas’ fatal attacks Ion on October 7, 2023.

“Today’s measures are aimed at individuals who, in our opinion, undermine Israel’s own safety and the status in the world,” she said.

“We continue to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values ​​and dedication to their safety and future.

The minister also noted that the sanctions were aimed at the behavior of Mr Ben Gvir and Mr Smotrich with regard to the West Bank, but argued that the measures could not be seen “separately from the catastrophe in Gaza.”

“We remain shocked by the immense suffering of citizens, including the denial of essential help,” said Senator Wong.

“There must be no illegal transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip.”

‘Excessive’

The Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that the Israeli government had been informed about a “British decision to include two of our ministers on the list of British sanctions”.

“It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subject to these types of measures,” he said.

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

They are two of the most pronounced extreme right-wing politicians who called for the expansion of settlements on the West Bank, of which the International Court of Justice ruled that they were illegal in 2024.

At the end of last month, the Israeli government announced plans to draw up 22 new settlements in the West Bank and to legalize some that had already been built without the government’s approval.

The couple also agitated for continuing to fight in Gaza and the return of Jewish settlements in the comic.

Mr. Smotrich said that he would “not even have a grain wheat” to enter Gaza, adding that the strip would be “completely destroyed” during the war.

Ben-Gvir has called on the fact that the Palestinian population is being pushed out of Gaza and says, “We have to encourage emigration.”

He has also repeatedly fed tensions in the old city of Jerusalem by stating that Jewish people can pray on the Temple Mount, something that is exclusively reserved for Muslim consuming and the replacement of the al-Aqsa mosque by a synagogue.

The Minister of National Security also has a number of criminal convictions against him, including inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization.

Fourteen days ago the men joined the nationalist Israelis who marched through the old city on Jerusalem Day, where some participants sang slogans such as ‘Death to Arabs’ and ‘may your village burn’.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are hit back

The sanctions were first reported by the British newspaper The Times, which encouraged early reactions from Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr. Smotrich, aimed at the British government.

“We have passed Pharaoh, we will also pass the Wall of Starmer,” said Mr. Ben-Gvir.

“I will continue to work for the state of Israel and the people of Israel without fear or intimidation.”

Mr. Smotrich said he had contaminated the decision with contempt.

“Great -Britain has already tried to prevent us from establishing the birthplace of our home country, and we can’t do it again,” he said.

“We are determined that God is willing to continue building.”

In recent weeks, the VK has tightened his criticism of Israel and Prime Minister Keir Starmer in advance Sanctions against Israel in a joint explanation with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Israel’s humanitarian blockade of Gaza is downright criticized by leaders, with the French president Emmanuel Macron as “embarrassing” as “embarrassing.”