UK imposes sanctions on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir

One of Israel’s European strategic partners, the UK has imposed personal sanctions on Finance Minister Bezarel Smotrich and Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben Gwil. The unprecedented steps were announced earlier today in accordance with similar measures taken by New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Sanctions include a ban on frozen assets and financial activities, and a travel ban. This is another step in a series of sanctions and important measures against Israel by growing groups in Western countries.

The reason for the personal sanctions against the two ministers is their statement regarding Gaza. The UK has already imposed personal sanctions on violent settlers and settler organizations related to territorial violence.

This week, Smotrich reportedly asked Israeli banks to use legal, economic and international forces to combat “unfair sanctions,” including those imposed on settlers and settler organizations. Smotrich also threatened that it would require the Bank of Israel itself to provide bank account services to citizens who are subject to sanctions if the banking system does not provide appropriate responses. “The state of Israel will not accept foreign interference on the issue and certainly will not abandon its loyal citizens in the fight against international interpretations.”

“Concrete Steps”

Now, the UK is imposeting stricter measures after threatening Israel with “sanctions” if it does not change its current policy of expansion of settlement. At the same time, Britain threatened “concrete steps” if Israel did not stop military operations in Gaza and did not ease the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The latest sanctions bring national relations to a low point, but the UK is still supplying Israel with ammunition and spare parts for its F-35 aircraft.

According to the London Times, Smotrich’s extreme statement by the Prime Minister “not let grains go into the Gaza Strip” and his call to ensure that “Gaza will be destroyed” and Ben Gwyr’s call to encourage the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza are the backdrop to a new step. British Foreign Secretary David Lamy previously described the statements by the two ministers as “monsters.” The British sanctions include a ban on British financial institutions serving the two, as well as sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs and members of the government following the war in Ukraine.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr said, “We have been informed of the UK’s decision to include two ministers on the UK sanctions list. The elected officials and government members are a scandal that is subject to these types of measures. We discussed this with Minister Netanyahu today.

Published by Globes, Israel Business News – En.Globes.co.il – June 10, 2025.

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