UK and allies sanction two far-right Israeli ministers

Britain and four allies—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway—have sanctioned two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, for inciting violence against Palestinians during the ongoing Gaza conflict. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes, marking a significant departure from the U.S. stance on Israel. The joint statement from the foreign ministers emphasized the need to hold accountable those responsible for extremist actions and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza while supporting Israel’s security and the pursuit of a two-state solution.