Western Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers Over West Bank

The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway have jointly imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians and supporting illegal settlements in the West Bank. The measures, described as 'Magnitsky-style' sanctions, were announced in response to the ministers' extremist rhetoric, public calls for the displacement of Palestinians, and support for expanding settlements. Israel's government has condemned the sanctions as 'outrageous' and is planning a formal response, while the United States criticized the move, saying it does not assist efforts to end the Gaza conflict. The coordinated action marks a sharp rebuke from Israel's traditional Western allies and reflects mounting frustration with Israeli policies in Gaza and the West Bank. Despite the measures, the sanctioning countries reiterated their support for Israel's security and condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks. The sanctions reinforce international calls for renewed Middle East peace efforts.