UK sanctions two far-right Israeli ministers as it ramps up pressure over Gaza

10 June 2025, 14:01 | Updated: 10 June 2025, 19:25

Two Israeli government ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have been sanctioned by the UK.

Mr Ben-Gvir, the security minister, and Mr Smotrich, the finance minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government will both face a travel ban and see their assets frozen.

The move comes as the UK and other Western nations seek to ramp up pressure on Israel’s government amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel’s foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa’ar said it was “outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures”.

Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right wing parties which help to prop up Mr Netanyahu’s fragile coalition government.

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Both have been criticised for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza.

Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has called for its residents be resettled from the territory.

Israel’s foreign minister has said it is “outrageous” that the UK has sanctioned two of the country’s government ministers.

Gideon Sa’ar said he had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that an Israeli response would be discussed at a meeting early next week.

He said: “We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list.

“It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.

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

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Israel’s Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation, told LBC News the announcement of sanctions was disappointing.

She said: "It's really not what allies do. There are always some unsavoury characters in politics that say some silly things. I'm not here to defend Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and everything they've said, but they are ministers who are democratically elected and they also do not reflect government policy".

However the sanctions have been welcomed by Qatar - which has mediated ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in recent months.

Majed Al-Ansari - who speaks for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs - told LBC's Andrew Marr: "We need to sanction the voices of hate on all sides. This language cannot be accepted in the international community, we cannot hear something like this being said by a government official that represents a government that's a member of the UN.

"We commend the UK government for their decision and hope that other governments follow suit".