In a coordinated move, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Norway have imposed targeted sanctions on two of Israel’s most hard-line cabinet ministers—National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—citing their “incitement of extremist violence” and advocacy for forced displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Sanctions Regime and Rationale
Under the new measures, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich face asset freezes within the sanctioning countries’ jurisdictions and travel bans barring entry. In a joint statement, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the ministers’ rhetoric as “appalling and dangerous,” accusing them of undermining both Palestinian human rights and Israel’s long-term security.
“Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new settlements is unacceptable,”
Wong said, stressing the sanctions target individuals, not the State of Israel.
US Reaction: ‘Counterproductive to Peace’
The decision drew swift rebuke from the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued the sanctions “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, or end the war,” and warned they risk equating Israel’s democratically elected ministers with terrorist organisations.
“We reject any notion of equivalence,” Rubio said, adding that Hamas, not the Israeli government, is “the real enemy” in the Gaza conflict.
Additional condemnation from Ambassador Amir Maimon
The Ambassador of the State of Israel to Australia, Amir Maimon, has likewise decried the sanctions as “deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable.”
In a statement, he emphasised that these ministers act under a principle of collective responsibility and questioned the timing of the decision amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. Maimon warned that imposing such measures while Israel is focused on securing the release of 55 hostages and combating terrorism undermines international solidarity and will be addressed at an upcoming special government session to determine a formal response.
Voices from Australia’s Jewish Community
The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) has also voiced fierce opposition to the sanctions, describing them as a “hostile and unjustified attack on a democratic ally” and accusing the Albanese Government of applying a “disturbing double standard” by engaging with authoritarian figures while penalising Israel.
AJA CEO Robert Gregory warned that targeting Jerusalem’s ministers “emboldens Islamic extremists,” undermines Australia’s crucial ties with the United States, and “contributes to a rise in antisemitism at home.”
He urged Opposition and crossbench MPs to “unequivocally oppose these measures” and called on Israel and its allies to consider reciprocal responses, including diplomatic restrictions, to defend the world’s only Jewish state.
Israeli Government’s Outrage
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced the sanctions as “outrageous.” He pledged to convene a special cabinet meeting to craft a response, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yet dependent on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to maintain his fragile coalition, broadly dismissing the move as foreign interference in Israel’s internal affairs.
The ministers’ sanctioning reflects growing international frustration over Israel’s West Bank settlement expansion and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have publicly supported settlement construction—even on land deemed unlawful by the International Court of Justice—and have called for drastic measures against Palestinians, including forced displacement and a blockade of humanitarian aid.
Penny Wong emphasised that these penalties should be viewed alongside Australia’s continued commitment to Israel’s security and a two-state solution. “These are targeted measures against individuals whose actions undermine peace prospects,” she said.
However, the US reaction underscores cracks in Western unity on Middle East policy ahead of key diplomatic talks. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Washington’s objections as “predictable,” while Opposition figures questioned Canberra’s decision given the friction it could cause with its most important ally.
As the dust settles, Australia and its partners believe these sanctions will signal that extremist incitement bears consequences—even for sitting ministers—and will bolster pressure on Israel to curb settler violence and renew meaningful negotiations.
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