Australia bans two Israeli ministers over ‘incitement’ in West Bank
Australia has issued travel bans and financial sanctions against two controversial members of the Israeli government, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions in a joint statement with the governments of Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Britain.
“[National Security Minister] Itamar Ben-Gvir and [Finance Minister] Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights,” she said on Wednesday.
“Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable.”
Ben-Gvir, from the Jewish Power party, and Smotrich of the Religious Zionism Party, are members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
Wong said the sanctions were not evidence Australia was deviating from its support for Israel’s security following the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
She said Australia “will continue to work with the Israeli government and a range of partners” to help establish peace in the region.
Wong said Australia “will continue to work with the Israeli government. Photo: AAP
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the sanctions “outrageous” and said the government would meet early next week to decide how to respond to the “unacceptable decision”.
The sanctions relate to the West Bank, but the announcement on Wednesday morning also said, “this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza”.
“The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas,” the joint statement said.
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“Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world.”
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are two of the most outspoken, far-right politicians in Israel calling for the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, which the International Court of Justice ruled were unlawful in 2024.
In late May, the Israeli government announced plans to establish 22 new settlements in the West Bank, as well as legitimising some already built without government approval.
The pair have also agitated for continuing fighting in Gaza and the return of Jewish settlements in the strip.
