In brief
On June 10, 2025, the United Kingdom and Canada announced coordinated sanctions against Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, signaling a growing discontent among Western allies regarding Israel's military actions in Gaza.
The sanctions, expected to be implemented soon, will restrict travel and freeze assets for both ministers. This decision, reflecting a tougher stance amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis, contradicts the U.S. support for Israel. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, condemned the sanctions as “outrageous,” asserting that it is unacceptable for elected officials to face such measures. Discussions on the sanctions had been ongoing for several weeks, coinciding with a previous statement from Canada, Britain, and France denouncing Israel’s military offensives. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy explicitly criticized the extremist rhetoric from Smotrich regarding Gazans, branding it as dangerous and unacceptable. As the situation in the Middle East remains tense, this move by Britain and Canada indicates a potential shift in alliances and approaches among Western nations concerning Israel and the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza.
