Overview

• The UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway announced travel bans and asset freezes targeting security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.
• In a joint statement, foreign ministers accused the two leaders of inciting extreme violence against Palestinians and advocating forced removals and new settlements in the West Bank.
• Israel’s government condemned the moves as “scandalous,” with officials denouncing what they called unwarranted foreign interference in domestic policy.
• The United States described the sanctions as “extremely unhelpful,” highlighting growing diplomatic friction among Western allies over Israel’s Gaza offensive.
• The measures follow the UK’s suspension of free-trade agreement talks and the summoning of Israel’s ambassador in May over civilian suffering and aid denials in Gaza.