• UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway impose sanctions on Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.
• Sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes due to incitement of violence against Palestinians.
• The move represents a break with traditional US support for Israel amidst rising tensions in Gaza.
• Ministers are accused of endorsing extremist rhetoric and actions that undermine human rights.
• Israel's government condemns the sanctions as "outrageous", pledging to respond effectively.

The United Kingdom, alongside Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, has announced sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for their roles in inciting violence against Palestinians. This coordinated action involves travel bans and asset freezes, emphasizing the seriousness with which these nations view the ministers' incendiary remarks and policies amid the conflict in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions are reportedly dire, according to BBC, Los Angeles Times, and NY Times.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have been notable figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and are known for their extreme nationalist positions advocating for the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and policies perceived as supporting forced displacement of Palestinians. Their statements have drawn widespread condemnation, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling their rhetoric "monstrous" and detrimental to peace efforts, as reported by TRT and Middle East Eye.

The sanctions reflect a growing frustration among these nations regarding Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza, specifically in light of the humanitarian crises exacerbated by the recent military operations following Hamas' attacks on October 7, 2023. The countries involved stress that these measures are targeted at individuals and not Israel as a state, emphasizing adherence to international human rights standards, according to Africa News and HuffPost.

In response, Gideon Saar, Israel's Foreign Minister, condemned the sanctions as "outrageous" and stated that the Israeli government would convene to discuss its approach. Saar's comments reflect a broader concern that such sanctions may hinder Israel's ability to conduct its military operations against Hamas, according to TRT and South China Morning Post.

The sanctions mark a pivotal shift away from the traditionally steadfast support from the United States towards Israel, which, according to a US State Department spokesperson, is deemed "unhelpful" and damaging to diplomatic efforts for peace. This shift indicates a potential reevaluation of international approaches to Israel's policies within the context of ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, as noted by CBS News and AA.