Why it matters:
The move signals growing Western frustration with Israel’s far-right government and its push to expand sovereignty in the occupied West Bank, a policy that could further destabilize the region and undermine a two-state solution.
What he's saying:
Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister, declared that Israel would "apply sovereignty" in the West Bank before the 2026 elections and vowed Gaza would be "totally destroyed" within months, with Hamas "wiped out as a functioning entity."
Itamar Ben-Gvir, national security minister, has repeatedly called for Jewish settlement expansion and harsher crackdowns on Palestinians.
Key points:
- UK sanctions target Smotrich and Ben-Gvir over annexation rhetoric and hardline policies.
- Israel condemns the move as politically motivated interference.
- Smotrich’s timeline for West Bank sovereignty and Gaza’s destruction raises alarm.
- The sanctions could strain **UK-Israel relations amid broader Western unease with Netanyahu’s coalition.
Go deeper:
The sanctions reflect a broader shift among Western allies, who are increasingly willing to take punitive measures against Israeli officials over policies seen as undermining peace efforts. This could embolden other nations to follow suit, potentially isolating Israel diplomatically. Meanwhile, the move risks inflaming tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition, where hardliners may push for even more aggressive policies in retaliation.
ahmad shirzadian
