US Urges Reversal of Sanctions Against Pair of Israeli Government Ministers

The United Kingdom and four other countries announced sanctions against the ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on June 10.
US Urges Reversal of Sanctions Against Pair of Israeli Government Ministers
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir (R) speaks before Otzma Yehudit party meeting at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 3, 2024. Amir Levy/Getty Images
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WASHINGTON—The UK, Canada, and three other countries imposed new sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on June 10, in a move the U.S. State Department said would not help to resolve ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

In a June 10  joint press statement, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway specifically accused Ben-Gvir and Smotrich of inciting violence against Palestinian communities, particularly in the West Bank.