‘Inciting Violence’: Rubio Condemns Australian Sanctions Against 2 Israeli Ministers

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Australia’s sanctions contribute nothing towards meaningful peace in the Middle East.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong shake hands as they meet at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 21, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticised Australia and New Zealand for joining three nations in sanctioning Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for “inciting violence against Palestinians.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions in a joint statement with the ministers of Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK.