National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to impose sanctions on the United Kingdom early Tuesday, after reports that Britain is expected to sanction Israeli settlements. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich separately called for the immediate expulsion of the British ambassador, according to reports.
In a further escalation of the Israeli response to expected British sanctions, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early Tuesday to impose reciprocal sanctions on the United Kingdom. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich simultaneously reiterated his call for the immediate expulsion of the British ambassador, as reported earlier.
The development follows Smotrich's initial call for the ambassador's expulsion at 23:31 Jerusalem time Monday, which he framed as a preemptive step ahead of expected UK sanctions on Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Ben Gvir's call for sanctions on the UK — rather than just diplomatic expulsion — adds a new dimension to the Israeli stance. Notably, Ben Gvir himself was previously sanctioned by the British government in June over remarks regarding Lebanon, as The Zioneer reported on June 19.
The ministers' statements come amid a sustained UK diplomatic campaign against Israel. As The Zioneer has reported over recent months, cross-party groups of British MPs have called for sanctions on Prime Minister Netanyahu and Justice Minister Levin (July 4), an arms embargo and settlement trade ban (July 26), and likely next prime minister Andy Burnham has stated war crimes were likely committed in Gaza and supported sanctions (July 9).
It remains unclear whether Prime Minister Netanyahu will act on either minister's recommendation. The expected UK sanctions on Israeli communities, which triggered the ministerial responses, have not yet been formally announced as of this hour.
5 developments
- DevelopingSmotrich says UK bars him for 'eliminating Palestinian state' idea, adds exiles entered
- DevelopingSmotrich warns of EU-backed plot to reverse Judea and Samaria settlement drive
- DevelopingIsrael begins closure of British consulate in East Jerusalem, diplomats given one month to leave
- DevelopingMK Dan Illouz blasts Western sanctions on Smotrich as 'reward for terror'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake