International • 15:13 • Modified at 15:13
Britons ban far-right Israeli ministers
Author : Mark van Harreveld
The United Kingdom is formally imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over their conduct during the war in Gaza, The Times reports. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has called the sanctions "scandalous." According to Sa'ar, the Israeli government will meet early next week to discuss a response to the "unacceptable decision."

The decision sees the British government join Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries in freezing assets and imposing a travel ban on Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir - a West Bank settler - and Finance Minister Smotrich.

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Pressure on Israel
Like many other European countries, the UK has been increasing pressure on the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end a blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where international experts warn of a looming famine.

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London last month suspended free trade talks with Israel over its "egregious policies" in the West Bank and Gaza, summoned the Israeli ambassador and announced further sanctions against settlers in the West Bank. Earlier, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned statements by Smotrich about the possible cleansing and destruction of Gaza and the deportation of its inhabitants to third countries. Lammy also called the recent Israeli offensive "a dark new phase in this conflict".