UK considers sanctions on Israeli ministers as pressure grows over West Bank violence

A woman pushes a child stroller while walking along the side of Israel's separation barrier in the Palestinian village of al-Ram in the occupied West Bank on February 13, 2020.

The UK is weighing up sanctions against two of Israel's ultra-right ministers—Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir—as tensions mount over sustained settler attacks in the occupied West Bank and Israel's growing war in Gaza. The planned actions include travel bans and asset freezes against the two high-ranking members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, the Financial Times reported, citing sources briefed on the issue.

The step would be a major escalation of Britain's reaction to what it perceives as extremist behaviour by some in the Israeli government. Though no decision has been made, the talks indicate London's growing irritation with Netanyahu's right-wing government, especially in the face of what the UK terms a "dramatic surge" in assaults by Jewish settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank over the last 18 months.

From diplomatic friend to trenchant critic

The UK has been a long-time defender of Israel's right of self-defence, particularly after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that resulted in 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages. Britain's position, however, has turned sharply in recent months as the war in Gaza continues to rage, with over 53,500 Palestinians killed and humanitarian conditions worsening at breakneck speed.

On Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended trade negotiations with Israel and sanctioned three Jewish settlers who had been accused of stirring up violence. In a strongly worded address to Parliament, Lammy challenged Smotrich specifically for declaring Israel was "cleansing" Gaza, calling the comments "extremist, dangerous, repellent, and monstrous.

"This behaviour is an insult to British people's values," Lamby stated, marking a dramatic shift in tone against the Israeli government.

Cabinet extremists in the spotlight

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are both ultranationalist settlers who openly promoted annexation of the West Bank. Smotrich, besides managing Israel's economy, has civilian administration in the West Bank under his control. Ben-Gvir, once convicted of inciting to racism, is responsible for border police in the Palestinian territories. He once had a picture of mass murderer Baruch Goldstein hanging in his home.

Their impact on Israeli policymaking has attracted growing criticism from allies. Jewish settlers have in recent weeks been associated with attacks that have killed more than a dozen Palestinians, displaced families from their homes, and escalated fears of a permanent collapse of order in the West Bank.

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens

Israel's 19-month war on Gaza has ruined the enclave. The Israeli army's domination of huge areas of the territory and nearly complete blockade for almost two months have left over two million Palestinians on the edge of famine. The UN says that limited deliveries of aid fall short to meet the magnitude of the crisis.

Over 900 Palestinians were also killed in the West Bank since October 2023, mostly by Israeli troops, fuelling further demands for accountability from international allies.

Labour overhauls UK-Israel policy

Under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Britain has adopted a more critical stance towards Israel than the last Conservative government. His government has temporarily revoked some arms export licenses to Israel, reinstated funding for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, and abandoned a legal appeal against the International Criminal Court's pursuit of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.

The UK is also negotiating with France and Saudi Arabia on possibly recognizing a Palestinian state—a possibility under consideration for a UN conference next month. No decision has been finalized, but if done, it would likely be a drastic change in Britain's position in the Middle East peace process.

A turning point in UK-Israel relations

The threat of sanctions against high-ranking Israeli ministers highlights the extent to which UK-Israeli relations have soured. While the UK government still supports Israel's right to security, it is becoming less and less willing to turn a blind eye to the actions of extreme right-wing members of Netanyahu's cabinet. As calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic solution continue to mount, London's next steps could have far-reaching consequences in Europe as well as the Middle East.