Canada joins four countries in sanctioning 2 far-right Israeli cabinet ministers

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OTTAWA — Canada has joined four other countries applying sanctions to two Israeli cabinet ministers over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The statement, released Tuesday morning, was signed by the foreign ministers of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the UK — sanctioning Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — accusing the pair of inciting extremist violence and “serious abuses” of human rights in the West Bank.

“Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous,” the joint statement read.

“We have engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity.”

The Israeli government, the statement reads, must uphold obligations under international law and “take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.”

The measures will consist of travel bans and the freezing of assets.

Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir garnered criticism over recent comments about the West Bank and Gaza.

Last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a joint statement with U.K. PM Kier Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron condemning Israel’s expanded military operations in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

In a statement to the Toronto Sun, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon denounced the sanctions.

“It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures,” he said.

“I discussed it earlier today with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”