Australia Sanctions Israel: Pressure Mounts
- Australia, along with the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, has imposed sanctions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.The coordinated action,...
- The sanctions mark the first time Australia has targeted senior Israeli officials.
- The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of Israeli actions in the West Bank.
Australia has sanctioned Israeli officials, including national Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, over their alleged incitement of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. This decisive move, employing Magnitsky-style sanctions, represents a meaningful escalation in Australia’s response to the ongoing conflict, following previous sanctions on Hamas and Israeli settlers. The sanctions specifically target Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, highlighting their role in escalating tensions, especially amidst reports of demolitions and settler violence that have displaced over 6,400 Palestinians since October 2023. News Directory 3 delivers the current news.However, some argue further actions are needed, urging for more sanctions. Will australia take further action? Discover what’s next.
Australia Sanctions Israeli Officials Over West Bank Violence role
Updated June 11, 2025
Australia, along with the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, has imposed sanctions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.The coordinated action, using Magnitsky-style sanctions, aims to address the ministers’ role in inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The sanctions mark the first time Australia has targeted senior Israeli officials. Previously, Australia sanctioned Hamas in November 2023 following the Oct. 7 attacks. In July 2024, sanctions were placed on seven Israeli settlers and one entity for attacks on Palestinians. However, these new measures signal a potential shift toward addressing broader concerns about escalating tensions and the *role* of key figures in the conflict.
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of Israeli actions in the West Bank. as October 2023, demolitions and settler violence have displaced more than 6,400 Palestinians, according to reports. Ben-Gvir allegedly instructed police not to enforce the law against violent settlers, according to an Israeli investigative journalist.
Smotrich, also a minister in the Defence Ministry and a member of the security cabinet, has drawn criticism for calling for ethnic cleansing in Gaza.In May, he said an Israeli victory meant Gaza would be “completely destroyed” and its Palestinian population would leave for other countries, even if hostages were released.
last month, Ben-Gvir said Israel must “encourage the migration of Gazans to countries around the world.”
While these sanctions suggest a willingness to play a stronger *role* in addressing the conflict, some argue further measures are needed. Critics point to the ongoing use of starvation as a method of war, despite provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. They urge Australia to sanction additional Israeli officials implicated in abuses and ban trade with illegal West Bank settlements.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister yoav Gallant for alleged crimes in gaza. However, after a U.S. executive order authorized sanctions targeting the ICC, Australia did not join the 79 countries that reaffirmed their support for the court.
What’s next
Looking ahead, the question remains whether australia will take further action, including publicly backing the ICC and committing to executing pending warrants, to address the *role* of individuals and entities undermining international law and contributing to mass atrocities.