Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada,
New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom on measures targeting
Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
“Today, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other
measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for
inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
“Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls
for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages
violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the
two-state solution. Settler violence has led to the deaths of
Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.
“We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution which is
the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and
Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it
is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement
expansion.
“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist
violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.
Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of
Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is
appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable. We
have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively,
yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and
impunity. This is why we have taken this action now – to hold
those responsible to account. The Israeli Government must
uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it
to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and
expansionist rhetoric.
“The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering
support for Israel's security and we continue to condemn the
horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas. Today's measures
are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine
Israel's own security and its standing in the world. We continue
to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on
our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and
future.
“Today's measures focus on the West Bank, but of course this
cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We
continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians,
including the denial of essential aid. There must be no unlawful
transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor
any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. We will
continue to work with the Israeli Government and a range of
partners. We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the
release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow
of humanitarian aid including food. We want to see a
reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway
to a two state solution.”
