Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are unlikely to visit London anytime soon, as the United Kingdom has sanctioned them with travel bans. The U.K. isn’t the only country taking action, with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway also joining in.

The foreign ministers of these five nations released a statement explaining their decision to sanction the ministers and implement “other measures targeting” them.

The statement accuses Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of inciting violence and human rights abuses against Palestinians, stating that “Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous.”

The foreign ministers link their actions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to issues in the West Bank, but emphasize that their measures “cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza.”

Ben-Gvir responded on X, criticizing European countries and accusing them of appeasing Hamas. He wrote, “While the European colonial countries fantasize that we Jews are still their subjects, the streets of their famous cities are being taken over by radical Islam. But their campaign of appeasement for the Hamas terrorists will not save them. When they finally wake up, it will be too late!”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the sanctions as “outrageous.”

Sa’ar stated, “We were informed about the U.K. decision to include two of our ministers on the British Sanctions list. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kinds of measures,” He added, “I discussed it earlier today with and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”

Sa’ar also posted a statement on X criticizing the five nations, especially the U.K.

“The British Mandate for the land of Israel ended in May 1948. It will never return,” Sa’ar wrote. “The actions and decisions against Israel also contribute to hardening Hamas’ stance in the negotiations for the hostage deal – and distance it and the ceasefire.”

The countries involved have been openly critical of Israel during its conflict with Hamas.

In May, Canada, the U.K., and France jointly declared their strong opposition to expanded Israeli military operations in Gaza, deeming the limited amount of food allowed into Gaza as “wholly inadequate.” 

The May statement warned, “We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”

In a joint statement following the Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN), the countries urged a ceasefire in Gaza and criticized Israel’s “treatment of U.N. agencies.” Australia and New Zealand defended UNRWA, stating that “no organization can replace or substitute” its ability to serve the Palestinian population. 

The U.S. halted funding to UNRWA under the Biden administration. Under President, the Department of Justice determined that the agency was no longer immune to lawsuits, enabling families of over 100 victims of the October 7 attacks to sue for $1 billion in damages.