US And Israel Criticize Sanctions Against Right Winged Minister Ben-Gvir And Smotrich

Announcement of sanctions against Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. (Twitter/@FCDOGovoK)

JAKARTA - The United States and Israel criticized the sanctions imposed on Israel's far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday.

Britain, Australia, Canada, Zealand, Norway imposed sanctions on the two ministers deemed to have sparked violence against the Palestinian people.

In a tweet on X's social media Foreign Minister Marco Rubio wrote, the US condemned the move. He said the move would not advance US-led efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, end the war there and bring home hostages from Israel.

"We reject the idea of equality: Hamas is a terrorist organization. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is," Foreign Minister Rubio said, demanding the lifting of sanctions.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said actions by the five countries were "outrageous" and the Israeli government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond.

Responding to Britain's decision to impose sanctions on him and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared "insultation of the White Book," comparing the move with British policy paper in 1939 which restricted Jewish immigration to Palestinian Mandates.

"We survived Pharaoh, we will also be safe from Keir Starmer," he said in a statement, citing the British Prime Minister, as reported by The Times of Israel.

"I will continue to work for Israel and the Israeli people without fear or intimidation!" he continued.

Meanwhile, Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank, Hebron Hills, said "the time couldn't be better." Smotrich also called the decision a "White Book."

"The UK has tried once to prevent us from building our homeland and we will not let it do so again," he said.

"We are determined to continue to build," he added.