Washington condemns London and allies' sanctions against Israeli ministers

(Patria) - The United States condemned the sanctions imposed on two ministers in the Israeli government by the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, agencies reported.

The aforementioned countries imposed sanctions on far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

"These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war," Rubio wrote on X.

"The United States calls for the lifting of sanctions and stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel," he added.

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway joined the UK in freezing assets and imposing travel bans on Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, a West Bank settler, and Finance Minister Smotrich.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the move "scandalous" and said the government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the "unacceptable decision".

Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the Hebron Hills, expressed "contempt" for the British move.