UK sanctions two far-right Israeli ministers over Gaza

Sir Keir Starmer has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers over their monstrous” comments about the war in Gaza.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

The UK has joined international allies Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway in freezing the assets of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich and putting them under travel bans.

The prime minister said “anyone looking at the situation in Gaza would be shocked”, adding that the UK was “stronger” working with other countries than doing it alone.

The move will be seen as an effort by the UK to ramp up pressure on the Israeli government amid aid shortages in Gaza, but it marks a break with the US, which is not expected to join.

The announcement sparked an immediate row between the UK and Israel, with the country’s foreign minister describing the move as “outrageous”.

Gideon Sa’ar said he had spoken with Benjamin Netanyahu and that an Israeli response would be discussed at a meeting early next week.

He said: “We were informed about the UK 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 kind of measures.