Britain will join Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others in sanctioning National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, The Times reported Tuesday.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously indicated that the UK would sanction the two over comments he described as “monstrous.”

The sanctions would bar both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir from entering the UK, as well as ban any UK-based financial institutions from dealing with them.

US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens wrote in response: "The United States stands firmly in support of Israel. The United States is deeply concerned by the recent decision to impose sanctions on democratically elected officials of the State of Israel. These measures impede constructive dialogue and do not advance our shared goals of supporting peace and security. The United States will continue to focus our collective efforts on defeating Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, helping to create an enduring peace, and promoting Israel’s security and regional prosperity."

Head of the National Union party MK Betzalel Smotrich and attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir attend Otzma Yehudit party's election campaign event in Bat Yam on April 06, 2019. (credit: GILI YAARI/FLASH90)
Head of the National Union party MK Betzalel Smotrich and attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir attend Otzma Yehudit party's election campaign event in Bat Yam on April 06, 2019. (credit: GILI YAARI/FLASH90)

Ben-Gvir, Smotrich decry the move

“We survived Pharaoh. We will also survive [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer,” Ben-Gvir stated in response to the report. “I will continue to work for the State of Israel and the people of Israel without fear or intimidation!”

“I hear that Britain has decided to impose sanctions on me for obstructing the establishment of a Palestinian state. The timing couldn’t be better,” Smotrich said.

“Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not allow it to do so again. We are determined to continue building.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told reporters that the government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the “outrageous, unacceptable decision.”

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir recently campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, with Smotrich saying he wouldn’t allow “even a grain of wheat” to enter the Gaza Strip and Ben-Gvir saying, “There is no need to bring in aid [to Gaza]. They have enough.”

Ben-Gvir also advocated replacing the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem with a synagogue and for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. “We must encourage emigration. Encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza,” he said last year.

Pause on trade talks with Israel

The UK announced in May it would pause negotiations on a new free trade agreement with Israel after Starmer voiced alarm over the military escalation in Gaza.

“While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded Free Trade Agreement with a [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza,” the government said in a statement.

Lammy, speaking in parliament, highlighted the suspension of trade talks and condemned comments made by Smotrich about relocating Gazans, The New York Times reported. “We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Lammy told the House of Commons last month.