National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded to reports that they would be sanctioned by Britain on Tuesday.

"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."

National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, May 26, 2025 (credit: NOAM REVKIN FENTON/FLASH90)
National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, May 26, 2025 (credit: NOAM REVKIN FENTON/FLASH90)

Gantz, Saar spoke out in defense of Ben-Gvir, Smotrich

Leader of the National Unity Party MK Benny Gantz responded to the report on X/Twitter, stating that while he didn't agree with the two ministers, “the imposition of sanctions on ministers in the Israeli government by the British government is a profound moral failure and a bad message to the entire world.”

“The State of Israel is fighting enemies who have proven their intent to destroy it. Pressure and sanctions should be directed at Iran, Hamas, and the Houthis,” he wrote, calling on the British government to stop the process.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters that the government would hold a special meeting early next week to decide how to respond to the "outrageous, unacceptable decision." 

Saar also thanked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his support for Israel and condemnation of the sanctions placed on Smotrich and Ben Gvir, in a post on Twitter/X. "Your words should be the compass for the international community, for all those who preach Israel and ignore reality," he said.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "urgently discuss the implications of the decision by the governments of Great Britain, Australia, Norway and New Zealand to impose sanctions on ministers serving in the Israeli government during a time of war."

The UK released an official statement regarding the sanctions

The UK released a statement announcing that after public and private discussions with Netanyahu demanding Israel  "cease expansion of illegal settlements which undermine a future Palestinian state, clamp down on settler violence, and condemn inflammatory and extremist statements from both individuals," the government decided to sanction Ben-Gvir and Smotrich due to "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities."

“We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution and will continue to work with our partners towards its implementation. It is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability in the region, but it is imperiled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion," Lammy said in a joint statement with the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account. "