Australia Imposes Sanctions on Israeli Ministers Amid Gaza Conflict

In a significant diplomatic move, Australia has imposed Magnitsky-style sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, amid escalating tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The sanctions, announced on June 11, 2025, are a response to allegations of serious human rights abuses against Palestinians and the aggressive expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the sanctions as a demonstration of the international community's growing frustration with Israel's actions in Gaza, where violence has surged following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, primarily civilians.

The sanctions include targeted financial restrictions and travel bans on the two ministers, who are prominent figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition government. Ben-Gvir, who serves as Minister of National Security, has been accused of inciting violence and supporting settlement expansion, while Smotrich, the Finance Minister, has actively overseen policies that encourage the establishment of new Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. Both ministers have made inflammatory statements, such as Smotrich's suggestion that Gaza could be 'entirely destroyed' and Ben-Gvir's calls for the mass expulsion of Palestinians.

The Australian government emphasized that these sanctions are not directed against Israel or its citizens but are aimed at holding individuals accountable for their actions that violate international law. Wong stated, 'We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution… but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.' The sanctions received backing from Australia's Five Eyes security partners, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, although the United States criticized the move as 'extremely unhelpful.'

The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, reacted strongly, calling the sanctions 'entirely unacceptable' and questioning the timing of the announcement, which coincided with Israel's ongoing military operations against Hamas. He argued that Israel is currently focused on recovering hostages taken by Hamas and maintaining national security. In response, the Israeli government is expected to convene to discuss its strategy moving forward.

This development marks a significant shift in Australia's foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aligning with previous United Nations resolutions that deem Israeli settlements in occupied territories illegal. The sanctions come amid an international dialogue regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen more than 54,000 Palestinians reported dead according to health authorities in the territory. The situation remains precarious as the international community grapples with the complexities of the conflict and the urgent need for a resolution that ensures peace and human rights for both Israelis and Palestinians.