US lashes out after Australia sanctions Israeli ministers over West Bank violence

The US has issued a scathing response after Australia slapped travel bans and froze the assets of two far-right Israeli ministers.

The US has lashed out after Australia announced sanctions on two Israeli ministers “for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.

In a joint move, Australia alongside the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, have imposed the sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Israel’s security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir effective immediately.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since condemned the sanctions imposed by the five governments, while urging their reversal.

“These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,” he posted on X.

“We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organisation that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled the condemnation by the US as “predictable,” and that the two ministers have impeded a two-state solution.

“The Israeli Government does need to uphold its obligations under international law and some of the expansionist rhetoric that we’ve seen as well is clearly in contradiction of that from these hard-line right wing members of the Netanyahu government,” Mr Albanese said in an interview with ABC Radio Sydney.

“(Comments by the two men) have aided what is a serious impediment to a two-state solution.”

The United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia on two sitting members of the Israeli cabinet. These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 10, 2025

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said the sanctioning of democratically elected officials of a key ally was a “very serious development”.

Ms Cash called on Labor to reveal who initiated the process, on what basis they did so, who made the decision, as well as Australia’s engagement with the US on the matter.

She demanded the government clarify how the action will contribute to the safe return of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

“The Albanese government needs to explain why they have seemingly lowered the threshold for imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions, and whether this new approach will be applied to comments made by officials from other countries,” Ms Cash said.

“This may have serious implications for our international relationships.

“We are concerned that there is a pattern of decisions by the Albanese Government targeting the Israeli Government, rather than Hamas, including the decision to block the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister from travelling to Australia and the refusal to rule out arresting the Prime Minister of Israel.”Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Israeli ministers have “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights” in the West Bank.

They will have travel bans imposed and any assets frozen by the countries enforcing the sanctions.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions. Picture: NewsWire

“Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution,” Ms Wong said in a statement.

“Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.

“We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity”.

Israeli Minister of National Security and far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir is subject to the sanctions. Picture: AFP

The sanctions received a swift rebuke from the United States, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issuing a statement.

“The United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia on two sitting members of the Israeli cabinet. “These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war. We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace.

“We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is. The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar lashed out at the sanctions and described them as an “unacceptable decision”.

The British Mandate for the land of Israel ended in May 1948. It will never return.

The political pressure on Israel, which manifests itself in various ways, has one goal: to bring about an end to the war without achieving its goals, while Hamas still controls Gaza and… pic.twitter.com/IG083EShIt

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) June 10, 2025

“It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures,” he said.

“I discussed it earlier today with Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision”.

The Israeli government has approved a record number of Jewish settlements in the West Bank which are deemed illegal under international law.

Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir are ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition government and the actions by the countries have also reinforced their support for a two-state solution.

“We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution which is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion,” Ms Wong said.

The move comes as the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday morning AEST), imposed asset freezes on the two men.

Finance Minister and far-right politician Bezalel Smotrich is also subject to the travel ban. Picture: AFP

Foreign Secretary David Lammy reiterated what the Australian government said about the men inciting “extremist violence” and said the government would hold those responsible to account”.

Mr Smotrich last month said Gaza “will be entirely destroyed” and said Palestinians will “leave in great numbers to third countries”.

He also made controversial remarks earlier this year and said, “not even a grain of wheat will enter Gaza”.

Mr Ben-Gvir also said last year that Palestinians should be removed from Gaza.

“We must encourage emigration, encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza,” he said.

Multiple nations have sanctioned Itamar ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Picture: AFP

However despite the sanctions Ms Wong said the move does “not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas”. 

“Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world,” she said.

“We continue to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future”.

The government also reiterated that there should be “no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip”.

“We will continue to work with the Israeli Government and a range of partners,” Ms Wong said.

“We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid including food”.

It is believed there are 54 Israeli hostages in Gaza, held hostage by terrorist organisation Hamas, and of those 31 are believed to be dead.

Originally published as US lashes out after Australia sanctions Israeli ministers over West Bank violence