David Cameron has urged Britain to consider sanctioning the two Israeli ministers in order to “put pressure” on Israel to act within the international law.
The former Conservative Foreign Secretary said on BBC’s Today program that he was “working up” plans before the election to impose sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel. Smotrich and National. Security Minister Itamar. Ben-Gvir.
He called the two men “extremists” and said that using sanctions would send a signal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying “this isn’t good enough and must stop”.
The BBC has reached out to Smotrich and Ben-Gvir to get a response.
Lord Cameron said that both men “said things such as encouraging people to stop aid consignments going into Gaza. They have encouraged extreme settlers on the West Bank by the appalling actions they have been committing”.
Smotrich said earlier this year that it would be “justified” and “moral” to starve Gazans. He also called on Palestinian residents to leave Gaza and make room for Israelis, who could “make desert bloom”.
When asked why the planned sanctions didn’t go ahead, Lord Cameron (who was foreign secretary from 2023 to 2024) said that he had received advice that it would be “too much a political act” at the time of the election.
David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, has condemned the Ben-Gvir & Smotrich comments as “totally unacceptable”.
He said, “We are very concerned about escalating behaviour, about inflamed tenses, at an external Labour conference last month.
“I am absolutely clear. If we have to take action, we will. I’m in discussion with G7 partners on this, especially European partners. I won’t announce any new sanctions today, but this is being closely monitored.”
Published on 3 September
Published on 27 August
Sanctions prevent people from travelling to a certain country or from accessing money they may have in that country.
Tom Keating, from the Royal United Services Institute, told the BBC that placing sanctions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich was a “significant” move aimed at sending “a major political message” to Israel.
He said that there were “practical concerns” because sanctions require “a lot of effort” and that the Foreign Office sanctions director is already “heavily overwhelmed” by issues relating to Russia.
Lord Cameron said the UK government should try to influence Israel by placing restrictions on some of Israel’s ministers, instead of taking the “wrong road” of suspending weapons exports.
Last month, the UK government limited arms sales to Israel citing a “clear” risk that the equipment could be misused to commit serious international law violations.
Lord Cameron said that restricting arms sales while also helping to protect Israel from Iranian attacks “made absolutely no sense”.
The former PM said that everyone wanted the conflict to end, but in a “sustainable way”.
He said that Israel was under attack from Hamas and Hezbollah to the south and the north, and that it was right to support the country’s self-defence.
“But it’s not a blank check, it’s not unconditional,” said he.
“We want to ensure that aid gets to Gaza. We want to see the UN’s role in Lebanon respected.”
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