Australia, along with Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, imposed sanctions on Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians.
00:01Australia, along with its allies, imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers for their roles in human rights violations, says Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
00:12The country, along with Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, imposed sanctions in a coordinated action on cabinet ministers Utama Ben-Gwe and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
00:30We believe a two-state solution is the only way to end the cycle of violence, and, regrettably, it is also clear that the Netanyahu government rejects it.
00:40This is clear from its devastating military campaign in Gaza, civilians being killed by the thousands, children starving.
00:48And it is also clear from policies including rampant settlement construction and impunity for settler violence in the West Bank.
00:56Together with our partners, Australia has opposed Israel's humanitarian blockade and expansion of military operations in Gaza.
01:05And together with our partners, we have opposed the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, like those announced by the Netanyahu government just a couple of weeks ago.
01:13And together with our partners, we have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers for their violence against Palestinians.
01:19So far, the Netanyahu government has ignored this international opposition.
01:23We continue to support peace and security.
01:29We want a peaceful, secure future for the people of Israel.
01:35But we do take issue with the actions of the Netanyahu government.
01:40We don't believe that the actions of that government are conducive to, ultimately, a peaceful settlement in the Middle East.
01:48The sanctions freeze the assets and impose travel bans on Ben Gavir and Smotrich, both West Bank settlers.
01:56Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, wrote on X on Wednesday that the sanctions were concerning and unacceptable.
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