US Congress Calls for Sanctions Against Israeli Ministers
Nearly 90 members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden in late October calling for sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers for “inciting” Israeli settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. The letter was signed by 17 Democratic senators and 71 Democratic members of the House of Representatives.
The congressmen said they believe that Ben-Gvir and Smotrichare fuelling increased violence against Palestinians in the West Bank through their speeches and actions. According to sources who spoke to the agency, the actions of these Israeli ministers are extremely disturbing to Biden, but the US leader opposes the imposition of sanctions on democratically elected officials in allied countries.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Union High Representative Josep Borrell had announced that they were considering sanctions against the Israeli ministers in question for making provocative statements about the situation in the Gaza Strip.
What Happened?
- Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Smotrich, who frequently raid the Al-Aqsa Mosque, have caused serious reactions both regionally and internationally.
- Speaking to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Ben-Gvir argued that instead of reaching a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, they should occupy Gaza territory and encourage immigration.
- At a conference on 5 August, Minister Smotrich implied that it was “legitimate” for all Gazans to die, as they have been suffering from hunger and famine for months due to Israel’s intensified attacks and the blocking of humanitarian aid since 7 October 2023.
