BREAKING: GVIR AND SMOTRICH TO BE PLACED ON BRITISH TRAVEL BAN
In a move that will lead to a major diplomatic row, Britain and other international allies will today formally sanction two far-right Israeli ministers over their “monstrous” comments about Gaza.
In a significant break with Washington, the UK will join Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other nations in freezing the assets and imposing travel bans on Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister
Smotrich has approved the expansion of West Bank settlements and campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying previously he would allow 'not even a grain of wheat' to enter the warzone.
He said last month that 'Gaza will be entirely destroyed' and that Palestinians will 'leave in great numbers to third countries'
Ben Gvir has advocated the replacement of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem with a synagogue and the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. 'We must encourage emigration. Encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza,' he said last year.
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, described Smotrich's comments as 'monstrous' and 'repellant' in the Common.
Mike