Fact Check: The UK, Canada, France, and Norway imposed sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers in October 2023 for inciting violence against Palestinian civilians.

Fact Check: UK, Canada, France, and Norway Sanction Israeli Ministers for Inciting Violence

What We Know

In October 2023, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and several other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, imposed sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. These sanctions were a response to accusations of "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the occupied West Bank (BBC, AP News). The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes for both ministers, who are prominent figures in the Israeli government known for their far-right positions and support for settlement expansion in Palestinian territories (Reuters, Time).

The foreign ministers of the sanctioning countries issued a joint statement condemning the ministers for their roles in inciting extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights (Washington Post, ABC News). The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, specifically noted that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had been inciting violence for months, which contributed to the decision to sanction them (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that the UK, Canada, France, and Norway imposed sanctions on the two Israeli ministers is accurate. The sanctions were part of a coordinated effort among these nations to address the escalating violence in the region, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict that intensified after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 (ABC News, Al Jazeera).

The sources used in this fact-check are credible and come from established news organizations. The BBC, Reuters, and AP News are known for their journalistic integrity and thorough reporting. The joint statement from the foreign ministers of the sanctioning countries further corroborates the claims made in these reports, highlighting the international consensus on the need to hold individuals accountable for inciting violence (Washington Post, Time).

Critically, while the sanctions are a significant diplomatic move, they have been met with strong condemnation from Israeli officials, who argue that such measures undermine Israel's right to self-defense and could exacerbate tensions in the region (BBC, Reuters). This response indicates the contentious nature of the sanctions and the broader geopolitical implications of such actions.

Conclusion

The claim that the UK, Canada, France, and Norway imposed sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers for inciting violence against Palestinian civilians in October 2023 is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that these sanctions were enacted as a direct response to the ministers' actions and rhetoric, which have been deemed harmful to Palestinian communities and peace efforts in the region.

Sources

1. UK sanctions far-right Israeli ministers for 'inciting violence'
2. Britain sanctions Israeli far-right ministers over Gaza
3. UK and others sanction 2 far-right Israeli Cabinet ministers
4. Israel's allies impose sanctions on ministers over West
5. Why U.K. and Allies Sanctioned Two Israeli Ministers
6. UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway sanction 2
7. Far-Right Israeli Ministers Sanctioned by U.K., Canada and Others
8. Australia, Canada, NZ, UK, Norway sanction two Israeli far-right ministers