UK Says New Law Will Crack Down on Hostile States’ Proxies from Next Month

France has banned Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, citing his active promotion of West Bank annexation and settlement expansion. The French foreign minister announced the sanctions on X, stating they are part of a coordinated effort with Britain, Canada, Australia, Norway, and New Zealand targeting those responsible for escalating settlement activity and violence against Palestinians.

“

This is a policy that the overwhelming majority of the international community, firmly committed to the two-state solution, cannot accept.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot explained that Smotrich's policies, including advocating for new settlements, the re-colonization of Gaza, and the economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority, are unacceptable to the international community committed to a two-state solution. Smotrich is the second Israeli minister barred from France recently; National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was previously banned for mocking detained activists.

France also prohibited entry for four leaders of settler organizations and 21 violent settlers. Norway announced it would adopt similar EU sanctions and ban 20 violent settlers, while also targeting networks financing settler attacks. The United Kingdom urged its businesses and citizens to avoid financial activities in Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law.

“

We believe that violent settler groups should not be profiting from the land that they have seized from Palestinians.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated, "We believe that violent settler groups should not be profiting from the land that they have seized from Palestinians." She added that Israel's government condemns some settler violence but shows "scant accountability." Israel's foreign ministry swiftly condemned the sanctions as "disgraceful," asserting they are a disguised attempt to impose a political stance on Jewish settlement rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than genuine measures against violence.

“

The Israeli "government has condemned some settler violence, but that rings hollow when there is scant accountability".

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had previously been banned by five other countries last year for inciting violence. Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland have also imposed bans on the ministers.

“

The real essence of these steps is the attempt to impose a political stance regarding the right of Jews to settle in the Land of Israel and concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- camouflaged as measures against violence.