U.S. Rebukes Canada Over Sanctions on Israeli Far-Right Ministers
Tensions rose on Tuesday after the United States condemned Canada and several close allies for imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers. These leaders, according to the sanctions, made statements encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the move, claiming it could hinder progress toward a ceasefire and hostage recovery. “These sanctions do not support U.S.-led efforts to end the war,” Rubio said in an official statement. He urged Canada and its partners to reverse their decisions and “not forget who the real enemy is.”
Rubio stressed that the U.S. rejects any attempt to equate Hamas with the Israeli ministers. “Hamas is a terrorist group responsible for horrific atrocities,” he added, emphasizing the importance of remaining focused on dismantling the militant organization.
Canada and Allies Take Action on Far-Right Israeli Figures
Earlier in the day, a senior Canadian government official confirmed that Canada would impose a travel ban and freeze any assets linked to Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Shortly after, foreign ministers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement.
The five countries said the two Israeli ministers had incited “extremist violence” and promoted human rights violations against Palestinians. “Despite extensive engagement with the Israeli government, violence continues with impunity,” the joint statement read. “This is why we are acting now — to hold those responsible to account.”
Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have recently called for the permanent re-occupation of Gaza and opposed humanitarian aid to its civilians. These stances, say officials, go against international norms and only worsen tensions in the region.
Support for Israel’s Security Remains, Allies Say
Despite the firm stance against the ministers, the joint statement emphasized continued support for Israel’s security. It reiterated a shared commitment to a two-state solution as the only long-term path to peace. The ministers also condemned the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas as horrific and unacceptable.
Speaking on Parliament Hill, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand clarified that the sanctions target individuals, not the Israeli state. She noted, “These individuals promoted extremist settler violence, and it has to stop.” She also mentioned that while they serve in Netanyahu’s government, they are not part of his party but represent far-right coalition partners.
Broader Diplomatic Fallout Continues
Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the U.K. and France in publicly criticizing Israel’s military operations in Gaza. They accused Israel of blocking essential aid and committing egregious actions. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused all three leaders of emboldening Hamas.
While tensions between allies continue to mount, the call for de-escalation and accountability grows louder. The debate now centers on how best to support Israel’s right to self-defense without enabling actions that could provoke further violence or violate international law.
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