‘We Reject Any Notion of Equivalence’: Rubio Condemns Sanctions on Controversial Israeli Ministers by U.S. Allies

Latest Developments

• Two Right-Wing Ministers Sanctioned: Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement strongly condemning five U.S. allies for jointly sanctioning two right-wing Israeli cabinet ministers on June 10. “These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,” Rubio said. “We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace.” Likewise, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labeled the move “unacceptable,” calling it “outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.”  
• Accused of Inciting Violence: The statement came after the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia jointly sanctioned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. In a joint statement, the five accused Smotrich and Ben-Gvir of having “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights,” adding that settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank imperil moves towards a two-state solution. The sanctions would freeze the ministers’ financial assets and restrict their travel.
• ‘Appeasement for Hamas’: “While the European colonial countries fantasize that we Jews are still their subjects, the streets of their famous cities are being taken over by radical Islam,” Ben-Gvir responded on X. “But their campaign of appeasement for the Hamas terrorists will not save them. When they finally wake up, it will be too late.” Referring to the Israeli West Bank communities decried in the joint statement, a defiant Smotrich remarked, “Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not allow it to do it again. We are determined to continue building.”

FDD Expert Response

“For anti-Israel extremists, these sanctions imposed by Western countries on two Israeli ministers will reinforce the notion that the world has turned on Israel. Within Israel, the actions by countries with a recent history of antagonism toward Israel will allow Smotrich and Ben-Gvir to galvanize support and portray the moves as the world ganging up on the Jewish state. These sanctions will backfire and undermine any peacemaking role those Western countries may aspire to.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“Sanctions are weapons that should be wielded against our adversaries. The decision taken by allies of the United States and Israel to target democratically elected Israeli officials is bad statecraft and a dangerous precedent.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

FDD Background and Analysis

“European Union Foreign Ministers Threaten Israel With Prospect of Sanctions,” FDD Flash Brief

“PA Reportedly Halts ‘Pay-to-Slay’ Payments to More Than 1,600 Palestinian Prisoners,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Sidesteps UNRWA to Deliver Gaza Aid Via WFP,” FDD Flash Brief

“Lame-duck Biden ramps up sanctions on Israelis — and eases up on terrorists,” by Mark Dubowitz and Eugene Kontorovich