UK, allies sanction 2 far-right Israeli ministers: Who are Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich?

UK, allies sanction 2 far-right Israeli ministers: Who are Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich?

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and four other Western allies for repeatedly ‘inciting violence against Palestinians’ in the West Bank. The two ultranationalist settler leaders are crucial for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remain in power. But who are they?

Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Bezalel Smotrich (R) during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Israeli parliament the 25th Knesset in Jerusalem, 15 November 2022. File Photo/Reuters