Rubio lashes Australia over sanctions on ‘extremist’ Israeli ministers Ronald Mizen Political correspondent Updated Jun 11, 2025 https://www.afr.com/world/europe/au...n-far-right-israeli-ministers-20250611-p5m6fs The United States and Israel have condemned Australia’s move to sanction two Israeli cabinet ministers for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions imposed on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich did “not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire”. “We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is,” Rubio said in a statement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned Australia’s move to sanction two Israeli cabinet ministers. AP Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday announced the sanctions, which were also imposed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and New Zealand. In doing so, she signalled a more assertive stance in Australia’s relationship with Israel’s right-wing Coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, and a willingness to punish Israel for actions it thinks are incompatible with international law. Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have been strongly criticised for their views on Gaza. Both have called for Palestinians to be resettled outside Gaza and both oppose aid flowing into the Strip. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday said the US response was “predictable” but Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s past statements were “a serious impediment” to a two-state solution. “The Israeli government does need to uphold its obligations under international law and some of the expansionist rhetoric we have seen ... is clearly in contradiction of that,” Albanese said. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called an “unacceptable decision”. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the sanctions send a message to Israel. Alex Ellinghausen But it was clear the Albanese government’s unhappiness with the Israeli government runs deeper than illegal settlements and violence in the West Bank, and in a media conference on Wednesday morning Wong left open the prospect of further sanctions. “We believe a two-state solution is the only way to end the cycle of violence, and regrettably it is also clear that the Netanyahu government rejects it. This is clear from its devastating military campaign in Gaza,” she said. “The situation in the West Bank and situation in Gaza are untenable, both for civilians and long-term peace in the form of a two-state [solution].” Wong said the sanctions were months in the making, and she had worked closely with Australia’s allies. Asked whether any specific action prompted the decision now, she cited Israel’s recent move to build 22 new illegal settlements in the West Bank. ‘We want a strong friendship’ The decision also came a day after the Israeli military seized a ship bound for Gaza carrying aid. The seizure made headlines as one of the 12 people aboard was activist Greta Thunberg. “Like Israel’s military expansion in Gaza, legal settlements and impunity to settle the violence in the West Bank are extinguishing the prospects of a two-state solution,” she said. “We want a strong friendship. We continue to support peace and security. We want a peaceful and secure future for the people of Israel, but we take issue with the actions of the Netanyahu government. “We don’t believe that the actions of that government are conducive to, ultimately, peace settlement in the Middle East.” Coalition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaela Cash demanded answers about why Magnitsky-style sanctions, which target individuals for human rights abuses and terrorist acts, were being used in this situation. “The Albanese government needs to explain why [it has] seemingly lowered the threshold for imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions, and whether this new approach will be applied to comments made by officials from other countries,” Cash said. “This may have serious implications for our international relationships.” Travel bans, assets frozen Under the sanctions, the Israeli ministers will face travel bans and have their assets frozen. Smotrich last month said Gaza “will be entirely destroyed” and Palestinians “will start to leave in great numbers to third countries”. Ben-Gvir meanwhile last year said Israel must “encourage” Gazans to leave their homeland. Smotrich said he had been at the inauguration of a Jewish settlement near the West Bank city of Hebron when he heard the news. “I heard that Britain had decided to impose sanctions on me because I am thwarting the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Smotrich said on X, according to a translation published by The Washington Post. “There couldn’t be a better moment for this … With God’s help, we are determined to continue building.” Smotrich has overseen an aggressive expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Using sanctions to target leading extremist members of Netanyahu's right-wing government is likely to be an effective tactic to pressure Israel back on the path of supporting a two-solution and dropping proposals & actions to displace all the Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. The sanctions of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir also serve as a warning to other Netanyahu cabinet members that they may be sanctioned next.
As much as some want to mock, it wasn't selfies they were taking, instead taking Israel to court. The UK government has desperately tried to play down the significance of this but they really just want their hand forced. War Crimes Complaint Filed in UK over Israeli Raid on British Aid Ship to Gaza Photo via social media The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a war crimes complaint with the UK’s Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit over Israel’s raid on the Madleen, a British-flagged humanitarian vessel intercepted in international waters on 8–9 June 2025. The complaint targets Shayetet 13, the Israeli naval commando unit that carried out the raid, and Vice Admiral David Saar Salama, commander of the Israeli Navy. The Madleen was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and was carrying medical supplies, food, and baby formula to civilians in Gaza when it was intercepted over 60 nautical miles off the coast—well beyond Israeli jurisdiction. The complaint, filed under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, the International Criminal Court Act 2001, and Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, accuses Israeli forces of war crimes, including the unlawful use of chemical irritants, incommunicado detention of 12 unarmed civilians, denial of legal and consular access, confiscation of aid and personal property, and degrading treatment.
One of the most laughable complaints ever filed. The actual victims of Hamas would like to explain to Greta and the selfie-yacht crowd what kidnapping actually is. "Kidnapped? Really? That word carries weight among Israelis." "Greta wasn't hunted down, dragged screaming into cars, assaulted or killed". I survived October 7: Gaza tourist Greta Thunberg's ridiculous 'kidnapping' claims are a slap in the face to REAL victims... now her stunt has backfired https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14802593/october-7-survivor-greta-thunberg-gaza-stunt.html Of course, some of her fellow selfie crew members have close relations with Hamas and Hezbollah. Greta Thunberg's angry reaction when she is asked about some of 'freedom flotilla' group's support for Hamas and Hezbollah as she lands in Sweden https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...bollah-Free-Palestine-deportation-Israel.html
@themickey, to me, allowing GWB feed his dopamine addiction on this specific topic has always felt very wrong. I guess the same kind of thing as why we don't allow dogs off the leash in graveyards? In any case, you mind your sanity, I'm off to California now as my daughter let slip she is expecting her first. Best I maintain a more positive frame of mind, and if there is a civil war, timing is perfect