Australia joins allies to impose sanctions on Israeli far-right ministers

The Star

Australia, along with its allies, imposed sections on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers for their roles in “serious human rights violations”, Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong said on Wednesday (June 11).   Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in a coordinated action imposed sanctions on cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00Morning, thanks for coming in early-ish.

00:04We believe a two-state solution is the only way to end the cycle of violence, and regrettably

00:10it is also clear that the Netanyahu government rejects it.

00:14This is clear from its devastating military campaign in Gaza, civilians being killed by

00:18the thousands, children starving.

00:22And it is also clear from policies including rampant settlement construction and impunity

00:29for settler violence in the West Bank.

00:32Together with our partners, Australia has opposed Israel's humanitarian blockade and

00:35expansion of military operations in Gaza.

00:39And together with our partners, we have opposed the expansion of settlements in the West Bank

00:43like those announced by the Netanyahu government just a couple of weeks ago.

00:47And together with our partners, we have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers for their violence

00:51against Palestinians.

00:53So far, the Netanyahu government has ignored this international opposition.

00:58Israeli has applied targeted financial sanctions and travel bans to two senior ministers in

01:03the Israeli government, Ministers Ben-Gavir and Smotrich, for their role in serious human

01:10rights violations and abuses relating to Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.

01:17They are the most extreme proponents of the unlawful and violent settlement enterprise.

01:23We continue to support peace and security.

01:27We want a peaceful, secure future for the people of Israel.

01:32But we do take issue with the actions of the Netanyahu government.

01:38We don't believe that the actions of that government are conducive to ultimately a peaceful settlement

01:45in the Middle East.

01:46That remains our position.

01:47Thank you very much.

02:06You're welcome.

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