Gantz urges UK to rethink plans to sanction Smotrich and Ben Gvir

By Sam Sokol 10 June 2025, 4:21 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Leader of the National Unity Party MK Benny Gantz leads a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on June 9, 2025.(Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

National Unity chairman Benny Gantz calls on the British government not to sanction far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, stating that such a move would “fuel global terrorism.”

“I deeply disagree with Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir – but the imposition of sanctions on ministers in the Israeli government by the British government is a profound moral failure and a bad message to the entire world,” Gantz tweets.

“The State of Israel is fighting enemies who have proven that they intend to destroy it, the pressure and sanctions should be directed at Iran, Hamas and the Houthis. I call on the British government to stop this process that will fuel global terrorism.”