Trump administration condemns ‘extremely unhelpful’ sanctions on Smotrich, Ben Gvir

By Jacob Magid

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10 June 2025, 10:18 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (R) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (L) are seen at a 'Victory Conference' calling for renewed Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, January 28, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The Trump administration condemns the “extremely unhelpful” sanctions that the UK, Canada, Australia, Norway, New Zealand imposed earlier today against far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

“It will do nothing to get us closer to a ceasefire in Gaza. They should focus on the real culprit, which is Hamas,” says State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce when asked about the unprecedented sanctions during a press briefing.

“We remain concerned about any step that would further isolate Israel from the international community,” she continues. “If our allies want to help, they should focus on supporting special envoy Witkoff’s negotiations and backing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation when it comes to food and aid.”

While Bruce focused her answer on Gaza, the British-led move came in response to Israel’s policy in the West Bank, where they said Smotrich and Ben Gvir have incited extremist violence against Palestinians. Settler attacks have been taking place there unchecked on a near-daily basis and the head of the police’s West Bank division is currently under investigation for ignoring the phenomenon to curry favor with Ben Gvir.