The United States has sharply criticized Canada and several allies after they imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers for their inflammatory remarks about Gaza and the West Bank. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement Tuesday condemning the move, asserting it undermines American-led efforts to secure a ceasefire, return hostages, and end the ongoing war.
“These sanctions do not advance U.S. objectives,” Rubio said. “We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for heinous atrocities. Our partners must not lose sight of who the real enemy is.” He called on Canada, the U.K., and others to reverse their measures.
Earlier in the day, a senior Canadian official confirmed that Ottawa will impose travel bans and asset freezes on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The move came as part of a coordinated action with Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. In a joint statement, the five countries accused the ministers of inciting extremist settler violence and enabling serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.
“These actions are unacceptable,” the joint statement read. “Despite repeated diplomatic engagement, violence continues to escalate with impunity. We are acting now to hold those responsible to account.”
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, both known for their far-right positions, have recently called for the re-occupation of Gaza and the return of Israeli settlements, while also opposing the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Though both are members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, they belong to separate far-right parties.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, speaking from Parliament Hill, stressed that the sanctions are not directed against Israel as a state. “These two individuals promoted extremist settler violence, and it has to stop,” she said. Asked whether sanctions could extend to Netanyahu, Anand declined to comment directly.
Prime Minister Mark Carney previously joined U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in calling for an end to what they described as Israel’s “egregious” military campaign in Gaza and the continued blockade of humanitarian aid. Netanyahu responded fiercely, accusing the leaders of emboldening Hamas by criticizing Israel’s actions.
The diplomatic rift underscores growing tensions between Western allies as they grapple with the balance between supporting Israel’s security and holding its leadership accountable for actions in the Gaza conflict.