Australia Sanctions Two Israeli Ministers Despite US Opposition

Australia imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on two senior Israeli ministers Tuesday, coordinating with four allied nations in a move that drew sharp criticism from the United States.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions against Ministers Itamar Ben Gavir and Bezalel Smotrich for what she called their role in "serious human rights violations and abuses relating to Israeli settler violence in the West Bank."

"They are the most extreme proponents of the unlawful and violent settlement enterprise," Wong told reporters in Canberra. "Australia has applied targeted financial sanctions and travel bans to two senior ministers in the Israeli government."

The coordinated action included Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom, representing months of diplomatic effort among the five nations. Wong said the coalition was sending a clear message to the Netanyahu government.

"You have ignored the international community and we do not tolerate it," she said.

The United States immediately criticized the sanctions as "extremely unhelpful," with Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling partners not to "forget who the real enemy is." A U.S. statement said the sanctions do not advance American-led efforts to end the war.

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