WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctions imposed on June 10 by Britain and other nations against two Israeli Cabinet members accused of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians.

“These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war” in Gaza, Mr Rubio said in a statement.

Britain’s foreign ministry earlier announced that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir will be banned from entering the UK and will have any assets in the country frozen.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway also imposed fresh measures against the ministers, as the Israeli government faces growing international criticism over the conduct of its conflict with Hamas.

The sanctions mark a break between the five countries and Israel’s closest ally, the United States, with Mr Rubio urging partners “not to forget who the real enemy is” and to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel” against Hamas.

Mr Ben Gvir and Mr Smotrich “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights,” the foreign ministers of the five countries said in a joint statement.

“These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account,” they added.

A UK government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Canada and Australia had also imposed sanctions, while Norway and New Zealand had implemented travel bans only.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar slammed the sanctions as “outrageous.”

‘Horrendous language’

Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben Gvir are part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile ruling coalition.

Both have drawn criticism for their hardline stance on the Gaza war and comments about settlements in the occupied West Bank, the other Palestinian territory.

Mr Smotrich, who lives in a West Bank settlement, has supported the expansion of settlements and has called for the territory’s annexation.

He said in May Gaza would be “entirely destroyed” and that civilians would “start to leave in great numbers to third countries.”

Mr Ben Gvir has also called for Gazans to be resettled ...