German opposition demands sanctions on Israeli ministers inciting violence

Berlin has been urged to join other countries in imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for incitement to violence against Palestinians.

This was stated in an interview with German media by Franziska Brantner, leader of the Green Party (Alliance 90/The Greens), one of Germany’s largest opposition forces, Caliber.Az reports.

She accused both ministers of openly calling for violence against the Palestinian population and of long promoting policies of annexation and displacement.

“This costs human lives, destroys entire communities, and creates huge obstacles to the peace process,” Brantner said.

In parallel, five countries, including the United Kingdom, have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers over inflammatory remarks and support for settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway accused Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of encouraging extremist violence and serious human rights violations.

They condemned calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians and new settlement construction, calling such rhetoric “shocking and dangerous.” The five governments reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace and security.

The UK’s measures include asset freezes and travel bans, while Norway has imposed similar restrictions.

Israel denounced the sanctions, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calling them “unacceptable” and saying the government would decide on a response next week.

The move follows Israel’s recent approval of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, captured in 1967, alongside about three million Palestinians. The international community considers these settlements illegal under international law.

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, outspoken proponents of settlement expansion, have faced criticism for condoning settler violence. The five governments said their actions and rhetoric have led to civilian deaths and the displacement of Palestinian communities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev