The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has issued a sharp condemnation of five nations—the U.K., Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia—for imposing sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli officials, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The U.S. administration argues that these measures interfere with its efforts to secure a ceasefire and bring all hostages home. Rubio criticized the foreign ministers of the five nations for undermining U.S. diplomatic goals, stating that the sanctions are not advancing the goal of ending the war. The administration is calling for the reversal of the sanctions, emphasizing its belief that Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for atrocities and for holding civilians hostage.
Ben-Gvir, an Israeli National Security Minister, has publicly praised Rubio’s comments, calling the U.S. administration a ‘moral compass’ in the face of what he describes as confusion among some Western countries that are choosing to appease terrorist organizations like Hamas. He reiterated that Israel is committed to fighting terrorism, with the administration’s support. Similarly, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked Rubio for being a ‘clear moral voice’ and said that the U.S. statement should serve as a guiding principle for the international community. Sa’ar argued that the U.K., Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia’s actions are not only ‘outrageous’ but also contribute to making Hamas more entrenched in its position during the ongoing hostage negotiations and the broader ceasefire discussions.
The joint statement by the five nations accused Ben-Gvir and Smotrich of inciting ‘extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.’ These nations have consistently been critical of Israel’s post-Oct. 7 military campaign in Gaza, which has led to escalating tensions. In May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the same set of countries—U.K., France, and Canada—of enabling Hamas, a claim he has used to justify his government’s stance on the war. Netanyahu’s comments in a video statement condemned the leaders of these countries for their perceived support for Hamas, calling them ‘mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers.’ He warned that such support places their countries on the ‘wrong side of justice and history.’
Australia and New Zealand have also issued joint statements on the Israel-Hamas war in December 2024, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticizing Israel’s treatment of U.N. agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In response to the latest sanctions, Sa’ar announced that Israel would convene a government meeting early next week to discuss the appropriate response to the actions taken by the five nations. With the situation continuing to evolve, the international community faces growing divisions over the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.