Following sanctions and travel restrictions imposed by the U.K., Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the [administration official] criticized these nations.

A statement from Secretary of State [official’s name] asserted, “These sanctions do not help U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire, free hostages, and end the war. We disagree with equating the two sides: Hamas is a terrorist group responsible for atrocities, holding civilians, and preventing peace in Gaza. We urge our partners to remember who the enemy is. The United States supports Israel and calls for the sanctions to be reversed.”

Ben-Gvir expressed his appreciation for [official’s name]’s remarks, stating that “the American administration provides moral clarity amidst the confusion of some Western nations appeasing terrorist groups like Hamas.” He affirmed Israel’s commitment to fighting terrorism.

Gideon Sa’ar also thanked [official’s name] for being “a clear moral voice” and said the U.S. official’s statement “should be a compass to the international community, to all those preaching [to] Israel, ignoring realities.”

Sa’ar denounced the U.K., Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia’s “outrageous” measures against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich on Tuesday, arguing that these “actions and decisions against Israel also contribute to hardening Hamas’ stance in the negotiations for the hostage deal—and distance it and the ceasefire.”

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the U.K., Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia accused Ben-Gvir and Smotrich of inciting “extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”

All five countries that issued the joint statement have been critical of Israel’s actions during its [military operation].

In May, Israeli Prime Minister [leader’s name] accused the U.K., France, and Canada of “enabling Hamas” after they demanded that Jerusalem stop its military campaign in Gaza.

“I say to President Macron, Prime Minister [Carney’s name] and Prime Minister [Starmer’s name]: When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “You’re on the wrong side of humanity and you’re on the wrong side of history.”

In December 2024, Australia and New Zealand jointly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticized Israel’s treatment of U.N. agencies, including UNRWA.

Sa’ar announced on Tuesday that Israel will hold a government meeting early next week to discuss its response to the actions taken against the ministers.