Global Backlash Against Israel Grows: Sanctions, Solidarity Convoys, and Rising Calls for Accountability
Western nations impose sanctions on Israeli ministers as civil society mobilizes via the “Madeleine” ship and “Caravan of Steadfastness” to challenge the Gaza blockade.
Watan-Israel is facing a storm of criticism over its genocidal war in Gaza. For the first time since the start of the war, Western sanctions have been levied against two senior ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, even as grassroots campaigns like the “Madeleine” ship and the “Caravan of Steadfastness” attempt to break the siege and awaken global conscience.
Sanctions Target Israeli Officials
The UK, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand announced sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, and the UK declared sanctions on the two for their role in inciting violence against Palestinians.
This move marks one of the strongest Western responses against senior Israeli figures since the war began, and reflects mounting international outrage over human rights violations in Gaza.
German Green Party leader Franziska Brantner also called for Berlin to impose sanctions, saying: “There is a need to sanction Smotrich and Ben Gvir, who as part of the Israeli government openly incite violence against the Palestinian people.”
U.S. Opposition
The U.S. quickly condemned the sanctions. Senator Marco Rubio stated on X that such measures “do not support U.S.-led efforts to reach a ceasefire, return hostages, and end the war.”
A Rare and Significant Step
Palestinian analyst Ibrahim Al-Madhoun described the sanctions as a “rare and important step” that exerts real political pressure on the Israeli government. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said these sanctions send a clear message: that the international community—at least parts of the West—remains committed to the two-state solution and rejects the extremist policies of figures like Ben Gvir and Smotrich.
He added that the move symbolizes wider rejection of the current Israeli government’s attempts to impose demographic and geographic changes by force, and predicted broader European action in the near future. The targeting of these two ministers specifically is highly symbolic, as both are key opponents of a ceasefire and advocates of extremist, religiously driven war rhetoric, which many have described as genocidal.
“Madeleine” Ship: A Voice of Conscience
The “Madeleine” ship set sail from Italy in early June, carrying global humanitarian and solidarity activists attempting to break the blockade on Gaza and draw attention to Israel’s crimes.
This is not the first attempt—“Madeleine” is the 36th such ship to try reaching Gaza since 2007. But Israel has consistently intercepted such missions.
This time, the Israeli military responded with violent force, signaling Tel Aviv’s fear that these initiatives could inspire broader global mobilization.
“Caravan of Steadfastness”: A Pan-Arab Stand for Gaza
The Maghreb-led “Caravan of Steadfastness” began its journey from Tunisia and has reached Zawiya, Libya. It comprises about 20 buses and 350 cars carrying around 1,500 volunteers from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, and Libya.
The caravan is now headed toward Tripoli, then Misrata, followed by Eastern Libya, en route to the Egypt-Libya border at the “Emsaad” crossing. From there, the plan is to proceed through Cairo to Rafah on June 15.
Organizers emphasize that the convoy does not carry aid or donations, but aims to be part of a global movement to break the Gaza siege.
