Sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir: Too Little, Too Late?

Watan-The crown has fallen from our heads; woe to us, for we have sinned: five countries have imposed sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir. The war in Gaza may now end—possibly the occupation, and surely apartheid. Smotrich, who devoted his life to studying the works of Henrik Ibsen and enjoyed strolling the streets of Oslo after the theater, can no longer visit Norway.

And Ben Gvir, an avid birdwatcher, will not be tracking the magical kiwi, found only in New Zealand. These two countries, along with Britain, Canada, and Australia, have sanctioned them—sanctions the Israeli government and public may struggle to bear. This isn’t nice, Bezalel and Itamar. The two naughty boys of Israel have been sent to stand in the corner.

It’s hard to tell whether this is naïveté or cowardice on the part of these states. Through rhetorical condemnation and these soft sanctions, they hope to affect Israeli actions. Still, their move deserves praise. At last, something real—not just empty words. Perhaps this is the first swallow signaling autumn’s arrival. Perhaps it’s meant to be a warning siren to a world sleeping through Gaza’s massacre—a prelude to the coming deluge.

And yet, it’s laughable. We deserve far more than this.

These decisions are based on sickening statements by individuals, but carefully avoid punishing them for their actions. Not nice, Bezalel, to say, “Huwara should be wiped out,” or “Death to Arabs,” Itamar.

All this, of course, is due to Netanyahu and his government—not you, dear Israelis. The West still clings to the fantasy of a “courageous friendship” and “shared values.” After all, you’re the only democracy in the Middle East—with the most moral army in the world.

These five countries now join the U.S. under its previous administration, which imposed personal sanctions on violent settlers. That was America’s symbolic contribution to the fight against apartheid—one that only strengthened Israel’s impunity, especially settler violence.

And to claim Smotrich and Ben Gvir are the roots of all evil? That’s convenient. These four Commonwealth nations and Norway have taken the easy route. What’s happening in Gaza is not because of Smotrich and Ben Gvir alone; they’re not even the primary culprits. Blaming them is hypocrisy.

Gaza—and Israel—needs real international sanctions that halt the slaughter. The world can no longer wait or waffle like these five states. Only sanctions will stop the carnage. Gaza is reduced to bodies piling up in food lines. Sanctions must target the entire government—starting with Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court, and ending with every minister, officer, and bureaucrat enabling the massacre. Most of the Israeli public, polls show, supports the massacre—and even awaits mass expulsion afterward. Pressure and punishment must target all of Israel.

And of course, we end on a comic note: Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz called the sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir a “major moral failure by the world.” Dear diplomats and decision-makers, did you get the message? In Israel today, we are all Ben Gvir and Smotrich.