In response, Israel said: “It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the Cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called the “unacceptable decision.”
While the U.S. has continued to stand resolutely behind Israel as it wages war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, other longtime allies — including the EU, Britain and Canada — have grown increasingly critical of Israel and its military tactics.
Israel launched its military assault on Gaza in response for the Hamas militant group’s violent attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,000 Israelis. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 50,000 people, according to Gazan health officials, as Israel’s offensive continues.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have consistently been the most hard-line ministers in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and are crucial allies keeping him in power.
Ben-Gvir briefly resigned from Netanyahu’s Cabinet in January during the short ceasefire, before rejoining in March when fighting resumed. He said the resumption of aid deliveries into Gaza was a “serious and grave mistake.”
Smotrich has approved the expansion of West Bank settlements and said that “not even a grain of wheat” should be allowed into Gaza. He also said Palestinians would be relocated to third countries after the war.
