BERLIN – The head of Germany’s Green Party has called for Berlin to join other nations in sanctioning Israeli far-right security and finance ministers over allegations of inciting violence against Palestinians.
Franziska Brantner, who co-leads Germany’s second-largest opposition party, accused Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir of openly calling for violence against Palestinians and promoting a long-standing policy of annexation and displacement.
“This costs human lives, displaces entire communities, and creates enormous obstacles to any peace process,” Brantner said.
Her remarks follow coordinated sanctions announced on Tuesday by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway against Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister.
Both are members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are known for supporting the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and for condoning violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians.
Smotrich recently threatened the “total destruction” of Gaza, while Ben-Gvir has opposed the resumption of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the five countries said the two Israeli officials were responsible for inciting “extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”
The UK said its sanctions include a travel ban and asset freezes. Norway also imposed a travel ban.(dpa/NAN)
