U.S. criticizes allies over sanctions on Israeli ministers

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned sanctions imposed by the UK, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia on two Israeli ministers, saying they undermine efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Rubio said the move “does not help U.S.-led efforts to secure a ceasefire, bring hostages home, and end the war.”

The five countries sanctioned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Rubio also rejected any suggestion of equivalence between Israel and Hamas, calling Hamas a terrorist group that carried out “unspeakable atrocities,” still holds hostages, and prevents peace in Gaza.

“The U.S. stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel,” Rubio said, urging the five countries to reverse their decision.

Meanwhile, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said condemnation by the U.S. and Israel of sanctions imposed on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers was "predictable", and that the two men had impeded a two-state solution.

"The Israeli Government does need to uphold its obligations under international law and some of the expansionist rhetoric that we've seen as well is clearly in contradiction of that from these hard-line right wing members of the Netanyahu government," Albanese said on Wednesday in an interview with ABC Radio Sydney.

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