Photo: Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
In a long-awaited move, the Australian Government has imposed targeted sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing their extremist, violent conduct and incitement of settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The announcement, made alongside Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, has been cautiously welcomed by leading Australian civil society organisations including the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM), the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), and the Australian Friends of Palestine Association (AFOPA).
These organisations and many other Palestine advocacy groups have praised the decision as a step toward acknowledging the systemic violence perpetrated by Israel, but have uniformly called it insufficient in light of what international experts increasingly describe as an ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“Too little, too late”
AFIC President Dr Rateb Jneid acknowledged the sanctions but questioned the government’s delayed response.
“We welcome this step but where were these sanctions when hospitals were bombed, when aid was blocked, when entire families were wiped out?” he asked. “Symbolic gestures are no longer enough.”
AFIC has called on the government to go further, urging enforcement of International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, both accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Federation also raised concerns about Australians who may be involved in war crimes through their service in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) or through financial support for illegal settlements—calling for thorough investigation and accountability under Australian law.
Escalating humanitarian crisis
The groups point to Israel’s continued obliteration of Gaza, where more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and entire communities erased.
Israel’s recent seizure of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel headed to Gaza carrying humanitarian supplies, has sparked renewed outrage.
AFIC and APAN have labelled the act piracy and demanded Australia publicly condemn the seizure and call for the immediate release of the detained humanitarian workers.
“The Madleen was not a military vessel. It was a humanitarian mission. Its seizure is a direct assault on justice and compassion,” said Dr Jneid.
APAN President Nasser Mashni added: “This is not just a diplomatic disagreement. It is genocide, plain and simple. These sanctions are crumbs tossed 613 days too late.”
A broader ideological project
Community groups have emphasised that the genocidal violence in Gaza and the West Bank is not isolated to two ministers, but part of a broader extremist ideology embedded in Israel’s state apparatus.
The Netanyahu-led government has repeatedly expressed its intent to permanently displace Palestinians and entrench a regime of apartheid.
The Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM) and the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) stated the sanctions “reflect growing international concern over the actions of Israel’s far-right government” but stressed that “much more is required.”
“The systematic oppression of Palestinians has continued for over 77 years,” they said in a joint statement, pointing to the expansion of illegal settlements and the ethnic cleansing driving millions from their homes.
Clear demands for action
AFIC, APAN, ANIC, AAM, and AFOPA have collectively urged the Australian Government to:
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Support and enforce ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.
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Investigate and prosecute Australian citizens involved in war crimes or funding illegal settlements.
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Impose a two-way arms embargo and end all military cooperation with Israel.
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Ban imports from illegal settlements and suspend all trade supporting the occupation.
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Expel Israeli diplomats who defend war crimes or disseminate disinformation.
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Recognise the State of Palestine, in line with international law and global consensus.
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Support international accountability through both the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“History is watching”
AFOPA has written directly to Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong ahead of the upcoming United Nations Conference on Palestine in New York on 17 June, urging them to back Palestinian self-determination and justice.
“Australia cannot remain complicit. The world is watching,” reads the AFOPA letter, calling on citizens to contact their representatives and demand immediate action.
The community organisations warn that anything short of full accountability will not only betray the people of Palestine but undermine the very principles of international law Australia claims to uphold.
As AFIC noted, “If Australia continues to do less than it can, it is not neutral. It is complicit.”
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