Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir met today (Thursday) with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee - a day after five countries imposed sanctions on the two.
At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Huckabee posted a message on his official X-network account - in which he wrote, "Pleased to meet Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the US Embassy in Jerusalem, after ridiculous sanctions were imposed on them by five countries. Outrageous hypocrisy.".
Smotrich said after the meeting: "Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for your true friendship, for standing firmly by our side, and for the important meeting today.".
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He added: "The alliance between Israel and the United States is not just about interests, but shared values, truth, freedom, justice, and it is stronger than any storm. I convey to President Trump my personal thanks for his support and backing. His leadership continues to shine like a beacon for the free world.".
Minister Ben Gvir wrote on his X account after the meeting: "I had the honor of meeting today with the United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. I thanked him for the uncompromising support of the United States for Israel, and for the American backing in the face of the sanctions imposed on me by New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Britain and Canada.".
He added: "I told him that these sanctions came because they did not like my firm stance to defeat Hamas, as well as the dramatic changes I made in prisons, in the conditions for terrorists, in the weapons reform, and in the establishment of the readiness classes. We agreed to continue to stay in touch and cooperate on the issues on the agenda.".
Britain, Australia, Norway, New Zealand and Canada imposed sanctions on ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday. In a statement, they said the move was due to "incitement to violence against Palestinians.".
As part of the sanctions, Smotrich and Ben Gvir will be banned from entering the countries and financial institutions will not be able to provide them with any services.
