Australia has joined four other nations in sanctioning two Israeli ministers.
New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway and Australia have all confirmed that sanctions will be in place against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both far-right sitting members of Israel's cabinet.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the sanctions on Wednesday, saying both ministers had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”.
"Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous," Wong said in a joint statement with her counterparts from the other four nations.
"We have engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity."
The sanctions will include travel bans and the freezing of azzets. In addition, they will block others from providing financial assistance.
However, outside the Labor party, Australian politicians disagree on the approach.
The Greens are reportedly unsatisfied with the moderate action, while Coalition sentiment is the opposite, with Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg saying it was a mistake.
"Unless there is information that has not been known publicly, Australia has made a mistake here," he told Sky News.
Meanwhile, the Greens' foreign affairs spokesman David Shoebridge said the sanctions were “extremely late, but welcome”.
Internationally, Israel and the U.S. condemned the five nations' decision.
“These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement.
