LONDON

The Dutch government is considering imposing sanctions on two Israeli Cabinet ministers for their incitement to extremist violence and violation of Palestinian human rights, according to local media on Wednesday.

In a letter to parliament, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp expressed their intention to be able to impose sanctions on Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, public broadcaster NOS reported.

It came a week after the Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK took the similar step, imposing a travel ban and freezing assets of the two far-right ministers.

"The suffering in the Gaza Strip affects many people deeply," the letter said, adding that the ministers have repeatedly incited violence against the Palestinian population.

Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 974 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and settlers, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.