Another decision against the Israeli government might be seen as one step too far.

The sources also said there was the risk UK sanctions could be seen as a badge of honour by the two ministers.

Tom Keatinge, from the Royal United Services Institute think tank, told the BBC that putting sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would be a “significant move” aimed at sending a “major political message” to Israel.

He also said there was “not a precedent” for the UK government sanctioning elements of an ally country.

He added that there were “practical issues” as sanctions required “a lot of work” and that the Foreign Office’s sanctions director was already “heavily overworked” due to issues related to Russia.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Office announced new sanctions targeted at illegal settler outposts and four organisations it said had “supported and sponsored violence against communities in the West Bank”.

The three settler outposts hit by the financial restrictions are Tirzah Valley Farm Outpost, Meitarim Outpost, and Shuvi Eretz Outpost.

The four organisations targeted are Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva, a religious school; Hashomer Yosh, a non-governmental organisation that provides volunteers for illegal outposts; Torat Lechima, an Israeli charity and Amana, a construction company that has overseen the establishment of outposts.

The announcement follows previous sanctions announced in February, external and May., external

The foreign secretary said the measures would “help bring accountability to those who have supported and perpetrated such heinous abuses of human rights”.