Ahead of his Religious Zionism party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset, Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich spoke about the ongoing ceasefire discussions with Hamas. While acknowledging that “there is no Jew who is not happy to see our brothers and sisters return home,” Smotrich emphasized his opposition to progressing with the next phase of the ceasefire arrangement.
He pointed out, “The most popular and easiest thing for us would have been to join the chorus and connect with the natural human and Jewish emotion and support the deal.” However, he explained that his role as a national leader compels him to reject the deal, highlighting the heavy cost it would impose on “millions of citizens in the State of Israel and Jews around the world who will pay the heavy and terrible price of continuing the deal.”
Despite facing backlash, including “painful and harsh statements from the families of the hostages and others,” Smotrich remained firm in his opposition, stressing his stance was driven by a sense of national responsibility. He added, “History will not forgive short-sighted and irresponsible politicians who have been cooperating with Hamas propaganda for many months and trying to push Israel into surrender and losing the war.”
Rather than continue with the deal, Smotrich argued that Israel should channel the national anger, rage, and desire for revenge toward the “murderers in Hamas.” He emphasized the need to shift tactics, stating, “Not to do ‘more of the same thing’ again, but to go back and fight differently.”
Smotrich further advocated for halting “humanitarian aid to Hamas,” permanently occupying territories in Gaza, and working with President Trump, who “understands well the root of the conflict and the only realistic solution,” to encourage Palestinian migration from Gaza. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to present this plan to the cabinet and prepare to resume fighting after the first stage of the ceasefire agreement concludes. Smotrich insisted, “This is the only realistic way to force Hamas to surrender, wave a white flag, and flee for its life in exchange for the release of all the hostages, down to the last one.”
Turning his attention to the West Bank, Smotrich noted that the cabinet has added fighting terror in Judea and Samaria to its war objectives. This, he explained, follows a demand from his party and is intended to prevent an attack similar to the one on October 7. “The Arab residents of Judea and Samaria should know that if they continue with terrorism, their fate will be the same as the residents of Gaza,” he warned.
On the matter of chareidi conscription, Smotrich expressed his unwillingness to delay the approval of the 2025 state budget for the discussion of any other laws. This came in response to chareidi parties threatening to condition their support of the budget on the passage of a law exempting their community from military service. Smotrich underscored, “We have a responsibility to the state and the economy, and I am convinced that all of our partners understand this,” while also inviting the public to review the budget document his office has made available.
{Matzav.com}
