Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich released a video Tuesday evening warning that in a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett as regional cooperation minister would establish a Palestinian state. The attack follows Bennett's recent interview expressing support for Palestinian autonomy in Judea and Samaria.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism) released a video on Tuesday evening warning that a potential unity government led by MK Gadi Eisenkot would see Naftali Bennett as minister for regional cooperation — and that Bennett would use that role to establish a Palestinian state.
The video is the latest escalation in an ongoing political row triggered by Bennett's Kan 11 interview last week, in which the former prime minister said he supports Palestinian autonomy in Areas A and B of Judea and Samaria. Right-wing figures, including Smotrich and Economy Minister Nir Barkat, have since attacked Bennett, accusing him of abandoning his earlier nationalist platform.
Smotrich's video, posted on social media, dubs the hypothetical coalition an "Eisenkot government," referencing the former IDF chief of staff and current National Unity MK who has expressed support for a Palestinian state. Bennett has not responded to the video as of Tuesday evening.
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