Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned Wednesday that a weak coalition government under Gadi Eisenkot would evacuate settlements and establish a Palestinian state, reiterating his claim that an ICC arrest warrant targets his political activism. Speaking at a conference organized by the She'alim network, he said his arrest warrant is for 'killing the idea of a Palestinian state,' not for violence.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich escalated his warnings against a potential unity government Wednesday, telling a conference audience that a 'weak government' under opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot would 'evacuate settlements and establish a Palestinian state.' The remarks, delivered at an event by the She'alim network, follow a week of sharp attacks from Smotrich against Bennett and Eisenkot over the future of Judea and Samaria.
Smotrich again addressed the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him, claiming it is 'for killing the idea of a Palestinian state — not for violence.' He argued that his political campaign against Palestinian sovereignty, not any criminal act, motivated the ICC action. The warrant was issued in May; Smotrich is not currently in a country that would enforce it.
The finance minister also touted his coalition's record, saying his party is 'removing an existential threat from the people of Israel, budgeting tens of billions for the periphery, and taking care of reservists — without asking who votes for whom.' He contrasted his government's actions with what he described as hollow unity rhetoric from opponents.
As The Zioneer reported, Smotrich in recent days has warned that a Bennett-led coalition would establish a Palestinian state, citing Bennett's own statements in favor of Palestinian autonomy in Judea and Samaria. The minister's latest remarks extend that attack to Eisenkot directly as a possible prime minister.
2 developments
- DevelopingSmotrich warns Bennett government would evacuate new West Bank outposts, establish Palestinian state
- StrongSmotrich says Gaza deal bad for Israel, vows to continue campaign in 'creative ways'
- DevelopingSmotrich warns of EU-backed plot to reverse West Bank settlement drive
- DevelopingEisenkot petitions to remove Smotrich AI video claiming his party would establish Palestinian state
Source and signal
- Internal intake