Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Thursday evening that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told him he would not allow 'two million Nazis' to live near Israeli communities, recounting a conversation after Witkoff viewed the October 7 atrocities footage in Gaza.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made the remarks at the 'Decision Conference' organized by Likud MK Ohad Tal. According to Smotrich, the exchange occurred shortly after Witkoff's appointment as US envoy, when Witkoff met with Smotrich and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Smotrich said Witkoff had been shown the Hamas atrocities footage from October 7 during a visit to Gaza the previous day and was still under its impression. The quote, reported by Israeli media, reflects the hardline stance Smotrich attributes to the Trump administration envoy regarding the Palestinian population in Gaza. No additional context has been provided by Witkoff's office or other officials.
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