Bezalel Smotrich is a far-right Israeli lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, who currently serves as the country's finance minister as well as a minister in the Defense Ministry. In the past, Smotrich also served as transportation minister.
Smotrich is a highly divisive figure in Israeli politics, having been accused of racism, extremism, and homophobia. Smotrich has also gone on record saying that he is a "proud homophobe," staunch support for Israel's West Bank settlements, and rejects both the future existence of a Palestinian state as well as the existence of the Palestinian people.
Purim Shpiel: The following is a satirical article from The Jerusalem Post's annual parodic Purim page, The Jerusalem Roast. Enjoy!
"The European Union firmly condemns the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that over 800 hectares of land in the occupied Palestinian territory."
The classification of the additional state land was authorized by Smotrich, through his role in the Defense Ministry with oversight of the Civil Administration.
IDF Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni discussed the war and criticized Bezalel Smotrich's attack on Herzi Halevi. He said the chief of staff will quit when he thinks it's safe to give the reigns over.
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Smotrich should keep his views on military appointments to himself and, instead, focus 100% of his time and energy on his ministry.
Halevi, who is expected to resign sometime after he and the military issue a June interim report on the October 7 failures, is committed to letting his replacement reshape the major generals' level.
At the security cabinet meeting, verbal blows were exchanged between several members of the government during a discussion on military leadership appointments..
Smotrich added to Channel 12, "We support them absolutely to manage the war and to win. That, but nothing more."