Smotrich: "The goal of the war is not strengthening of the settlements"

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich addressed the controversy created by the “Back to Gaza” conference this morning (Thursday): “the goal of the war is not to strengthen the settlements – but to return the hostages and to eliminate Hamas,” he noted in an interview with Ilana Dayan for Army Radio.

“If only Lapid would succeed in rising to the occasion”

Against the background of Lapid’s statement on possible joining the government on condition that the Religious Zionism and Otzmah Yehudit parties resign from the coalition, the minister stressed that “we are at a decisive moment for the State of Israel. I am sorry Yair Lapid is not entering the government – the people expect us to maintain unity and cohesion and not deal in politics – if only Lapid would succeed in rising to the occasion.”

Regarding the hostage deal, Smotrich said that “we have serious dilemmas – can we return only some of the hostages? We’ve merited being partner to the return of many of the hostages, women and children. The IDF does exceptional work, we need to thank it and the Master of the World. These are difficult decisions, we try to make the right decisions.”