Bezalel Smotrich: I am proud of coming "prepared" to cabinet meetings

Finance Minister and Minister Within The Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich responded tonight (Sunday) to the Kann News report that he had a "mole" within IDF senior command, which provided him with information prior to the cabinet, saying he was "proud" that he came "prepared" to cabinet meetings.

Smotrich released the following statement in response:

On "Kan 11," a full segment was aired about the Finance Minister coming prepared to cabinet discussions, after having dedicated time to learning and deepening his understanding.

Not only does the Minister admit this – he is even proud of it.

Minister Smotrich maintains continuous dialogue with soldiers and officers, past and present, learns about scenarios, listens to ideas, and brings them to cabinet discussions.

Looking for the "mole"? Enter any synagogue in Religious Zionism – you'll find there dozens, if not hundreds, of fighters and officers of all ranks, people who dedicate their lives to serving the state and its security.

The expectation that senior ministers should hear security information only through one channel is not only wrong – it is the very foundation of misconception.

The Minister will continue to act in every way to learn, challenge, listen, and deepen his understanding – because this is the path to victory for the State of Israel.

If only they had listened to the field ranks and Minister Smotrich a year ago, the leakage of humanitarian aid to Hamas would have been stopped then, the hostages would be closer to returning home, and victory would have been within reach.

And a final word to Suleiman Maswadeh and the editors at "Kan 11": Publishing a report about the Finance Minister faithfully fulfilling his role – that's certainly legitimate. But referring to IDF soldiers past and present as "moles"? That's simply inappropriate.

The cabinet is meeting tonight to discuss further measures against Hamas as well as the progress made in hostage negotiation talks.