Smotrich Slams Media for 'Inflating' Rival, Defends Government's Economic Record

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a sharp critique against Ofer Winter, chairman of 'Am Ech Yisrael,' in an interview on the "Sari and Schlesinger" podcast. Smotrich accused the media of exaggerating Winter's electoral prospects, stating his chances of passing the electoral threshold are "close to zero." He suggested the media is inflating Winter's image to make him believe he can succeed, potentially causing him to "bring down the right" by splitting the vote. Smotrich revealed that numerous individuals, including Winter's former army comrades and close friends, attempted to persuade him to join a technical bloc for the upcoming Knesset elections, offering to let him maintain his faction's identity. Smotrich warned that Winter is taking a "huge gamble on the country's future," recalling the 2019 election failure of Ayelet Shaked and Naftali Bennett despite their strong positions.

Smotrich also discussed his party's political maneuvering, revealing he wanted to appoint former Major General Yossi Bachar to the second spot on his list, but Bachar refused. He expressed a desire for Bachar to serve as a cabinet minister, leading security and settlement policy, believing Bachar's perspective was significantly shaped by the October 7th attacks. Smotrich emphasized that establishing settlements and farms in Judea and Samaria, fortifying the security belt, and eliminating the idea of a Palestinian state are crucial to preventing future disasters.

Addressing past disputes, Smotrich acknowledged harsh words exchanged with Moshe Feiglin of the Zehut party in 2019 but stressed that national unity is paramount. He defended his decision to sit with ultra-Orthodox parties in the government despite public anger, calling it the "right thing to do" to avoid destabilizing the country during wartime. Smotrich also voiced support for drafting ultra-Orthodox men, though he believes it should not be done by force.

Looking ahead, Smotrich expressed deep concern about a potential government led by figures like Yair Golan and Benny Gantz, fearing they would establish a Palestinian state, evacuate settlements, and dismantle right-wing institutions. He criticized the Likud party for allegedly blocking his dairy reform and hindering efforts to break up monopolies, attributing this to "communist cells within the Likud." Smotrich also condemned an attempt to oust Yehuda Eliyahu from his position as head of the Israel Land Authority, calling it a symptom of corruption and political cronyism.