Finance Minister Smotrich's Visit to Kibbutz Be'eri Canceled Amid Controversy Over Hostage Remarks

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's planned visit to Kibbutz Be'eri was canceled on Monday following opposition from residents and families of victims from the October 7 attacks. They petitioned the kibbutz leadership to block his arrival due to his recent statements regarding the hostages. Smotrich was scheduled to tour Be'eri and Nir Oz in the Gaza envelope area to assess rehabilitation progress and hear community needs after the October 7 assault. However, the cornerstone ceremony for a new neighborhood in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, the main stop on the tour, is expected to proceed as planned.

The cancellation followed public backlash after Smotrich claimed in a podcast that all returned hostages owe their release to him, asserting that without his insistence against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, negotiations with Hamas would still be ongoing. These remarks drew criticism, especially since Smotrich had twice voted against hostage release frameworks, some of whom were later killed in captivity. Survivor Or Levy condemned Smotrich's comments, accusing him of obstructing deals and calling him a disgrace as a minister and citizen.

Residents who opposed the visit told Walla News they demanded the cancellation immediately after learning of the planned tour. The Finance Ministry has been contacted for comment, which will be published upon receipt.