Finance Minister Smotrich's Policies Criticized for Exclusion and Ineffectiveness
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is criticized for his rhetoric on "Judaizing" the Galilee and his alleged failure to increase Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria. An activist rally organized by his party excluded women from photos, raising concerns about his views on gender equality and Arab citizens. The article suggests his policies reflect a "racist and misogynistic" ideology.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Smotrich's "Judaization" plans for the Galilee are criticized as promoting incitement.
- Smotrich is accused of failing to increase Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria.
- An activist rally organized by Smotrich's party allegedly exaggerated attendance figures.
- No women were featured in official photos from the Religious Zionist movement's rally.
- The article links Smotrich's policies to a "racist and misogynistic" ideology.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent actions, including a promise to "Judaize" the Galilee and a large activist rally in Jerusalem, have drawn criticism for reflecting a dangerous worldview and a disconnect between rhetoric and reality. Even if one accepts the premise that increasing Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria serves national interest, Smotrich is accused of failing in his stated goal of "Judaizing" the region. He has now pledged to replicate his approach in the Galilee, evoking a historical parallel to "what we did in '48," which the author interprets as promoting incitement and hatred rather than positive immigration. This raises concerns for Arab farmers in the Galilee about their future under such policies.
Further criticism targets Smotrich's perceived disregard for Arab citizens and women. An event organized by the Religious Zionist movement, which Smotrich claimed drew 5,500 participants, was reportedly held in a venue with a capacity of only 3,000, suggesting either a violation of occupancy limits or an exaggeration for political gain. More significantly, no women were visible in the photos and videos released by Smotrich's office from the event, which the author suggests indicates a problematic view of women within his party, potentially seeing them as either too desirable or as second-class citizens unfit for public gatherings.
The article argues that this exclusion of women extends to their absence in leadership roles, government positions, and the Knesset. It contrasts this with past values of the Religious Zionist movement, which included co-ed activities and a focus on broader values rather than strict gender segregation or restrictive interpretations of religious law. The author links Smotrich's current policies and rhetoric to a "racist and misogynistic" fantasy, drawing a parallel to a past statement he made about unfulfilled sexual fantasies.
