Retired General Gil Regev Finds More Common Ground With Palestinians Than With Smotrich
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Retired Major General Gil Regev stated he feels more human connection with Palestinians than with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, dismissing shared Jewish identity as "nonsense." Regev recalled positive interactions with Palestinians during his service, sharing meals and discussing life, which fostered a sense of closeness. He cited his age and established life as reasons for remaining in Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Retired Major General Gil Regev feels more connection to Palestinians than to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
- Regev dismissed shared Jewish identity as "nonsense" when asked about common ground with Smotrich.
- He recalled positive personal interactions with Palestinians, sharing meals and discussing life.
- These encounters created a human closeness he does not feel with Smotrich.
- Regev cited his age and established life as reasons for remaining in Israel.
Retired Major General Gil Regev, former head of the IDF's Manpower Directorate, stated that he feels a greater human connection with Palestinians than with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Regev, a former fighter pilot, made these remarks during a conversation on the All-in podcast with Guy Peleg.
When asked about the commonality between himself and Smotrich, Regev emphatically replied, "Nothing." He dismissed the suggestion that their shared Jewish identity was a common bond, calling it "nonsense." Regev explained that while he is Jewish, his connection is based on shared human experiences rather than religious or national identity.
Regev recounted past encounters with Palestinians in various capacities during his service, including in Rafah, Sinai, and Judea and Samaria. He described working alongside Palestinians on construction projects, sharing meals like hummus and olives, and discussing everyday life. These interactions, he said, fostered a sense of human closeness and understanding, leading him to believe "we have more in common with them than I will ever have with Smotrich."
When questioned about his decision to remain in Israel despite his feelings, Regev cited his age and established life. "I'm old, where would I go? I have family, friends, I'm in a bubble," he responded, indicating his deep roots in the country.
