Finance Minister Smotrich Defends Settlement Funding Amidst Political Tensions
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is facing internal pressure regarding settlement funding and his political dealings with ultra-Orthodox parties. He expressed frustration over the perceived unwillingness of his constituents to make sacrifices, contrasting it with his own sons' military service. Smotrich also criticized those who he believes misled his voters.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces political pressure over settlement funding and ultra-Orthodox relations.
- Smotrich claims his constituents are unwilling to pay any price for his political agenda.
- He questioned the importance of ultra-Orthodox enlistment compared to his own sons' service.
- Smotrich accused unnamed individuals of creating a "false sense" among his voters.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been an effective minister in advancing the issue of settlements, which is important to him. However, Smotrich's "double game" with the ultra-Orthodox parties has come at a cost. In recent months, the Finance Minister has discovered that his constituents are unwilling to pay any price, especially when facing opposition from figures like Ofer Winter.
Smotrich stated in a social media conversation with journalist Ofra Lax, whose son was killed on October 7, "There were people who worked hard to create a false sense among my voters. They played with your head." He further elaborated on his stance regarding military conscription, saying, "My two sons are enlisting during the war. I sit in the cabinet, make a decision, send my children to Gaza, to Lebanon, to Syria, one was even wounded, does it not matter to me that the ultra-Orthodox enlist?!"
