Finance Minister Smotrich Launches Sharp Attack on Opposition Over Hamas Conflict

In a closed meeting with his party representatives in Sderot, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a fierce critique against senior opposition leaders and their campaign, accusing them of attempting to push Israel toward surrender in the ongoing war against Hamas. Smotrich warned that had Israel yielded to the left-wing demands, Hamas would still control the borders and the communities surrounding Gaza would remain deserted.

Speaking at the event attended by municipal representatives including Sderot’s deputy mayor Elad Kalimi and Rabbi David Fendel, head of the Hesder Yeshiva, Smotrich emphasized the military progress in Gaza, stating that although Hamas has not been fully defeated, the Israel Defense Forces currently control 60 to 70 percent of the Gaza Strip.

The minister directly criticized political campaigns advocating for ceasefires and prisoner exchange deals, describing them as dangerous and irresponsible. He argued that such agreements would have left Hamas entrenched near Israeli communities, preventing residents from returning to the Gaza periphery. Smotrich also dismissed reliance on international guarantees and Security Council resolutions, questioning who would return to live in southern towns like Sderot under such conditions.

In a significant political development during the conference, Eliyahu (Lalo) Zohar, mayor of Kiryat Malakhi, publicly declared his support for Smotrich and his party ahead of the upcoming elections. Zohar cited deep gratitude for the minister’s ongoing efforts and the party’s contributions to advancing Kiryat Malakhi and other southern cities over recent years.

Smotrich’s remarks underscore the sharp political divisions within Israel regarding the handling of the Gaza conflict and highlight his party’s hardline stance against concessions to Hamas.