Finance Minister Smotrich Warns Right-Wing Is Asleep, Fears Return to Oslo Path

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich issued a statement following his party's primary elections and the unveiling of its Knesset candidate list. He praised the successful democratic process and the chosen candidates, calling them a winning team committed to Israel, its people, Torah, and land. Smotrich emphasized the party's achievements despite years of defamation, highlighting their significant contributions across security, settlement expansion, economic growth during wartime, judicial reforms, and preserving Israel's Jewish identity.

He refuted claims that the party only focused on Judea and Samaria, citing massive investments in northern Israel's defense and development, tax benefits in the periphery, support for reservists, mental health reforms, and aid for new immigrants and young families. Smotrich also asserted that his party actively opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state within Israel.

Warning about the future, Smotrich expressed grave concern over the possibility of a government led by Gadi Eizenkot and left-wing parties. He compared the current right-wing's state to the 1992 elections before the Oslo Accords, fearing a dangerous left-wing government supported by Arab parties. He accused Eizenkot of threatening to dismantle security lines in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, abandoning a policy of strength for one of appeasement, and predicted that Defense Minister Yair Golan would close the Eli pre-military academy, evacuate settlements, and dismantle settlement and farm projects.