Smotrich Says Iran Deal Is Bad for Israel, Opposition Blasts Netanyahu

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday morning that the agreement with Iran is “bad for Israel and for the entire free world.” He said Israel would have to continue the campaign to bring down the regime “by ourselves, and in creative ways,” and make sure Iran never gets nuclear weapons.

After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump that Israel does not plan to withdraw from Lebanon, Smotrich wrote that Lebanon would be a test. “This is our war, our fighters, and the immediate security of our northern residents,” he said, adding that he would keep working so Israel “stands firm” and gives the IDF “full freedom of action” to keep pushing Hezbollah away.

Smotrich also mocked opposition figures who criticize Netanyahu, saying none of the self-styled candidates for prime minister could withstand even 10% of the pressure now on the government and its leader. Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Gadi Eisenkot said the emerging deal was being shaped far from Israel and against its interests, calling it the result of a failing government that lacked strategy and leadership for nearly three years after the October 7 disaster.

Democrats chairman Yair Golan went further, saying Israelis woke up to a U.S.-Iran deal made over Israel’s head. He said the agreement erased major military gains, left Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in place, preserved the ballistic threat, and gave Tehran’s regime a lifeline. Golan accused Netanyahu of years of strategic failure and said, “Netanyahu is good for Hamas. Netanyahu is good for Iran. Netanyahu is good for Hezbollah.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir focused on Lebanon, saying Trump’s deal does not bind Israel and that Israel must not compromise on dismantling Hezbollah, withdrawing from no captured ground, or tolerating rocket fire.