Smotrich Warns of Left-Wing Violence and Censorship Amid Eden Ben Zaken Controversy

At a Religious Zionism party conference in Efrat, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attendance at a concert by singer Eden Ben Zaken, dismissing criticism as left-wing censorship. Smotrich contrasted the backlash against Netanyahu with the applause received by Benny Gantz and Yoav Galant at a previous Shlomo Artzi concert, accusing the left of violent tactics to silence opponents.

Smotrich warned that if the left comes to power, it would lead to a "season government" marked by purges, including the removal of figures like Gofman, Zini, and Yehuda Eliyahu, and the shutdown of Channel 14. He cited past actions such as the closure of Channel 7 and arrests of young activists as evidence of the left's dangerous approach.

He concluded with a sharp critique of the left's methods, questioning the source of their "dangerous violent energies" and condemning what he described as their aggressive political behavior.