Bezalel Smotrich on Donald Trump

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich strongly voiced his opposition to a peace plan proposed by former President Donald Trump, immediately following the Prime Minister's agreement to the proposal in Washington. Smotrich characterized the agreement as a “resounding diplomatic failure,” arguing that accepting the plan represented “an act of willful blindness that ignores every lesson of October 7.” He further warned that the consequences of adopting the proposal would result in tragedy, suggesting a firm belief that the framework ignores current realities and security imperatives. This strong stance signaled that his far-right party might withdraw from the governing coalition depending on the outcome of the Washington meeting.

The Finance Minister's reaction positioned him in direct opposition to the Prime Minister's reported acceptance of the plan while other far-right parties also considered their next political move. His critique suggested a major divergence in strategic thinking regarding negotiations and security from the government's top leadership, especially in the context of recent major security events. The minister emphasized that he needed to hold consultations before announcing any definitive action, such as leaving the government, but his initial assessment was clearly negative toward the US-backed proposal.