Smotrich on the American stage:
In a rare opinion piece aimed at American public opinion, Finance Minister designated by Otzma Yehudit Bezalel Smotrich wrote today (Wednesday) that the government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu aims to carry out infrastructure reforms in Judea and Samaria, but hinted that they do not intend to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria.
Under the title "The new Israeli government in Israel is not what you have heard", Smotrich published his opinion against the background of the concern in the US about the coalition that will be sworn in in the next day.
"Our reforms are aimed at developing the infrastructure, employment and economy of the region for the benefit of all," he wrote in reference to the fear in the international community of a possible annexation of the territories of Judea and Samaria while at the same time warning against the current situation, which he defined as "unsustainable."
Settlement in the south of Mount Hebron (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"This does not involve changing the political or legal status of the region. If the Palestinian Authority decides to devote part of its time and energy to the well-being of its citizens instead of demonizing Jews and financing the murder of Israelis, it will find in me a full partner in this effort," Smotrich added.
At the beginning of the article, the designated minister described how, according to him, the national camp is perceived in the American public opinion.
"The American media has destroyed me and the traditional bloc to which I belong since our success in the Israeli elections in November. They say that I am an extreme right-winger and that our bloc will bring about a "state of Halacha" in which Jewish Halacha rules. In reality, we seek to strengthen the freedoms of every citizen and the democratic institutions of the country, and bring Israel into closer alignment with the liberal American model," he clarified.
Smotrich defended his assumption of the position of Minister of Finance and promised that he would maintain a "broad free market policy" including the abolition of government price controls and import restrictions which he claimed "restricted competition and kept consumer prices high".
Regarding the issue of religion and state and in a nod to the LGBT minority, the senior member of Otzma Yehudit insisted that the future government "will never try to impose on a citizen something that goes against his faith."
The extraordinary article seeks to clarify Israel's position vis-à-vis the Jewish community in the US and the US government in light of the concern expressed by officials in Washington on the subject recently, and doubts about the nature of the future relationship between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
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