Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich blasted Benny Gantz’s call for a “Hostage Recovery Government,” warning it would hand Hamas a victory, as he vowed total siege on Gaza, IDF escalation, annexation of territory, and historic haredi enlistment reform.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unleashed a sharp rebuke on Sunday against Benny Gantz’s proposal for a so-called “Hostage Recovery Government,” branding it a cover for surrender to Hamas.
In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, Smotrich accused the Blue and White chairman of exploiting the crisis:
“Gantz is unequivocally saying he wants to join to surrender. This wordplay around ‘hostage recovery’ means capitulating to Hamas’s demands.”
Smotrich declared Israel must pursue complete victory in Gaza, outlining a hardline plan:
- Mass evacuation of Gaza’s civilian population to isolate Hamas.
- “Total siege”: no food, water, fuel, or electricity until hostages are released.
- Forcing terrorists to die in tunnels or surrender.
- Annexation of parts of Gaza and establishment of Israeli communities as a “cost of defeat.”
On the haredi draft law, Smotrich struck a surprisingly reformist tone, calling for a historic compromise:
- A target of 50% enlistment of haredim within five years, backed by sanctions.
- Creation of special frameworks, hesder yeshivas, and prep programs for haredi soldiers.
- Stressing dialogue and agreement: “We are determined to bring about haredi enlistment and strengthen the IDF’s combat power—it’s an existential matter.”
Concluding, Smotrich mocked Gantz’s urgency:
“Populism is summed up in one word: ‘now.’ ‘Peace now,’ ‘hostages now,’ ‘enlistment now.’ We understand it’s a process. Victory requires patience and resilience.”
Smotrich’s remarks mark a bold fusion of military hardline and societal reform, signaling both escalation in Gaza and deep structural change at home.
