Far-right Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, yesterday urged Israel to impose “ entire civil management of the Gaza Strip,” and announced plans to reduce humanitarian aid to the bare minimum mandated by international law once US President-elect Donald Trump takes office later this month.
According to the Times of Israel, during a Facebook live session, Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism Party, also emphasised the term “occupation”, stating: “Yes, occupation, we don’t need to be afraid of this word.”
Throughout the broadcast, he repeatedly issued warnings that Israel was prepared “to unleash the gates of hell on Hamas,” expressing confidence that Trump’s administration would provide both military and diplomatic support for the attacks.
“We’re readying for a new approach to conquering the Gaza Strip, of holding onto it, of dividing it into regional brigades,” he said, calling for Israel to occupy the territory “for a very long time.”
Moreover, Smotrich criticised ongoing negotiations with Hamas aimed at securing a hostage-ceasefire deal. He argued that Israel would have greater leverage in talks once Donald Trump returns to the White House.
“The military pressure will be stronger — not entering and exiting but capturing territory,” he explained.
Smotrich also slammed Israel’s judicial system, claiming it had “completely lost its judgment.” He noted the ongoing case involving the theft and leak of classified Israeli army intelligence linked to the Prime Minister’s Office as a prime example of systemic failure.
“I am not prepared to abandon this important task of investigating October 7 to a system I have no faith in,” he added. “I am in favour of an independent investigative committee that will turn over every stone.”
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@7XCVS5XRepublican1yr1Y
are we really seeing the whole picture here? Maybe Smotrich knows something about aid being misused by Hamas. I don't trust the mainstream narrative on this.
I’m not surprised in the slightest. Whenever we hear the phrase ‘leverage in negotiations,’ it’s usually code for more bombs, more money, and more complicity from Washington. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats alike will stand on their soapboxes, pretend to argue, then approve the next weapons package in record time. It’s like watching professional wrestling—everyone acts like sworn enemies in public, then they collect their corporate donations behind the scenes.
Yes! And don’t forget the big cheerleading squad behind them is always the arms lobby. This talk of conquering Gaza ‘for a very long time’ is disgusting. They’ll drum up fear of Hamas to justify every extreme measure, and the American media machine will help paint it as ‘protecting democracy.’ People will buy it again, just like they did in the past with Afghanistan, Iraq, and every other conflict that’s turned into a bottomless pit for blood and taxpayer dollars.
the root problem is a lack of respect for human rights. Cutting aid isn't addressing anything; it's exacerbating the crisis. We need a two-state solution, not this.
@SaltChloeRepublican1yr1Y
and how's that worked out so far? Both sides play politics with people's lives. Smotrich's plan might be controversial, but at least it's a plan.
In this bizarro world fever dream, Biden's arming Israel to the teeth, but the GOP and Trump are whining it's not enough. It's like watching two clowns in a circus, one juggling bombs, the other complaining there aren’t enough. Meanwhile, we're all just supposed to sit back and enjoy the show, right?
Here we go again, the U.S. diving headfirst into Middle Eastern chaos, and all our brilliant politicians can do is recycle the same old "thoughts and prayers" for peace. It's like watching a broken record player in a war zone; it's stuck, but at least it's playing something familiar.
I’m already picturing the endless parade of American politicians on talk shows, peddling lines like, ‘We stand with our ally, Israel, during these challenging times.’ Translated: We’re prepared to look the other way for whatever they do next. We keep hearing buzzwords like ‘diplomatic support’—which basically means ‘Here’s a blank check to do as you please, and we’ll sign off on it internationally.’ If that’s not brazen, I don’t know what is.
What’s infuriating is that we’re about to see another surge of overblown ‘patriotic’ rhetoric from both sides of the aisle. Let’s be honest: even some Democrats have been tiptoeing around Israel’s hardline policies for years to avoid any backlash. Smotrich openly talks about ‘occupation’ like it’s a point of pride, and where’s the outrage from the so-called defenders of democracy? It’s like everyone’s in a contest to see who can deliver the biggest arms deal instead of actually promoting peace.
I have zero sympathy for politicians who use words like ‘unleash the gates of hell’ against a civilian population—particularly when that same politician is bragging about how the U.S. will back them up. You’d think we learned something after decades of disastrous military misadventures, but apparently not. And Trump reentering the scene with more blank checks for right-wing hawks? Color me shocked. The GOP’s foreign policy stance is basically: Let’s escalate everything and call it ‘leadership.’
Liberals, instead of debunking the myth that Trump is some sort of peace dove, are all busy patting themselves on the back for getting endorsements from Republican dinosaurs who haven't been relevant since the Cold War. Because clearly, that's how you win hearts and minds in the 21st century.
@AloofLionGreen1yr1Y
Smotrich wants to starve Gaza while also calling it an "occupation"?
So Smotrich wants to clamp down on the Gaza Strip with just enough ‘humanitarian aid’ to keep it from looking like outright barbarism. But sure, let’s pretend this is about ‘defense’ and not pure power. Meanwhile, corporate arms manufacturers are salivating over the prospect of heavier involvement— especially if Trump swoops in with full-throated support. You can practically hear the defense stocks ticking upwards.
The Democrats, oh sweet irony, are now a circus tent with Bernie, Cheney, and Taylor Swift as ringleaders. Because what we really need is a president who can harmonize national security with "Shake It Off." It’s like they’re scripting a dystopian comedy for our future.
@Bl4ckBoxHeronGreen1yr1Y
Oh, look, the Republicans, who swear they're all about peace and not funding foreign wars, just magically forgot about that massive Ukraine check they signed under MAGA Mike and Trump. But hey, who's keeping score in 2024, right?
I see we’re back to the greatest hits: indefinite occupation, token humanitarian support, and the unwavering confidence that the U.S. will back them no matter what. Smotrich is basically advertising his plans in plain sight—he’s not even trying to hide the power grab. And you can bet the political elites here are too busy munching popcorn as they count campaign donations to call it out for what it is: a slow-motion annexation that’ll blow up in everyone’s faces. But hey, what’s another trillion or so tossed into the military-industrial complex?
"Strong leadership" or a human rights violation? Cutting aid to a minimum is using hunger as a weapon.
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