Smotrich: Trump, Netanyahu will 'free Middle East' from Palestinian cause
'Israeli' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Saturday that US President Donald Trump and 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will work together to 'free the Middle East from its dependency on the Palestinian cause,' as he put it.
In a lengthy post on X, Smotrich strongly rejected the idea of establishing a Palestinian state, calling it a 'terrorist state,' and asserted that Tel Aviv 'will not agree to divide the land or hand over territory to the Palestinians.'
He described the Palestinian cause as 'one of the greatest lies spread by political correctness,' and praised Trump for what he claimed is the former president's history of 'exposing such lies.' Smotrich said both Trump and Netanyahu 'see things the same way,' expressing confidence in their shared political vision.
'We will lead the region toward many years of real peace, based on interests and strength, not on rewarding violence,' he wrote, adding that the coming phase will include an expansion of the Abraham Accords with broader Arab participation, particularly from Saudi Arabia.
In another part of his post, Smotrich praised what he called 'two weeks of national pride,' referring to recent strikes by the 'Israeli' military and Mossad on what he described as 'Iranian threats,' which he claimed have strengthened 'Israel's' regional standing.
He also criticized past peace efforts, vowing not to repeat what he called 'mistakes of the past,' and accused late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of 'double standards.' Smotrich declared that the 'Israeli' government 'will not accept superficial reforms within the Palestinian Authority, nor allow our cities to become another Gaza or Be'er Sheva.'
He concluded by expressing confidence in Netanyahu's leadership, stating: 'I know Netanyahu well. He understands the danger of a Palestinian state and strongly opposes it. He will not squander the victories achieved in this war.'
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