ILFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated in an interview that he considered resigning approximately two months after the October 7 massacre but could not identify any wrongdoing in his actions. He described the immediate aftermath as a period of intense focus on managing the war, economy, and legislation, leaving little time for reflection. Smotrich emphasized his opposition to past agreements like Oslo and the Gaza withdrawal, citing personal experiences including Shin Bet detention. He claimed credit for the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza, asserting that his firm stance during negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led to their release. However, former hostage Or Levy criticized Smotrich, accusing him of treating hostages as collateral damage and calling him a disgrace.
Bias read (Conservative): The article presents Smotrich’s self-defense and justification for his actions, emphasizing his ideological stances and downplaying criticism. It includes direct quotes from Smotrich defending his decisions and highlights his controversial claims about the hostage situation, while briefly mentioning
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