Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Smotrich tells US to 'wise up' about Palestinian state

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Jan 2024 23:55
  • 4 Shares
4 Min Read

Bezalel Smotrich alleged that the establishment of a Palestinian state would be a push for "the next massacre."

  • x
  • Smotrich tells US to
    Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset in al-Quds on July 10, 2023. (AP)

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that there is "broad consensus" in the Israeli occupation against a Palestinian state, calling such a state a "push for the next massacre."

In an X post, the far-right Israeli minister said “Israel’s friends should understand that the push for the establishment of a Palestinian state is a push for the next massacre, God forbid, and [poses] a threat to the existence of the State of Israel.”

He declared that the White House must “wise up on the concepts that led to [this] national disaster in 'Israel.'”

This comes as the Israeli newspaper Haaretz recently warned of the alarming consequences that Netanhyahu's extremist Finance Minister's unfiltered fascist discourse could have on Israeli PR. 

"Smotrich poses a danger to Israel. He incites war in the West Bank. His statements serve South Africa to attribute intents of war crimes to Israel, and everything he says and does harms relations with the United States and undermines its commitment to stand by Israel against its enemies. This is because the United States does not support or intend to support the settlement project and the transfer of Smotrich and his friends," it said.

In its editorial page, Haaretz warned that Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, continues to promote escalation in Gaza by making provocative and extremist statements, in addition to seizing Palestinian taxes and preventing them from reaching their rightful recipients in the Palestinian Authority.

Haaretz adds that "neither the requests of US President Joe Biden, nor the visits of his Secretary of State Antony Blinken or the lawsuit against Israel on charges of genocide in Gaza in the International Court of Justice in The Hague will silence Smotrich or prevent him from exploiting the war to pursue his Messianic dreams of an undemocratic Jewish state from the river to the sea."

Related News

Iraq’s PMF law seen as test of sovereignty amid US objections

Notorious Palantir lands record $10bln contract with the US Army

The newspaper pointed to the clear contradiction between the American stance and Smotrich's extremist positions, which he insists on not compromising. Blinken said at the end of his recent visit to "Tel Aviv" that Netanyahu made it clear to him that "Israel" will not forcibly displace the Palestinians out of Gaza.

Additionally, Blinken called on the Israeli Cabinet's Ministry of Finance to transfer all tax funds to the Palestinian Authority.

Tax revenue seizure: Netanyahu, Smotrich, US, and the PA

After the onset of the war in Gaza, the occupation's extremist Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, decided to suspend the transfer of all tax revenue funds.

This decision was later mitigated by the collective Israeli occupation government. It was decided that tax revenues would be transferred, except for the portions meant for Gaza, which will be withheld by the occupation as it tries to choke the Strip in its ongoing genocidal war.

The Palestinian Authority, however, rejected this proposal of a partial transfer of tax revenues, insisting on the release of all Palestinian tax revenues. 

Tax revenues are the main source of income for the Palestinian Authorities and the source of the PA security apparatus' monthly salary. The PA's refusal to accept a partial transfer of tax revenues puts it and its security apparatus at risk of dissolution. Thus, the US had to intervene to prevent the potential collapse of the PA, which could lead to a violent escalation in the West Bank. 

Biden proposed transferring the withheld tax revenues to Norway for safekeeping until a satisfactory arrangement is reached. 

The PA approved the US proposal and accepted taking partial revenues if the withheld Gaza revenues were transferred to Norway for safekeeping.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has expressed opposition to the release of any of the funds, even indirectly through Norway or partially to the West Bank, and has threatened to resign over the issue, which could put the Prime Minister's coalition government at risk.

  • Bezalel Smotrich
  • United States
  • Palestine
  • US President Joe Biden
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS