Far-right Israeli minister praises Trump’s stance on Gaza war

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed gratitude to US President-elect Donald Trump for his “refreshing” and “morally sound statements” regarding the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. Trump warned there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if Israeli captives held in Gaza were not released before his January 20 inauguration.

In a post on X, Smotrich said Trump’s remarks “do not create a false equivalence or call for addressing ‘both sides,’ but rather clarify who are the good and who are the bad” in the ongoing conflict.

He further stated, “This is the way to bring back the hostages: by increasing the pressure and the costs for Hamas and its supporters, and defeating them, rather than giving in to their absurd demands.”