Smotrich tells US to 'respect Israeli democracy'

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the US needs to “respect Israeli democracy” when it comes to matters of Israel’s security.

Smotrich's comments were in response to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, who said the US would not allow “extremists” to push Gaza ceasefire negotiations off course.

“I respect the US’ position and thank it for its support for Israel in the face of regional threats, but I expect it to respect Israeli democracy and the position of Israel’s citizens and elected officials in relation to decisions that will affect the country’s security,” Smotrich said.

“The [Yahya] Sinwar surrender agreement, which leaves most of the abductees to die, which frees many murderers, returns the terrorists to the north of the Gaza Strip, abandons the border and allows Hamas to smuggle weapons and restore its strength to return and attack Israel as an arm of Iran, is bad for Israel,” the far-right minister said. Smotrich did not provide evidence for these claims.