Israeli Finance Minister Advocates for Expansion of Israel's Borders to Damascus

Smotrich's Controversial Remarks

Bezalel Smotrich, the hardline Minister of Finance in Israel, has come under fire for advocating for the expansion of Israel's borders to Damascus. This controversial statement was made during an interview for a documentary titled "In Israel: Ministers of Chaos," produced by the European public service channel, Arte. Smotrich suggested that Israel would gradually expand to include all Palestinian territories, as well as Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. He cited the "greater Israel" ideology, which envisions the expansion of the state across the Middle East, as the basis for his statement.

Reactions to Smotrich's Comments

Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quick to condemn Smotrich's remarks, labeling them as dangerous and "racist." Smotrich had previously referenced the "greater Israel" concept during a memorial service for a Likud activist in Paris. He made the controversial statement that there was "no such thing" as the Palestinian people, while standing in front of a map of Israel that included Jordan. Following these remarks, the French foreign ministry announced that they did not plan to meet with Smotrich during his visit to the country.

Smotrich's Role and Influence

In addition to serving as the finance minister, Smotrich wields significant power over the occupied West Bank. In August, he voiced his support for blocking aid to Gaza, arguing that it would be justified and moral to do so until their hostages were returned.

Previous Controversial Statements

Earlier this year, Smotrich suggested that the state of Israel should "wipe out" the Palestinian village of Huwwara, following a violent rampage by Israeli settlers.

Bottom Line

The controversial remarks by Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have sparked a heated debate. His advocacy for the expansion of Israel's borders to include several Middle Eastern countries has been met with widespread criticism. His comments raise questions about the future of Israel's relationship with its neighboring countries and the potential for increased tension in the region. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and join the discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.