Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, one of the more extreme members of the Israeli government, will travel to Washington in the coming days to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. His visit could have significant implications for US policy toward Israel’s goal of annexing the occupied West Bank.
Smotrich is an outspoken proponent of the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements in the Strip. He is known for genocidal rhetoric, previously saying it may be “moral and justified” for Israel to starve to death two million Palestinians living in Gaza.
According to The Times of Israel, the Biden administration had a tacit policy of boycotting Smotrich and other extremist ministers. But President Biden still provided Israel with the weapons needed to achieve the goals of Smotrich and other far-right Israeli politicians.
Smotrich also holds a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry, which gives him the ability to expand settlements in the West Bank. A settler himself, Smotrich has long been on record calling for the Israeli annexation of the territory and has said that President Trump’s second term in office gives Israel the “opportunity” to advance that goal.
Smotrich has also praised President Trump’s plan for the US to “take over” Gaza, which would require ethnic cleansing. Earlier this month, Smotrich claimed that Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza would begin “within weeks.”
The news of Smotrich’s visit comes as the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal is incredibly fragile amid continued Israeli violations. Smotrich has threatened to quit the government if Israel doesn’t restart its genocidal war after the first phase, which ends on Saturday.
Smotrich has claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave him a guarantee that after the first phase, Israel would restart military operations in Gaza with the goal of a “gradual takeover of the entire Gaza Strip.”
Dear Antiwar, I can't handle all the good news.
The other day I made a comment in the vein of. "Is there ever any other news here than Israel doing what it wants"
You have a choice of reading other independent media…! However, Israel issue is a global issue and downing Israel equates diminishing US hegemony…!
Oh I understand. Maybe I did not elaborate. Yes, the news is important but it is always the same and it appears not much is done about it other than giving Israel free reign with help of the USA and some in the EU.
Even Israel's finance minister advocates genocide.
This crackpot has no influence on Trump policy. The Treasury secretary should have more important things to do then meet with him.
I would cheer if the USA took over management of Gaza, because the zionists will not like that. They want full control, all they want from us is money.
"I would cheer if the USA took over management of Gaza" The current USA plan led by the felon is to kick the Palestinians out of Gaza. Is the what you want?
Smotrich was invited by Bessent in a call two weeks ago, said Smotrich spokesperson Eitan Fuld. They will meet around the weekend of March 8-9.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-from-cold-smotrich-to-meet-us-treasury-chief-in-washington-next-week/
So, wasn't Bessent appointed by Trump? And yet HE invited Smotrich. The same guy the Biden administration boycotted from meeting. What does that say about Trump? Anything good? Pretty sad when pudding brain makes him look bad.
"I would cheer if the USA took over management of Gaza, because the zionists will not like that."
That's a cute way of supporting ethnic cleansing. But when the Don does it, one must twist oneself into a pretzel in order to make it sound like a good thing. You really are a special kind of cult member.
“This crackpot has no influence on Trump policy.” Just like Netanyahu and Adelson had no influence on Trump policy when he made Jerusalem the capital, trashed the JCPOA, and “recognized” Israel’s non-existent sovereignty over the Golan Heights, all actions which clearly did not advance US interests? If you think the end game here is anything other than Israeli control over Gaza, something Trump is very aware of, you are delusional.
No money to 'take over Gaza'. Let them fight it out without American support. America is broke and trillions in debt. Enough is enough. We have enough issues to deal with here in the USA without giving away billions to enrich the few at the expense of the US taxpayers.
"His visit could have significant implications for US policy toward Israel’s goal of annexing the occupied West Bank." –More than it already is!? How long does he need to stay?
If Trump snubs this guy… I would believe in his moment rationality…!
Does he come with his begging bowl?…!…?….
Original source Jerusalem Post, and doesn’t account for tank action doing the same:
‘Anything That Moved’: Israel Admits Air Force Applied Hannibal Directive on Oct 7
February 28, 2025
https://www.palestinechronicle.com/anything-that-moved-israel-admits-air-force-applied-hannibal-directive-on-oct-7/
Also around 10:30 a.m., air force jets started bombing Hamas command positions with 1,000 pound MK-84 bombs.
The air force would carry out about 945 attacks, with helicopters firing 11,000 times.
Will Trump give this grifter and beggar the same treatment as Zelensky? I don't think he will, actually.
If there is any money saved from Ukraine war, it will most likely be given to Israel. Maybe that's why this beggar is coming? can't get their too soon before Trump may change his mind.
Begging bowl in hand….