Smotrich: 'After October 7, I tried to think what I did wrong – and found nothing'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in an interview to the 'Geekonomy' podcast that after the October 7 massacre he tried to think what he did wrong – and found nothing. He said he considered resigning about two months after the event, but concluded he was not at fault. The remarks drew sharp reactions from the October Council and former hostages.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich gave an interview to the 'Geekonomy' podcast hosted by Ram Sherman, published today (Tuesday). In the episode, the minister was asked whether he considered resigning after the October 7 events. He replied that he thought about it about two months after the massacre, but added: 'When I tried to think what I did wrong – I found nothing.' Smotrich described the first months as robotic 24/7 work managing the war and the economy, followed by an emergency routine that allowed reflection. He emphasized his opposition to the Oslo Accords and the expulsion from Gush Katif, and noted he was once arrested by the Shin Bet. In response, the October Council said: 'Our children, brothers, and parents are the ones to blame for trusting you and being murdered on your watch.' Former hostage Or Levi called him 'a disgrace of a minister, a disgrace of a citizen, and a disgrace of a human being.' The remarks join a previous statement by Smotrich that 'thanks to him' all hostages returned, despite his voting against release deals.