Smotrich: There is settler violence just like there is violence on the beach in Tel Aviv

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said at the National Security Conference that statistically there is the least violence among settlers in Judea and Samaria, and that it is a false and anti-Semitic campaign. He compared the violence to that on the beach in Tel Aviv, and emphasized that the settler public is devoted, idealistic, and heroic.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said this morning (Monday) at the National Security Conference of ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth in collaboration with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) that "statistically there is the least violence among the settlers in Judea and Samaria." According to him, the claims of settler violence are "an anti-Semitic campaign, a blood libel" in which even Israelis are cooperating. He compared the violence to that on the beach in Tel Aviv, and claimed that the settler public is "devoted, idealistic, pioneering, heroic" and constitutes "Israel's security belt." Smotrich also addressed the Iranian threat and said that Israel will not accept living under a nuclear umbrella. In addition, he attacked Gadi Eisenkot, called him "left-wing" and accused him of intending to withdraw from the security belt and evacuate settlements. These remarks were made against the backdrop of his announcement of the election results for the "Religious Zionism" list for the next Knesset.