White House Criticizes Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich Over Remarks on the potencial Hostage Deal

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby sharply criticized Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Friday evening, following Smotrich’s condemnation of a proposed hostage deal mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Kirby accused Smotrich of endangering the lives of Israeli hostages and jeopardizing national security by opposing the deal.

"Statements by Israeli parties that attack the deal endanger the lives of the abductees and Israel's national security interests," Kirby said. He condemned Smotrich's view that exchanging abductees for prisoners amounted to surrendering to Hamas. Kirby argued that Smotrich's stance, which suggests continuing the war indefinitely without prioritizing the hostages' lives, is "completely wrong" and misleads the Israeli public.

Smotrich criticized the mediators

Earlier in the day, Smotrich criticized the mediators, claiming they had equated Israeli hostages with Hamas terrorists in prison. He argued that releasing terrorists would halt the war before Hamas was fully defeated, allowing them to regroup and pose further threats to Israel. Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand firm against what he described as a "dangerous trap" set by the mediators.

Kirby countered Smotrich’s remarks by pointing out that Israel has already achieved most of its military objectives, except the explicit goal of returning the abductees. He emphasized that prisoner exchanges do not imply equality between hostages and terrorists, citing that most Hamas leaders are now dead, and the group's military capabilities have been significantly diminished.

"surrender agreement" on Israel

Kirby also dismissed Smotrich's claim that the mediators were forcing a "surrender agreement" on Israel. He reaffirmed President Joe Biden's commitment to protecting Israel and ensuring that any agreement does not compromise Israel's security. Kirby added that Qatar had promised American officials that a Hamas representative would attend the summit, which was expected next Thursday.

In response to recent American sanctions against settlers and organizations in Judea and Samaria, Smotrich labeled the move as "illegitimate" and an attempt to impose the creation of a Palestinian state. He vowed to continue his work in the Ministry of Defense and his efforts to expand settlements, declaring that no pressure would sway him from his mission. Smotrich reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, stating that such an outcome would threaten Israel’s existence.