The Biden administration now considers Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich a “persona non grata,” Channel 12 News reported on Friday. The administration is furious about Smotrich’s statement that “Huwara should be wiped out,” and according to the report, a US source told Channel 12: “If Smotrich was ‘persona non grata’ before this statement, now…he is ‘persona non grata’ on steroids.’ No official American official will meet with Smotrich.” According to the report, US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also expressed his fury at Smotrich. “I’m really angry with him, he’s a fool,” he said. “He has a flight to Washington, and if I could, I would throw him off the plane.” However, the US Embassy in Israel denied the remarks attributed to Nides. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said last week that Smotrich’s comments were irresponsible, repugnant, and disgusting. Smotrich is scheduled to travel to the US to speak at an Israel Bonds conference in Washington from March 12-14. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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