Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich delivered an ultimatum on Wednesday, warning that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu carries full responsibility for the war’s direction in Gaza. Smotrich insisted that if Netanyahu does not authorize the reoccupation of Gaza and set up a provisional military administration, then “his government has no right to exist.” Many observers viewed his remarks as a clear threat to dissolve the ruling coalition.
Smotrich’s sharp criticism followed a reported clash with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a tense meeting of the security cabinet Tuesday night, where disagreements surfaced over how to handle humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Reports from Hebrew media said tensions rose when Defense Minister Yisroel Katz told cabinet members that Israel would soon need to resume aid shipments into Gaza, provided safeguards are in place to prevent Hamas from seizing the supplies.
Zamir allegedly responded that the IDF would not take charge of delivering the aid, prompting a fiery response from Smotrich, who insisted that the army must fulfill the mission assigned to it. “The army does not choose its missions,” he told Zamir, adding, “We have specified to you that you need to prepare for this. We will decide the goal and you will decide how to complete it. If you are not capable, we will bring in someone capable. If you do not know how to do it, we will find someone who does.”
He added: “There is a new chief of staff, we waited, we were patient, and we have reached the moment in which we need to move on. The war cannot continue as it is now, and it cannot go on forever.”
According to reports, Smotrich walked out of the room when Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar began speaking, claiming he “needed to go to the bathroom.”
Smotrich had previously pledged to shun Bar after the High Court intervened to block his removal from office.
In a Wednesday morning statement, Smotrich doubled down, stressing that preventing aid from falling into Hamas’s hands remains essential to defeating the terror group. “Managing the civilian effort in Gaza in a way that does not fall into the hands of Hamas was and remains the most critical component for defeating Hamas and winning the war,” he said.
“Without internalizing and implementing this, we will not be able to win,” Smotrich stated, clarifying that his frustrations were not aimed at the army’s leadership but at the Prime Minister. “My criticism is of the prime minister, who does not enforce the implementation of the political echelon’s policy on the IDF.”
He firmly declared: “Introducing logistical aid that goes to Hamas is a step that I will not be a part of. Period!”
Again calling out Netanyahu directly, Smotrich said: “The prime minister is the one who is ultimately responsible. Launch a campaign to defeat Hamas, occupy Gaza and implement a temporary military government until another solution is found, return the hostages and launch the Trump plan — or this government has no right to exist.”
The Religious Zionism party, led by Smotrich, holds seven seats in the Knesset — not enough to topple the coalition on its own, which currently controls 68 seats.
Despite his prominent role, Smotrich’s influence has waned among his core national religious supporters, many of whom are frustrated over his inaction on drafting chareidim. Recent polls show his party could fall below the electoral threshold if elections were held today.
In contrast, Otzma Yehudit — Smotrich’s former electoral partner — has gained ground. The Channel 12 survey released earlier this month projected that the party, headed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, would win nine to ten seats.
Ben Gvir has taken an even more hawkish approach, exiting the coalition over the recent ceasefire and only rejoining when military operations resumed. Smotrich, though critical, did not follow suit.
Smotrich’s heated rhetoric has also drawn backlash from chareidi lawmakers after he recently said that “returning the hostages is not the most important thing” when compared to dismantling Hamas.
After United Torah Judaism chairman Moshe Gafni voiced his disapproval, Smotrich fired back, declaring that Gafni “has no right to talk about the war” and should “send his children to fight” before making such comments.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid seized on the Smotrich-Zamir confrontation to argue that Netanyahu’s coalition is unfit to achieve victory. Meanwhile, Ben Gvir dismissed the entire exchange as foolish, saying: “The entire Strip should not receive any ounce of aid, as long as our hostages are being held there.”
{Matzav.com Israel}