Smotrich walks back Huwara comments during US visit

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich walked back his call for the IDF to wipe out the West Bank Palestinian town of Huwara during a public address he delivered in Washington, DC to the Israel Bonds organization.

“I want to say a few words about the elephant in the room,” Smotrich told the group on Sunday evening.

“As I have already said and written and repeat now with sincere regret, my comments about Huwara created a completely mistaken impression.

“I stand before you now as always committed to the security of the State of Israel, to our shared values, and to the highest moral commitment of our armed forces to protect every innocent life, Jew or Arab,” Smotrich said.

He created an international diplomatic storm for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government when he issued his original statement at a conference by the business news organization The Marker, just days after a vigilante settler attack against the town in which a Palestinian man was killed and dozens of homes and cars were torched.

Smotrich’s words carried special weight because he is a member of Israel’s security cabinet, which helps set military policy including with respect to the West Bank. He is also a minister within the Defense Ministry tasked with oversight for civilian life in Area C of the West Bank. Over half of Huwara is located in Area C.

Smotrich has since then attempted to explain that the interpretation of his words was that the IDF should route out any terror activity in the town and that he had not meant for his statement to be taken literally.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price called his statement “disgusting.” In addition, there were calls for the Biden administration not to grant him a visa.

Protesters gather outside hotel where Smotrich addresses Israel Bonds

Protesters from several Israeli and Jewish American groups gathered Sunday outside the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where he spoke on Sunday evening, as activists called out “shame” and “democracy.”

Those who arrived expressed frustration both with Smotrich and with the government he represents, focusing in particular on its judicial overhaul program which it fears will weaken Israeli democracy.

Rabbi Andy Gordon and Rabbi Alyssa Sachs Cohen who attended the rally came from Baltimore, Maryland. “As American Jews, we have a really strong relationship with Israel and we love Israel but it’s important for us to care about the values that Israel was founded upon; The idea of democracy, the idea that it’s a Jewish homeland for all, and that we care for all Israel citizens,” said Sachs Cohen.

“Democracy in Israel is essential to the soul of the nation,” said Sachs Cohen. “I care about Israel, and I want to see Israel remain a democratic state for all.”

Arie Liebowitz from New York said: “Israel is very important in our lives and the lives of many people around the world as a democratic society, as a Jewish society. I’m opposed to the policies of the current government. I have friends and family living in Israel and I want them to know that we support them and we hope soon that things will change for the better.”

Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer spoke at the rally, which was organized by UnXeptable. “While American Jews respect the right of Israelis to elect whomever they choose, we have the right to express support for democracy, whether here or in Israel,” she said.

מאות מפגינים בבוסטון@YallaTikva @UnxeptableD pic.twitter.com/j1z2RUPO0e

— Nir Gertner (/'niʁ/, he/him) (@nir_g) March 12, 2023

“We also have the right – indeed the obligation – to speak out when Israeli officials express views that are antithetical to the very foundation of US-Israel relations,” said Soifer. She went on to say that “Israel Bonds is wrong to have provided Minister Smotrich this platform, and we are here today to make it clear that his rhetoric is an affront to our Jewish and democratic values, which Jewish Dems will continue to defend in Israel and in the United States.”

Before the rally, several Israeli entrepreneurs voiced concerns about the “grave risk to [the] Start-Up Nation” during a press conference.

Yonatan Striem-Amit, CTO and co-founder of Cybereason, said, “This new legislation systemically removes all limitations on naked political power in Israel. As a result, basic rights and norms will be at the mercy of whomever will have won the last election. These proposed changes damage the very fabric of Israeli society and have already begun to drive those who share our values for an open democratic society out of Israel.”

During his stay in Washington, Smotrich isn’t expected to meet any senior administration officials.

The Religious Zionist Party head will meet with Orthodox organizations and with representatives of the banking community.