Smotrich: Bennett is the left's useful idiot, doesn't shake hands

June 14, 2021   

The chairman of the Religious Zionist Party, MK Bezalel Smotrich, attacked Naftali Bennett this morning (Monday), claiming that he was the one who torpedoed the establishment of a right-wing government. In an interview he gave to Reshet B, Smotrich said: "Since the elections, I have not been interviewed by the media at all. I have been involved up to my neck in the establishment of a right-wing government. I have invested all my time and efforts in preventing the establishment of a left-wing government with supporters of terrorism. I also met with Bennett. There were also draft agreements, Naftali torpedoed that." Smotrich also addressed the accusations of the ultra-Orthodox Knesset members against him for torpedoing the establishment of a right-wing government: "Gafni wanted to rely on the votes of Ra'am and this is the worst thing that happened yesterday." Regarding the separation from his right, Smotrich said: "I separated from Bennett when he set himself the goal of replacing Netanyahu, which is why he is a member of the left. Everything was planned in advance. Bennett and his Yamina friends, people I saw as mutual friends, are joining this big hate camp." Smotrich clarified why he was not willing to be part of a government that relies on the Ra'am party, which he defined as the worst "terror-supporting party" of the Joint List: "There is a big difference whether the right organizes a meeting with the Arabs or the left does so." He emphasized: "Yesterday, Bennett and Sa'ar were not satisfied with Ra'am, Tibi waited outside the plenum, they agreed to form a government with the support of the Joint List. The Islamic movement is more dangerous. This is a party that undermines our existence." Smotrich attacked the attitude towards the prime minister, "I am one of Netanyahu's biggest critics, but Netanyahu's hatred is pathological. There is no glue that holds this government together other than that. Bennett is in the role of the useful idiot who helps them overthrow the right in order to establish power for themselves. I have no complaints about the left - people are allowed to think differently from me, all for the benefit of Israel." Regarding the vote on the family reunification law next week, Smotrich said: "I don't know how I will vote. I support a law that prevents family reunification, we'll see how we behave. The question is whether I need to save this government from itself. The responsibility is not on my shoulders. The goal is for this government to be as short-lived as possible." Smotrich also said today: "Bennett is an illegitimate prime minister. Maybe he is legal and of course we will obey his instructions, but he stole democracy, deceived and lied to the people of Israel. I admit, I am unable to shake his hand and say hello to him.".