Smotrich labels Bennett-Lapid bloc as Abbas servants
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JERUSALEM — Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Saturday accused the former Bennett-Lapid governing coalition of acting as an alliance of servants for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, escalating rhetoric between the current government and its predecessors.
Smotrich, a member of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, made the comments during a public address in Israel, drawing sharp criticism from political opponents who dismissed the characterization as inflammatory. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions regarding the administration's approach to the Palestinian territories and the legacy of the previous unity government.
The Finance Minister's statement targeted the coalition led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, which governed Israel for a brief period before collapsing in late 2022. Smotrich described the bloc's policies as subservient to Abbas, suggesting that their governance agenda prioritized Palestinian Authority interests over Israeli security concerns.
Critics of Smotrich's comments argued that the characterization was factually inaccurate and politically motivated. Supporters of the former coalition emphasized that the Bennett-Lapid government pursued a strategy of engagement with Palestinian leadership while maintaining security operations in the West Bank. They rejected the notion that the previous administration served Abbas, noting that the coalition included right-wing parties that opposed Palestinian statehood.
The Palestinian Authority has not issued an immediate response to Smotrich's remarks. Abbas has frequently criticized Israeli governments for settlement expansion and restrictions on movement in the West Bank, but the specific accusation of the former coalition serving his interests marks a new development in the diplomatic discourse.
Political analysts suggest the comments reflect the current government's effort to distinguish its policies from those of the previous administration. The Netanyahu-led government has taken a harder line on Palestinian issues, with Smotrich playing a central role in shaping settlement policy and security operations in the occupied territories.
The controversy adds to the polarized political climate in Israel, where debates over the Palestinian issue remain a central dividing line. Smotrich's remarks are expected to fuel further debate in the Knesset and among the public, with opposition parties likely to challenge the characterization during upcoming parliamentary sessions.
It remains unclear whether the comments will lead to formal diplomatic protests or impact ongoing negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian representatives. The situation continues to develop as political figures on both sides prepare to respond to the escalating rhetoric.