Smotrich Attacks Yair Golan: His Positions Threaten the State and Settler Achievements in the West Bank

SadaNews Translation: Israeli Finance Minister and leader of the "Religious Zionism" party, Bezalel Smotrich, launched a sharp attack on former Deputy Chief of Staff and politician Yair Golan, considering that his positions pose a "threat to the state" in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding military service and settlement in the West Bank.

Smotrich stated in his remarks that what he described as the "ultra-Orthodox spirit" has led recruitment and enlistment rates in military service over the past two years, pointing out that the children of this segment "pay a higher human price than any other group," as translated by SadaNews. He added that Golan sees this spirit as a "danger to the state," which Smotrich strongly rejected.

Smotrich accused Golan of attempting, should he come to power, to undermine what he termed the "achievements" made in the West Bank and work towards establishing a Palestinian state, in addition to shutting down Channel 14, considering this move contrary to the principles of democracy according to SadaNews's translation.

Smotrich affirmed that his political camp "will do everything in its power" to prevent Golan and his allies from reaching power in Israel.

These statements come in the context of rising political dispute within Israel, with intensifying disagreements over mandatory conscription, the role of religious movements, the future of settlement, and media issues.