Smotrich: Settlers in the West Bank are the core of Israel's security

Translation SadaNews - Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, described the settlers in the West Bank on Monday as the core of Israel's security, stating that without their presence, we would have witnessed another October 7 in Kfar Saba.

Smotrich added during a security conference organized by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper in collaboration with the National Security Studies Institute, "I invest in (referring to the settlement agricultural farms) so that we do not see buses exploding in the middle of Tel Aviv," according to SadaNews translation.

He continued: "The violence attributed to the settlers in the West Bank is the least among the Israeli society... What is happening in the West Bank is a marginal phenomenon and there is a clear incitement campaign against them... Truly, the settlers are the least violent." He said.

He added: "We continue to strike 'terrorists' in the West Bank to prevent another attack like October 7, and the Palestinian Authority encourages this, so we are working to prevent the establishment of a 'terrorist' state, while at the same time we are working to establish new settlements."

Regarding Iran, Smotrich stated: "Maybe we achieved a result of 90%, but not 100%... We have achieved excellent results in all fields, we make strenuous efforts, and we pay a high price... This is a war of survival, there is no other choice."

He emphasized that Israel will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.