Hostages’ families are heard ‘too much,’ Smotrich says during clash with relatives in Knesset

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the voices of hostages’ relatives are heard “too much,” as he argues with Ayala Metzger, the daughter-in-law of slain captive Yoram Metzger, during a Knesset committee meeting.

During the special committee held for families of reservists and security service members, Metzger decries the return to fighting in the Gaza Strip and urges the government to reach a deal to return the hostages held by terror groups.

“We thought that we were serving in the Israel Defense Forces and not the army of God’s vengeance. In these very moments, we are murdering hostages, and there is a deal on the table,” she says, adding that the government has chosen “to bury more hostages and soldiers, something that nobody wants.”

“There is a deal on the table, go discuss it,” she urges.

Apparently frustrated at their presence in the meeting, Smotrich asks the relatives of the hostages, “Why do you think you are allowed to shut others’ mouths?”

“We heard you. Get out. We are continuing. Stop thinking you have the right to take control of the conversation and not allow others to think differently from you. We also paid a price. Let’s not have a competition,” he says.

סמוטריץ' באמירה מזעזעת לבני משפחות חטופים: "שומעים אתכם יותר מדי בכל מקום. החוצה. שלום ולא להתראות" pic.twitter.com/mkOmNepmVa

— daniel amram – דניאל עמרם (@danielamram3) March 18, 2025

Smotrich then calls in Knesset guards to escort hostages’ relatives out of the room.

Another relative present in the committee says, “Nobody is hearing us anywhere,” before a Knesset guard approaches to escort him out.

“We hear you too much,” Smotrich says.