Smotrich: My comments on starving Gazans taken out of context; I don’t endorse the policy

Facing a chorus of condemnations from governments abroad and American Jewish organizations, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says his comments regarding the starvation of Gazans have been taken out of context and that he was not endorsing the idea.

“God forbid. This was not said in any way. I suggest that everyone watch the video from the conference [where I made the remarks]. They did not understand what I said. I am used to being demonized all over the world,” Smotrich tells the Kan public broadcaster.

“What I said is that we must allow in humanitarian aid because no one will let us starve Gazans, but what I also said is that morally we must [condition the entry of humanitarian aid on the return of our hostages, which is also a humanitarian issue],” Smotrich says.

“The hostages are languishing in the tunnels and we pamper the Gaza Strip [with aid]. In my eyes this is immoral and unjust.”

“I stand one hundred percent behind my statement. Some people want to take my words out of context, but I was very clear about what I said,” Smotrich adds.

Speaking at a conference on Monday, Smotrich said, “We bring in aid because there is no choice.”

“We can’t, in the current global reality, manage a war. Nobody will let us cause two million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral until our hostages are returned,” he continued. “Humanitarianism in exchange for humanitarianism is morally justified — but what can we do? We live today in a certain reality, we need international legitimacy for this war.”

Meanwhile, a White House National Security Council spokesperson joined the State Department in calling out Smotrich.

“We unequivocally condemn these appalling comments, and call on the Israeli government to do the same,” the NSC spokesperson tells The Times of Israel.