Smotrich praises Settlements Minister Strock after Lapid speaks out against her

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls Settlements Minister Orit Strock to the podium during their Religious Zionism party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset, praising her as an effective politician and expressing his pride in her accomplishments in the wake of comments made against her by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.

Smotrich slams liberal groups and women’s organizations for not coming out against Lapid for his comments.

Lapid sparked controversy Sunday after saying on a podcast he “deserve[s] a raise” for having to look at Strock. “I look at Orit Strock — and just for that I deserve a raise — and God’s with her,” he said, referring to the Orthodox politician’s religious zeal. “She says, ‘You might have all sorts of opinions, but God’s with me.'”

Asked about his comment, Lapid tells reporters at his Yesh Atid party’s weekly faction meeting that he was not referring to Strock’s appearance but rather her opinion that the hostages “can be left to die in Gaza.”

“I can’t look at her, and if you want gender equality, then Itamar Ben Gvir too. I feel exactly the same way. That’s why I walk out of the plenum every time he speaks. I can’t look at anyone who is against the return of the hostages,” he says.

Last week, Strock stated that in her opinion, victory over Hamas is more important than the return of all the hostages.