Smotrich reverses position, says millions will be funneled toward aid in Gaza

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich admits that he is advancing a move to direct millions of shekels from Israel’s coffers toward providing humanitarian aid to Gaza — despite his past adamant opposition.

Speaking to the Kan public broadcaster, Smotrich claims such funding is “not money for humanitarian aid, it’s money to win the war. Had we controlled the humanitarian aid to Gaza we would have won the war a while ago.”

The finance minister suggests that it would be preferable to pull the troops from an IDF division from fighting “and put that money toward supporting the American companies who are managing the humanitarian aid. This is money that’s inseparable from the war effect.”

Smotrich previously threatened to quit the coalition over an Israeli decision to lift a blockade on aid entering the Strip.

Earlier this year, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accused the government of secretly funding humanitarian aid for Gaza through two foreign shell companies in order to avoid backlash from the prime ministers’ coalition allies.