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From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 25, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Smotrich warmly welcomes release of four surveillance soldiers, despite voting against hostage-ceasefire deal
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Finance Committee meeting, at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 13, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warmly welcomes the release from captivity of the four surveillance soldiers, saying the entire country is moved by their return. Smotrich voted against the hostage release agreement, but did not quit the government over it.
“Beloved Liri, Daniella, Karina and Naama, the entire people of Israel is moved by your return. We are hugging you and loving you,” says Smotrich, who heads the ultranationalist Religious Zionism party.
“We are all praying together and working together for the return of everyone,” he adds in reference to the remaining 90 hostages held in Gaza.
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