UN calls Smotrich’s comments on Huwara ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unacceptable’

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric calls Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks earlier this week about Huwara “irresponsible” and “unacceptable.”

“From our point of view, the statement that was made by Minister Smotrich is provocative, it’s inflammatory and statements like these are just unacceptable,” he says. “Coming from a government official, it’s irresponsible.”

The UN chief, Antonio Guterres, has reiterated his call for all sides to “refrain from incitement, inflammatory rhetoric and all acts of provocation,” Dujarric adds.

Smotrich said yesterday that while he was against citizens rampaging through the Palestinian town of Huwara earlier this week, he believes it should be done by security forces instead: “I think the village of Huwara needs to be wiped out. I think the State of Israel should do it,” Smotrich said.