Hadash Blasts Netanyahu Naming of Smotrich & Co. to Government

Knesset members from Hadash vehemently attacked the appointment of the racist settler, MK Bezalel Smotrich, as interim Transportation Minister and member of the political-security cabinet in the interim Netanyahu government.

Following the announcement of the appointment of the chair of the United Right bloc, along with that of MK Rabbi Rafi Peretz, the chairperson of HaBayit Hayehudi (The Jewish Home)  as Education Minister, Hadash voiced its fierce objection to both appointments.

The newly appointed Smotrich said on Monday, June 17, that he “works for God” — and not for far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appointed him — and drew outrage and ridicule for calling for Israel to be governed by Jewish religious law, like in biblical times.

MK Bezalel Smotrich, appointed by PM Benjamin Netanyahu this week to be Transportation Minister in the interim government, in an election poster for the United Right bloc. The slogan reads: "Committed to More."

MK Bezalel Smotrich, appointed by PM Benjamin Netanyahu this week to be Transportation Minister in the interim government, in an election poster for the United Right bloc. The slogan reads: “Committed to More.”

Smotrich expressed his delight with “the refreshing winds blowing in the corridors of the US administration regarding the application of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, which are encouraging and demand the staff of all government ministries to collaborate in preparing for the practical implications of sovereignty.” The settler minister vowed to “try to start this process in the coming months,” and “We will voice clear support for returning to the discourse of victory and destruction of the enemy forces.”

Hadash Chairman MK Ayman Odeh tweeted: “Greetings to the new Transport Minister Smotrich. Here’s hoping he won’t be disappointed when he finds out it’s impossible to pave a road back to the Middle Ages.”

MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash) also condemned Smotrich’s appointment, tweeting: “Netanyahu has now given the keys to the people who want to turn Israel into a halachic state [one based on Jewish Law], but did not stop there, and also made sure to bring a war monger into the cabinet of the State of Israel. Any deal at the expense of Israeli citizens is acceptable to Netanyahu to evade justice and prison.”