Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich clarified Thursday his controversial remarks about humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, denying that he advocated for starving Palestinians.
Speaking at an Israel Hayom conference, Smotrich said humanitarian aid should be limited because it is a lifeline for the Hamas terror organization, which is holding 115 Israelis hostage.
He said, "We bring in aid because there is no choice. We can't, in the current global reality, manage a war. Nobody will let us cause two million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral, until our hostages are returned."
The remarks drew strong condemnations from several countries, including the United States and Britain. Smotrich, however, insists that his words were taken out of context and misunderstood.
"They didn't understand what I said," Smotrich said, adding that he would never suggest starving Gazans. "I'm used to the demonization they do to me all over the world. My statement emphasized the necessity of providing humanitarian aid, acknowledging that the international community would not permit the withholding of essential supplies from Gaza's population. However, I also proposed that, from a moral standpoint, we should implement a reciprocal humanitarian approach. This would entail conditioning our aid on the return of our hostages. While our captives endure harsh conditions in underground tunnels, we continue to pamper Gaza with resources. In my assessment, this imbalance raises significant ethical concerns and fails to serve the principles of justice.
"I fully stand by my statement," Smotrich affirmed. "If there are attempts to misconstrue my words, I believe I have provided a clear and unambiguous explanation of my intended meaning."
Hamas took over 240 Israelis hostage on Oct. 7, with some 115 that still remain in captivity. Of those, 41 have been declared dead, having either been killed by terrorists during the massacre or in captivity.
