Finance Minister and cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich, a fierce critic of IDF Chief of Staff Halevi over his war conduct, responded today (Tuesday) to his announced resignation from the army with praise.
In his statement, Smotrich said that:
"I wish to congratulate Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and thank him for his decades of dedicated and sacrificial service on the front of security work for the State of Israel and for his incredible military achievements in the Iron Swords War on all fronts.
"My criticism of his failure in the war to eliminate Hamas' civilian and governmental capabilities, as well as his responsibility for the failure of October 7th, do not at all diminish the great gratitude we owe to him for all his work and many years of contributions.
"The coming period will be one of changing the senior military leadership as part of the preparation for the renewal of the war and this time, God willing, to complete victory. I am assured and confident that the Defense Minister will orchestrate the work with responsibility, professionally, and with determination, and I will help him as much as is needed."
Smotrich had previously fiercely criticized the outgoing Chief of Staff for his stubborn and unflinching refusal to have the IDF take over the handling and delivery of humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians, leading to it being stolen and resold by Hamas, keeping the terrorist organization afloat.
Multiple critics from within the government and even among the opposition have criticized Israel's decision - under heavy American and international pressure, to allow a constant and large flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza during the war.
They argued that this aid went far beyond the Gazan population's basic needs and that much of the aid was stolen by Hamas and resold, rather than provided free of charge, allowing the terrorist organization to continue to pay its fighters and personnel, undermining the key war aim of "collapsing" Hamas' capability to govern or fight the IDF.
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