Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has drawn sharp criticism for recent statements, including remarks perceived as dismissive of Saudi Arabia, with Yair Lapid stating on October 23rd, 2025, "To our friends in Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel." Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned that Israel would lose US support if it applies sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, stating, "I gave my word to the Arab countries that this would not happen. Israel will lose all support from the US if this happens." Benny Gantz criticized Smotrich's statements as "ignorance, and a lack of internalization of his responsibility as a senior minister," asserting that "Israel deserves a government free of extremists." Yair Golan, in comments on October 23rd, 2025, argued that the current government "chooses Hamas and Qatar in Gaza" over normalization with Saudi Arabia, calling Smotrich's stance a "reward for Hamas" that "will help it maintain its rule in the Strip." These developments come as Vice President Vance's visit concluded, during which he condemned a Knesset vote to annex the West Bank. Previous reports from October 23rd, 2025, indicated Vance called the vote "unacceptable" and a "stupid political exercise" before departing Israel. In parallel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed earlier on October 23rd, 2025, that during an operation in Hebron over the past week, they confiscated approximately 165,700 shekels in terrorist funds and a copy of Adolf Hitler's manifesto "Mein Kampf" from the offices of the "Islamic Charity Association," identified by the IDF as an operational arm of Hamas involved in promoting incitement and channeling funds for terrorist activities. A senior Israeli official also expressed doubt on October 23rd, 2025, regarding the continuation of UNRWA operations in Gaza, despite a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling mandating Israel permit the agency's activities and not having proven a significant portion of its employees are Hamas members.
