Smotrich deserves 'at least 15 seats' for West Bank actions, former justice minister claims

Former Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon has offered strong praise for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, particularly for his actions in the West Bank. Ramon, a former senior Labor Party figure, stated on the Gatekeeper podcast that Smotrich has advanced the most far-reaching annexation measures in the West Bank since 1967.

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We are coming off four years in which this government carried out the most far reaching annexation measures since we have been in Judea and Samaria.

Ramon went further, asserting that if he shared Smotrich's political outlook, he would consider the finance minister worthy of "at least 15 seats" in parliament. He highlighted Smotrich's ability to implement significant changes in the West Bank, noting that the minister acted decisively without regard for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. "He did amazing things that no one else did," Ramon said.

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If my views were like Smotrich’s, I would say he deserves at least 15 seats.

The former minister also pointed to Smotrich's recent proposals for establishing three new communities in the northern Gaza Strip, should a political decision be made. Ramon expressed surprise that the mere presentation of these plans had generated minimal public discussion or opposition. He suggested that the fact these possibilities are being discussed practically indicates a significant shift in public and political discourse.

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He did amazing things that no one else did.

During the interview, Ramon also commented on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's stance against illegal outposts and farms. Ramon characterized Bennett's opposition as stemming from his objection to illegal acts, calling it "admirable." When journalist Nissim Sofer noted Bennett's past pledges to regulate settlements, Ramon suggested Bennett had undergone a change.

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He recently also had plans to establish communities in the Gaza Strip. And no one addressed the question of whether we support it or oppose it.