Smotrich: US-Iran War Ideal for Israel if It Stays Out

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared that a prolonged war between the United States and Iran represents the most favorable scenario for Israel, as long as Israeli soldiers are not directly involved. "Israel has no interest in joining this military campaign, the current situation is the best for us," the far-right minister stated on Tuesday.

Smotrich made these comments at the Katif National Responsibility Conference, an annual gathering that advocates for the illegal resettlement of Israelis in the Gaza Strip. He has consistently pushed for Israel to occupy Gaza, implement military governance, and establish illegal settlements, while also calling for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

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Israel has no interest in joining this military campaign, the current situation is the best for us.

Israel and the U.S. initiated their coordinated strikes against Iran on February 28, following Israeli lobbying for U.S. involvement. Tehran retaliated by targeting U.S. military assets across the region. The conflict escalated again earlier this month with U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, met by Iranian attacks on U.S. assets. Israel has not directly engaged in these recent exchanges.

Despite the lack of direct Israeli involvement, Smotrich stressed that Israel desires the war to achieve its strategic aims. "We must remember that Israel's main goal, and not necessarily the United States' main goal, is to damage and weaken the regime in Iran, to the point of overthrowing it," he said.

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We must remember that Israel's main goal, and not necessarily the United States' main goal, is to damage and weaken the regime in Iran, to the point of overthrowing it.