Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded Thursday evening to remarks by Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot regarding the IDF Chief of Staff’s demand for the immediate transfer of funds to the military.
“The finance minister is lying. It is possible and necessary to provide an immediate response to the IDF’s urgent needs, without abandoning responsibility for the public coffers and without reopening the budget for three readings. After the October 7 failure, we would have expected the government to learn at least one lesson: Israel’s security needs are not something to bargain over or drag out. But once again, political considerations are taking precedence over national responsibility," Eisenkot claimed.
Smotrich responded on his X account: “Hello Gadi. First, you can’t talk about reconciliation and healing and then speak like the worst of the online commenters and spread hatred and division.
“Second, just before you determine out of ignorance that I am lying, I invite you to a meeting at my office. I will explain to you how the Budget Law works, what fiscal frameworks are, and what the legal procedure is for exceeding the budget framework and increasing it. This information will serve you well as a combative opposition member after the elections," Smotrich added.
He concluded, “On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, I forgive you wholeheartedly and wish you and your family a happy New Year, and may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."