Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pushed back against pressure by the US to release Palestinian tax funds withheld by Israel, saying on social media "not a single shekel" will be transferred while he remains in charge.
His statement came after a "difficult and frustrating" conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden over the release of the funds.
“We have a lot of respect for the US, our best ally in the world, and for President Biden, who is a true friend of Israel,” Smotrich said in a post on X.
“But we will never put our destiny in the hands of foreigners, and as long as I am Finance Minister, not a single shekel will go to the Nazi terrorists in Gaza. This is not an extreme position. This is a life-saving and reality-based position.”
MEE
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