Smotrich Warns Against Abolishing Defense Ministry Ministerial Role

Bezalel Smotrich warned on October 22 against abolishing the additional ministerial position in the Defense Ministry, responding to a proposal he attributed to Gadi Eisenkot. In a statement, Smotrich said the change would effectively close the Settlement Administration established under his leadership and return settlers to military administration. He described those consequences as a reversal of the administrative changes he had pursued. Smotrich linked the dispute to his election campaign, arguing that votes for small right-wing parties could help Eisenkot and his partners form a government. His statement followed Eisenkot’s election appearance in Modiin.