Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the protests taking place across the country calling for the return of hostages and stopping the war, stating: "The people of Israel wake up this morning to a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas' hands, buries the hostages in tunnels and tries to bring Israel to surrender to its enemies. Despite a campaign worth millions and an insane build-up by irresponsible media and a series of interested political figures, the campaign is not taking off and involves very few people. The State of Israel is not standing still and not striking." Smotrich also accused the protest organizers of "emotional brainwashing."