Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded on Saturday to sharp criticism from the White House after National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby accused him of "endangering the hostages" with remarks justifying the mass starvation of Gazans.
"I respect the U.S. position and thank them for their support of Israel against regional threats, but I expect them to respect Israeli democracy," he said.
"Just as the U.S. would reject international pressure to reach a surrender agreement with Al Qaeda, Israel will not yield to external pressure that compromises its security. A surrender agreement with Sinwar, abandoning most hostages to death and releasing mass murderers, is bad for Israel, and we will oppose it with all our strength."
(Moran Azulay and Itamar Eichner)