Unusual exchange between Minister of Finance Smotrich and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. The Minister of Finance sharply criticized today (Monday) at the faction meeting Egypt’s opposition to the Israeli operation in Rafah. In Egypt they attacked in response, saying that his words were unacceptable to them.
“They bear considerable responsibility for what happened on 7/10, Hamas got armed through them,” Smotrich said of Egypt at the meeting of the religious Zionist faction. After a few hours, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement: “It is unfortunate and shameful that the Israeli Finance Minister continues to issue irresponsible statements that only reveal killing and destruction, and undermine any attempt to curb the crisis in the Gaza Strip.”
“Statements of this kind are completely unacceptable,” added the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. “Egypt has absolute control over its territory and will not allow any party to involve its name in any failed attempt to justify its shortcomings.”
Gazans flee from Rafah to the center of the Gaza Strip
The finance minister’s words come after the concern expressed in the White House and in Egypt about the consequences of the crisis in Gaza – which may be reflected in the mass migration of Palestinians from the Strip. According to an American report, Egypt threatens to suspend the peace agreement with Israel, if tens of thousands of refugees flee to its territory. At the same time, it was reported that Egypt has even installed technological measures on the border fence, including cameras and sensors, which will help prevent crowds of Gazans from crossing the fence.
Meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sjournat | Photo: Haim Tzach, PM
Israel’s planned military operation in Rafah drew criticism in France as well. French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sjournat came out against the move and claimed that it has no justification: “Any attack by the Israeli army on Rafah will be unjustified.” Last week, during his meeting with Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, Szjourna referred to the relationship between the two countries and the fight against anti-Semitism: “France strongly condemned the events of October 7. We organized, together with the President of the National Assembly, a member of my party, a large demonstration against The anti-Semitism that was successful.”
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