Israel’s finance minister sparks backlash after saying Arab-backed government ‘worse’ than October 2023 events

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has drawn widespread criticism after saying that forming a government with support from Arab lawmakers would be “worse” than the Oct. 7, 2023 events, Anadolu reports. His remarks came as recent opinion polls suggested that Israel’s main opposition bloc may be unable to form a government without backing from Arab parties. Unless early polls are called, Israel’s next general elections are scheduled for October. Polls indicate that if elections were held now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc would win around 50 seats, the opposition about 60, and Arab parties about 10 seats. Forming a government requires the support of at least 61 members in the 120-seat Knesset. In an interview with the local 103 FM […]