I give Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich credit for one thing: his brutal honesty. No code or dog whistle, just speaking candidly about the “Greater Israel” project. I first saw this in the form of a meme (below) on LinkedIn that subsequently disappeared, as did the account of the person who posted it. (External or self-censorship? Your guess is as good as mine.)

If you want to know what the current regime is planning with the assistance of powerful and complicitous foreign benefactors that already have plenty of blood on their hands, including the US, the UK, and Germany, read this article and watch the video on which it’s based: Israel: Extremists in Power (ARTE tv Documentary – in French with English subtitles). Here’s the description: The current Israeli government is the most right-wing in the nation’s history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in coalition with far-right parties whose racist and violent discourses are poisoning Israeli politics. A focus on two extremist ministers: Minister of National Security Itamar ben-Gvir and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich.

Here’s an excerpt from the article to whet your appetite: Smotrich stated that “it is written that the future of Jerusalem is to expand to Damascus”, adding ominously “only Jerusalem, until Damascus”. The documentary then detailed the Israeli finance minister’s plan – and that of other extremist and right-wing Israelis – to have Israeli statehood extend into Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

Here’s the deal. Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, has invaded and is killing people in Lebanon, and has plans to attack Iran. I may be going out on a limb but I don’t think Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and their allies will cooperate nor do I think Israel has the military wherewithal to make this Zionist wet dream a reality. In a nutshell, this scenario will not end well, especially for Israel but also partners in (war) crime. It’s a surefire path to national suicide.

If the spirit moves you, feel free to drop Mr. Smotrich and Mr. ben-Gvir a line and tell them what you really think: bezalels@knesset.gov.il and ibengvir@knesset.gov.il. Just be careful about clicking on links on your smartphone or allowing “unauthorized” people to access it, I say half in jest.

Peace, MAA

In memory of the victims and in solidarity with the survivors.