Netanyahu defends his finance minister after his threats against the Palestinian population of Huwara

MADRID, 5 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has defended his Finance Minister and ally in his far-right government coalition, Bezalel Smotrich, who this week proposed the "annihilation" of the West Bank population of Huwara after the death of two settlers by the Palestinian attack.

Smotrich, one of the most extremist elements of the coalition, has received criticism from multiple fronts, including the US government, a few days after a visit to this country to participate in a conference. More than a hundred leaders of the US Jewish community have opposed the appearance.

Netanyahu, in a message posted this Sunday on his Twitter account, recalled that Smotrich has already clarified his message and that "he had no intention of alluding to harm to innocent people or collective punishment."

"I know your opinions and they were reflected in your clarification," the prime minister said, before assuring that "no one is free from mistakes, including foreign diplomats."

As understood by 'The Times of Israel', this message is addressed to the US ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, who had allegedly asked that "Smotrich be thrown from the plane before stepping on American soil."

Nides has denied that he made this statement.

Lastly, Netanyahu regretted that the Palestinian Authority has not yet condemned the Palestinian attack, which ended up triggering a reprisal by Israeli settlers in the city, where multiple houses were destroyed and a Palestinian ended up dying.

"It is unfortunate that some in the international community have been quick to condemn Israel but have not yet demanded this necessary condemnation of the Palestinian Authority," the prime minister concluded.