Smotrich says US fighting Iran is ‘best for us’ and Israel will not join

Smotrich says US fighting Iran is ‘best for us’ and Israel will not join

Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has described the renewed US war on Iran as the ideal outcome for Israel, provided Israelis do not have to fight it themselves.

"Israel has no interest in joining the campaign - the current situation is the best for us," Smotrich said on Tuesday in comments carried by Kan news.

He delivered the remarks at the Katif Conference for National Responsibility, an annual gathering promoting the return of illegal Israeli settlements to Gaza.

Smotrich has repeatedly called for Israel to occupy the enclave, impose military rule and establish settlements there while calling for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. 

Israel and the US started the war with coordinated attacks on Iran on 28 February, after Israel lobbied Washington into the conflict, prompting Tehran to retaliate against US military assets across the region.

Read more: Smotrich says US fighting Iran is ‘best for us’ and Israel will not join

Bezalel Smotrich speaks during a a press conference near the settlement of Maale Adumim, in the occupied West Bank, on 14 August, 2025 (AFP/Menahem Kahana) ...