On Sunday the chairman of the Religious Zionism party, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, called on the government to respond to the Iranian attack against Israel, saying, “Citizens of Israel, we experienced a difficult night and our response following the attack will shape the Middle East and the security of the State of Israel. We thank the Lord Almighty for a night of miracles and for giving us the strength to be strong," Smotrich opened his speech.
He added saying, "A big thank you also goes to the IDF and the air defense system for the amazing work on behalf of Israel, for its peace and security. Thanks also to our friends around the world. Disputes can and must be dealt with, but at the moment of truth, when we are in the midst of a war of good versus evil, we know how to join hands."
“Now, the entire Middle East and the rest of the world are watching Israel. If our response resonates throughout the Middle East for generations to come – we will win. If we hesitate, God forbid, we will put ourselves and our children in immediate existential danger," Smotrich warned.
He concluded: "Our destiny is in our hands. This is the time for a leadership that is able to restore deterrence, and which has the courage to restore security to the citizens of Israel; not with slogans, but with actions."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also called for a strong response to Iran’s attack. "Israel's response must not be weak, like the flimsy bombings we have seen in previous years in Gaza. The concept of proportionality passed from the world on October 7th. In order to create deterrence in the Middle East – we must initiate a full-blown response.”
Earlier on Sunday, other government ministers called for a determined response against the Iranian regime. Education Minister Yoav Kish said: "Our success is in our defense. The actions taken by our Air Force, the air defense system, cooperation with the US, and other regional factors resulted in an impressive blocking of the Iranian attack, in a calm and resolute response. Now is the time to attack."
Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar added: "Israel has been given widespread international legitimacy to strike Iran with unprecedented force. The extremist regime there has taken its gloves off and we must not be lax against the head of the snake that is striving to destroy Israel."
Minister Orit Strock wrote, "With our immense gratitude to God who saved us from the enemy, and as we salute our security forces for stopping the attack, as well as our thanks to our US partners – Israel cannot enter a new status quo, where the country can be attacked but cannot attack in response. We cannot respond to such a murderous attack only with diplomacy. It is our right and also our duty to respond with all our might."
