Jewish groups: Israel's Smotrich 'not welcome' in US after bigoted comments
Liberal Jewish organizations condemned the statement made Wednesday by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich about "wiping out" the Palestinian village of Huwara.
A number of US Jewish groups have voiced their opposition to the upcoming visit this month by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, following his "repugnant" comments on Wednesday advocating for the Palestinian town of Huwara to be "wiped out."
Leading Jewish American lobby group J Street, Americans for Peace Now and the rabbinical group T'ruah have condemned Smotrich's statements and said he should not be welcomed in the United States.
Smotrich, a prominent member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, advocated publicly for demolishing the West Bank village of Huwara, home to nearly 7,000 Palestinians. Two Israeli brothers were killed last Sunday in Huwara and settlers rioted, storming the village to burn down 35 homes and damage dozens of houses and cars.
Speaking at an economic conference Wednesday, the minister said, "The village of Huwara needs to be wiped out. I think the State of Israel should do it.”
