Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the United States' attempt to impose sanctions against him due to the expansion of settlement activities in the West Bank as a "fatal blow to Israeli sovereignty." In statements reported by Channel 7, Smotrich said, "On a personal level, I am no different from any other settler who has faced strict and undemocratic American sanctions, but this is an unfortunate decision stemming from the internal political needs of those who claim to lead the largest democracy in the world" (referring to the United States).
He added, "On a national level, imposing sanctions on an elected official and a senior government minister because of his governmental and democratic activities on behalf of his constituents constitutes a fatal blow to Israeli sovereignty and relations between the two countries, and it will have grave consequences in many areas," without providing further details.
He emphasized that "it is his duty to strengthen Tel Aviv's grip on parts of the homeland in the West Bank and to prevent the establishment of a state that could endanger Israel's existence." He continued, "I am ready to pay any price for that," in defiance of any American decision regarding imposing sanctions on him.
