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.
Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist party, speaks during a rally with supporters, Sderot, Israel, Oct. 26, 2022.
Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist party, speaks during a rally with supporters in Sderot, Israel, Oct. 26, 2022. - Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP via Getty Images
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Rina Bassist
@RinaBassist

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. 

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