Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid angered coalition members on Sunday by insulting Orit Strook, the country’s minister of settlements and national missions.
During an interview with Israeli comedian Dor Kahn, the Yesh Atid Party chairman said, “I look at Orit Strook. Just for that, I deserve a raise.”
Former national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit Party tweeted, “Amazing how the ‘enlightened camp’ supported for years an empty, ignorant and generally foolish person like Yair Lapid, who objectifies and harms women.”
Lapid defended himself on X: “I see that the poison machine is really getting worked up over the fact that I said I find it hard to look at Orit Strook. All their deceitful manipulations won’t help them. Everyone understands that I was talking about her behavior and not about how she looks.
“It’s a shame I didn’t see such outrage when Orit Strook said that we need to give up on the hostages and abandon them to their deaths. Waiting for Strook’s apology,” he added.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism Party, shot back on X: “Yair, you’re confused. The poison machine is your Twitter account. And deceitful manipulations are what come out of your mouth when you’re not busy with a misogynistic attack on Minister Strook—one of the best politicians Israel has known. Apologize.”