Gargash condemns Israeli official's call for Gulf to fund war with Iran

Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, on Monday condemned Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for calling on Gulf states to fund Israel's war on Iran. 

Posting on social media X, Gargash said: "Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich's brazenness reached the point of calling for Gulf (and German, French, and British) funding for Israel's war on Iran.

"Such a proposal is nothing but the moral bankruptcy of an extremist who does not understand the consequences of escalation." 

Gargash also stressed the Gulf's repeated condemnation of the attack and calls for a diplomatic solution. 

Smotrich, alongside Israel's National Security Minster Itamar Ben-Gvir, were subject to rare sanctions by the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Norway earlier this month. The two hardline officials were accused of instigating settler expansion and violence in the occupied West Bank. 

The move by the five countries was welcomed by the Arab League, which includes the UAE, saying the move is a step towards accountability for "instigated violence" and "contributing to settler attacks on Palestinians".