Bezalel Smotrich has responded to the White House’s criticism of his opposition to a ceasefire deal.

In a post on X, the far-right minister wrote: “I respect the US position and thank them for their support of Israel against regional threats, but I expect them to respect Israeli democracy.

“Just as the US would reject international pressure to reach a surrender agreement with al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, Israel will not yield to external pressure that compromises its security. A surrender agreement with Sinwar that abandons most hostages to death, releases mass murderers, allows the return of terrorists to the north of the Gaza Strip, abandons the border and allows Hamas to smuggle weapons and restore its strength in order to return and attack Israel, is bad for Israel and endangers its security. And we will oppose it with all our strength. No amount of criticism or attacks will distract me from this goal.”

The statement came after the White House issued a rare rebuke of Smotrich on Friday for levelling “ridiculous charges” against a US-led ceasefire proposal and calling his arguments against the deal “dead wrong”.