Bezalel Smotrich
Israel unveils NIS 1.3 million budget for 34 new West Bank settlements in 'historic' move
The new plan will bring the total number of West Bank settlements established under the current government to 103.
IDF Disabled Veterans Organization against Finance Ministry
Speaker Amir Ohana reduces Knesset budget by NIS 50 mil. to support Israel's economy
Smotrich deserves 'at least 15 seats' for West Bank actions, former justice minister claims
Israel to approve West Bank settlement road budget worth over NIS 1 billion
The plan will include the construction of new roads and improvements to existing ones, the ministry stated, adding that any new settlements approved in the future will be included in the plan.
Likud weighs reserving slot for Smotrich as RZP risks falling below electoral threshold
Senior Likud figures are discussing whether bringing Bezalel Smotrich onto the party's slate could help preserve religious-Zionist support if his party struggles to clear the electoral threshold.
Israel 'will return to the whole of Gaza,' should 'erase' Oslo Accords, Smotrich says
“Gush Katif is small,” Smotrich told Pulse of Israel podcast host Avi Abelow. “We will return to the whole of Gaza in a big way.”
Interest rate drama: The news for mortgage takers – and Smotrich's unusual attack on the governor
The finance minister harshly attacked the "minimal" interest rate reduction, in his words, to 3.5%, and revealed that he pressured for an aggressive cut.
Bank of Israel lowers interest rate to 3.5% in response to strong shekel, halt in war with Iran
The Bank of Israel Monetary Committee, headed by Amir Yaron, announced that the national interest rate will be lowered once again to 3.5% as inflation declines and the shekel remains strong.
High Court proposes canceling Eliyahu’s Israel Land Authority appointment
Justices Yael Willner, Ofer Grosskopf, and Khaled Kabub gave the state, Eliyahu, and the petitioners 48 hours to respond to the proposal.
Lebanon deal focused on dismantling Hezbollah, not Israeli withdrawal, ambassador Leiter says
The ambassador also rejected a report that he had raised his voice at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a conversation about the Lebanon agreement.
IDF Disabled Veterans Organization warns of 'national disaster' amid exclusion in defense budget
The warnings came amid debate in 2026 defense spending discussions, in which the Finance Ministry rejected the Defense Ministry's petitions to increase spending by NIS 40 billion.
Released Gaza hostage Eli Sharabi blasts Netanyahu's October 7 joke as 'disgrace'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joked in a Channel 14 interview that one of the things that had changed for him since October 7 was that he had “lost a little weight.”
Gaza war could have ended a year earlier, achieved more Hamas disarmament, ex-hostage chief says
An overlong war led to huge unnecessary losses in fallen soldiers and the death of up to 40 hostages, former lead hostage negotiations coordinator Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon said.
