Bezalel Smotrich

Northern Israeli moshav head decries 'performative' cabinet meeting in Kiryat Shmona

Davidi said the ministers’ arrival in the north, more than two years after the war began, amounts to “a certificate of poverty” for the government.

Residents of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona check missile attack damages at the city's Central Bus Station and Mall, Kiryat Shmona, Northern Israel on November 27, 2024.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025

Outcome of state budget vote uncertain amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

2026 budget reading puts government at risk, after months of ideological sparring - analysis

Itzik Gvili, father of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, places his hands on the coffin containing his son's remains, January 26, 2026.

'Hero of Kibbutz Alumim': Israel reacts to news of final hostage Ran Gvili's return


A disappointment: Smotrich shows a lack of gratitude to Trump - opinion

Politicians like Smotrich come and go. However, President Trump is one of a kind, and his leadership must be celebrated, savored, and graciously rewarded.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a parliamentary faction meeting of his Religious Zionist Party in the Knesset on Monday. ‘His recent behavior displayed a face that makes me ashamed to be a religious Zionist,’ the writer charges.

'We need to clean the stables, reform law enforcement,' Smotrich demands after Sde Teiman case

The finance minister slammed Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, saying she "acted against our soldiers" and "collaborated in leaks with antisemitic blood libels."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 27, 2025

Israel's leaders reignite the fight over faith, service, and statehood as early elections emerge

Smotrich, Liberman, Gantz, Lapid, and Golan laid out competing visions for Israel’s future as fiscal and political strains fuel talk of elections early next year.

Yair Lapid speaks at a Knesset meeting during the first week of the Israeli Parliament's winter session, October 27, 2025

Ohana: Knesset budget to be cut by NIS 125m. following two years of intense war with Hamas

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announces a NIS 125 million budget cut for 2025, with the funds directed to the treasury to support Israel's economy amid ongoing challenges.

PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG addresses the Knesset plenum at the opening of the winter session on October 20, 2025.

Hostage forum demands meeting with Netanyahu after Hamas 'violations'

It is planned for Netanyahu to convene a meeting on Tuesday to discuss Israel's response to Hamas's violation of the ceasefire-hostage deal.

A woman reacts as families of Israeli hostages and supporters protest outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, marking the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, in Jerusalem, October 7, 2025

Smotrich claims Saudi Arabia denies Israeli tradition and heritage, doubling down on Riyadh row

During Monday's press conference, the finance minister hit out against Saudi Arabia once again, as well as Israelis who he said were "insulted" on the Saudis' behalf.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 27, 2025

Camel criticism crisis: Smotrich's comments harm Israel, not Saudi Arabia - opinion

The comments are heard in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Washington, and they shape how Israel is perceived by its current and potential partners in building a more stable and prosperous regional order.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich attends a Knesset Finance Committee meeting earlier this year. Ultimately, those who belittle Saudi Arabia are, in effect, belittling Israel’s own future in the region, the writer warns.

Liberman: Netanyahu shouted so loudly after Smotrich's camel remark they nearly called a doctor

Liberman said Netanyahu erupted at Smotrich over his camel remark, fearing it would harm efforts to reach a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

 MK Avigdor Liberman attends a State Control Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on September 13, 2023.

'He does not represent us': Israeli politicians slam Smotrich after Saudi insult

"To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel," Opposition head Yair Lapid wrote in Arabic on X/Twitter.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a committee meeting on September 14, 2025.

Smotrich tells Saudis to 'keep riding camels' over Palestinian state, later apologizes

“If Saudi Arabia says normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the sands of the desert in Saudi Arabia," Smotrich said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Makor Rishon conference in Jerusalem, October 23, 2025