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


Netanyahu urged Smotrich to hold off on West Bank annexation during Vance’s visit - KAN

"When the vice president, Vance, is visiting here, you don’t stick a finger in his eye,” Netanyahu's office reportedly said in a message to Smotrich.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich attend vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 13, 2024.

'On the way to sovereignty': MKs react to preliminary passing of bill to annex Ma'aleh Adumim

The Knesset passed a preliminary vote to apply Israeli sovereignty in Ma’aleh Adumim, prompting praise from right-wing MKs and criticism from Washington, which warned it could threaten the Gaza deal.

MK Avigdor Liberman attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem, October 22, 2025.

Gov't considers subsidizing flights between Israel and Argentina

Israel’s Finance Ministry plans to invite airlines to bid on launching a direct route to Argentina, exploring whether government support could make the long-haul flight economically viable.

 An El Al flight lands at Ben Gurion Airport, March 31, 2025

Coalition rises as Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold following hostage deal - poll

The coalition’s rise is surprising, as last week’s poll showed Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s parties falling sharply due to their opposition to the Trump Peace Plan.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem earlier this month. That Smotrich is not an economist, and is quite ignorant of current economic theory and practice, is no secret, says the writer.

Ben-Gvir to Netanyahu: Give Hamas an ultimatum if it continues to delay hostage return

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, "Only military pressure brings back hostages."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks during a ceremony at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, September 15, 2025.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire now in effect, Justice Ministry publishes list of terrorists to be released

Merz says Germany to give 29 million euros in Gaza humanitarian aid • US to establish coordination center on Gaza in Israel • IDF announces name of fallen soldier

  Celebrations at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv as negotiators set to sign deal freeing all hostages from Gazaץ October 09, 2025.

Likud Minister Miki Zohar: Hostage deal to pass despite Ben-Gvir, Smotrich - exclusive

Zohar expressed his full support for Donald Trump's hostage-ceasefire deal ahead of Israel's security cabinet vote.

Israeli Minister Miki Zohar speaks at The Jerusalem Post's Annual Conference in New York, US, May 19, 2025.

Ceasefire takes effect after Israeli gov't votes to approve Gaza deal

Ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, and Strock voted against the deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes a government meeting on the Gaza deal, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in attendance, in Jerusalem, October 9, 2025

Opposition heads unite to discuss toppling Netanyahu gov’t, backing Trump peace plan

Multiple party heads offered to provide a political safety net to ensure the peace deal passes.

Blue and White leader and MK Benny Gantz arrives for a meeting of opposition party leaders at a hotel in Tel Aviv, October 8, 2025

Yair Lapid offers safety net for PM Benjamin Netanyahu to implement Trump's Gaza deal

Lapid's offer of a safety net thereby allows for the deal to still be implemented regardless of opposition from right-wing ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid delivers a press conference speech at Yesh Atid Party meeting, Sunday, October 5, 2025