Bezalel Smotrich

Netanyahu’s coalition topples Smotrich’s order to double tax import rate, opposition celebrates

The order was rejected by a wide margin, with 59 MKs against and 25 in favor.

Finance Minister and head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the 40-signatures debate at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on February 23, 2026.
A Palestinian man, holding Misbaha prayer beads, inspects the debris at a mosque, which Palestinians say was damaged by Israeli settlers, in West Bank village of Surra, near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 23, 2026.

Mosque set on fire near Nablus, Australian teen attacked

Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.

Business owners protest at Knesset as Smotrich raises Israel's import tax exemption

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu's political opposition must present clear policies - opinion


Netanyahu: Rafah crossing to stay closed until final hostage Ran Gvili’s remains returned - KAN

"This is our duty," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said earlier. "Hamas can and must return Gvili to Israel."

A truck carrying humanitarian aid on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Border Crossing, October 19, 2025; illustrative.

Israeli farmers protest Smotrich's proposed dairy reform, warn of 400 farm closures

Hundreds of farmers blocked roads nationwide, warning that proposed dairy reforms would shutter farms, undermine food security, and create dangerous reliance on imports.

Farmers and dairy farmers protest against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's proposed reforms, January 5, 2026.

Political attacks on Supreme Court chief cross red line, over 100 retired judges, law deans warn

The warnings followed remarks made by Religious Zionist Party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who referred to Amit as a 'violent, predatory megalomaniac who steals Israeli democracy.'

Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, November 27, 2025

Rep. Randy Fine’s incendiary comments on Muslims alarm many Jews, backed by pro-Israel right

The Florida Republican ignited a new round of controversy with a series of remarks about Palestinians and “mainstream Muslims” that his critics say are not just provocative but amount to “genocidal.”

REP. RANDY Fine, former gambling executive, won a special election in a deep-red district on Florida’s northeast coast.

Supreme Court President responds to threats, vows judiciary will not be intimidated

Supreme Court President Justice Isaac Amit's letter follows comments issued by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in which the minister referred to Amit as a “violent, predatory megalomaniac."

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, December 23, 2025

Smotrich: Supreme Court chief is 'violent megalomaniac,' gov’t will 'trample' court

The judicial branch's spokesperson said Smotrich's attack on Yitzhak Amit does not amount to "legitimate public discourse," in response to the finance minister.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionists Party head Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 29, 2025

Netanyahu's proposal to open both ways of Rafah crossing is rejected by coalition members - N12

Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions would let Palestinians who left Gaza enter again, but had to withdraw after pressure from coalition members.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025.

Smotrich threatens to double tax on Israeli banks if consumer benefits canceled

According to the Finance Ministry, the tax will bring in NIS 1.13 billion in 2026, rising to NIS 1.5 billion each year from 2027 to 2029.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025

Despite turbulent week, demand for commission of inquiry, bloc map remain stable - poll

Against the backdrop of the draft law, the establishment of a government commission of inquiry, and the interview by Eli Feldstein on the Qatargate affair, coalition parties maintain their strength.

Knesset members attend a plenum hearing, October 29, 2025; illustrative.

PMO workers involved in Qatargate 'must sit behind bars,' Smotrich says

Smotrich charged that Qatar is a state sponsor of terror, adding that Doha must be condemned for its "responsibility for what happened on October 7."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025