Bezalel Smotrich

As Israel pushes back, Gaza becomes testing ground for emerging post-war governance - analysis

The emergence of a Palestinian technocratic governing committee alongside Trump’s US-backed Board of Peace has triggered sharp Israeli backlash, exposing cabinet rifts and deep unease.

Palestinians stand near the rubble in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 17, 2026
 MK Gadi Eisenkot attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on the ultra-Orthodox draft law at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 24, 2024.

Gadi Eisenkot: Netanyahu ceded Gaza security, IDF must return to fighting

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after a press conference at the ministry, December 4, 2025; illustrative.

Government submits 2026 budget to Knesset, Smotrich vows passage despite rifts

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen after a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025.

Smotrich: Thank you Trump for the help, but now Israel needs to control Gaza


Knesset to pass increased benefits for orphans of IDF soldiers, Katz announces

First, the new law will give recognition to children of soldiers as "orphans" for certain rights as long as the parent died before the age of 30.

Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks during an IDF swearing-in ceremony for the new Military Advocate-General Itai Offir, November 27, 2025

'Chutzpan': Netanyahu removes Smotrich, Amsalem from cabinet meeting after shouting match

The clash intensified when Smotrich said, “Who are you anyway? Why are you interfering?" and Amsalem replied, “You’re not speaking politely, don’t call me chutzpan.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.

Two protesters held outside Religious Zionist Party offices amid budget, cost-of-living tension

According to the group, the protesters went to confront faction head Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over rising prices and what they describe as misplaced government spending.

ISRAELI POLITICIAN Bezalel Smotrich is seen before President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem.

IDF draft equality is minimum condition to restore Israeli solidarity - editorial

The Israel-Hamas War did not only take bodies; it took spirit. It took marriages, jobs, sleep, and the sense that someone competent is steering.

MK Boaz Bismuth seen with haredi MKs and Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer in the Knesset, Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

Coalition leaders call on Netanyahu to disobey High Court, block Ben-Gvir firing

“Unfortunately, we are witnessing clear attempts at a coup carried out through the law enforcement systems. This is, quite simply, a coup against democracy," Ben-Gvir said Monday.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrives at the Supreme Court, in Jerusalem, July 17, 2025

Knesset legal advisor demands Finance Ministry probe into unauthorized fund transfers

The demand was made following a High Court of Justice hearing on petitions challenging the government’s transfer of more than NIS 1 billion in earmarked funds to haredi schools.

Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, December 1, 2025.

Knesset rejects Yesh Atid bill to nationalize KKL, Lapid accuses rivals of 'corruption'

Lapid cited systemic corruption “of the worst kind” as the reason for leaving.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid leads a Yesh Atid meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, November 17, 2025.

Israel completes $6 billion public offering, returns to pre-war spread levels

The offering included three series of bonds with terms of five, 10, and 30 years, with spreads of 90, 100, and 125 basis points above comparable US Treasury yields.

New Israeli Shekel bills are seen in front of an upwards-trending graph (illustration)

Netanyahu: 'I feel a deep pain' after bus in Jerusalem runs over, kills haredi protestor

A 14-year-old haredi boy was killed in Jerusalem, prompting statements from Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, and ministers calling for a thorough police investigation.

 Security and rescue forces are seen at the scene where a teenager was killed and three others were injured after being hit by a bus near rally against the recruitment of Ultra orthodox Jews to the IDF, in Jerusalem, January 6, 2026.

New Jordan security fence could be done in early 2028

In November 2024, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he had won a years-long battle to get authority to build a new high-tech border fence with Jordan to block smuggling.

An Israeli soldier walks next to the border fence between Israel and Jordan, in southern Israel near Eilat February 9, 2016.

West Bank group lashes out at Smotrich over banks’ handling of foreign sanctions

HaShomer Yosh says a Bank of Israel directive provides lenders with legal cover to restrict services for Israelis targeted by overseas measures, and calls for government action.

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