Bezalel Smotrich

Multi-million Herod’s Pools renovation project begins amid gov’t push to promote West Bank tourism

Sukkot, echoing Smotrich’s words, calling the neglect of Herod’s Pools “an injustice,” noting that he is pleased with Smotrich’s and the Settlement Administration’s “swift response.”

Israelis hang out at the ancient archaeological site known as Herod's Pool on July 31, 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attending the Knesset, February 7, 2024; illustrative.

Netanyahu's Likud, Smotrich's RZP sign surplus-vote agreement ahead of elections

Moshe Feiglin attends a hearing at the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on petitions challenging the UNRWA laws passed by the Knesset, August 3, 2026

‘I want to see it empty’: Feiglin calls for annexation of Gaza during next gov’t's term - interview

A general view of a sign displaying fuel prices at a gas station in central Israel, after fuel prices increased at midnight, October 1, 2026.

Netanyahu, Smotrich intervene to cut gas prices again after Israel reaches record high


Finance Ministry aims to cut record high gas prices by 50 agorot, needs attorney-general's approval

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich intends to introduce the additional reduction, which, if approved and completed, is expected to bring the price of a liter of gasoline down to about NIS 7.77.

A worker fills benzene, at a gas station in Jerusalem before petrol prices rise at midnight on 31 January 2011.

Israeli ministers call for increased military action after flydubai incident

Ministers and opposition politicians also praised the Israeli passengers aboard the flybubai aircraft, saying that they saved many lives and potentially prevented a disaster on the scale of 9/11.

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.

Lapid: Nothing close to flydubai incident discussed during latest security briefing with Netanyahu

Lapid issued the statement following the incident aboard a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an apparent attempt by a pilot to seize control of the aircraft.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid speaks during a press conference as part of the Together party election campaign in Tel Aviv, central Israel, August 19, 2026.

Smotrich to again increase state fuel subsidies to counter rise in gas prices

A similar move by Smotrich earlier in September, approved by the prime minister's legal advisor, was seen as unwise by the Treasury's professional echelon, according to N12.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a ceremony marking the establishment of the new Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Arugot in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, September 2, 2026.

WATCH: Strock says Israel will establish settlements across West Bank Areas A, B as sanctions mount

In addition, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would make no distinction between Areas A, B, and C if appointed defense minister.

National Missions Minister Orit Strock seen at a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

Smotrich, Strock demand Netanyahu reject new BoP Gaza plan, say it contradicts US-Israel agreements

The ministers said the official proposal now advanced by the BoP is “completely contrary to the understandings that were reached between [Netanyahu] and the US administration and the BoP."

Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party head Bezalel Smotrich at the primary count, Jerusalem, July 26, 2026.

Businesses damaged through extortion to be assisted by NIS 35 million program backed by Smotrich

Smotrich's plan includes compensation worth tens of millions of shekels for victims of protection-money extortion, aiming to enable those the have suffered protection payments to refuse to pay.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a ceremony marking the establishment of the new Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Arugot in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, September 2, 2026.

US Democrats to introduce bill sanctioning individuals involved in Israel's E1 settlement project

The introduction of the bill is the latest sign of growing friction between Democrats in Congress and the Israeli government over its handling of the West Bank.

 US Senate floor

Netanyahu, Katz attack Liberman over call to establish Israeli-Jordanian confederation in West Bank

The proposal is not the first time Liberman has advocated a Jordanian administrative role in Palestinian areas of the West Bank.

Avigdor Liberman leads Yisrael Beytenu, it is polling at around 10 seats.

Macron's comments on Hamas's West Bank operations were mistranslated, French source tells 'Post'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich denounced Macron's comments earlier on Wednesday, with Netanyahu calling the statements “outrageous.”

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters on September 22, 2026 in New York City.