Bezalel Smotrich is a far-right Israeli lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, who currently serves as the country's finance minister as well as a minister in the Defense Ministry. In the past, Smotrich also served as transportation minister.
Smotrich is a highly divisive figure in Israeli politics, having been accused of racism, extremism, and homophobia. Smotrich has also gone on record saying that he is a "proud homophobe," staunch support for Israel's West Bank settlements, and rejects both the future existence of a Palestinian state as well as the existence of the Palestinian people.
If Hezbollah would continue firing after such an ultimatum, Smotrich said the IDF should launch a defensive attack deep in Lebanese territory, including a ground entry.
The Netanyahu-Gallant feud is essentially a power struggle over policy surrounding this fundamental question: Who will rule Gaza after the war?
"Raising the import tariff on Turkey is a suitable Zionist answer to Erdogan," Smotrich said. "For too many years, the State of Israel struggled with Erdogan's antisemitism. Not on my shift!"
Smotrich blocked the purchase of more jet fighters from Lockheed-Martin and Boeing, citing concerns this was not the wisest way to improve defense capabilities.
The acquisition of the squadrons is critical to maintaining the superiority of the IDF in the region and against the arms race of both Iran and Hezbollah in the north.
If you neutralize the effect of delayed taxes due to Passover, the budget still eclipsed its ceiling and reached 6.7%.
"It is inconceivable that the concern for the PA and terror funds that it pays to families of terrorists will be more important than the citizens of Israel," Smotrich wrote.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the Hamas hostage deal was a ploy to stop the invasion of Rafah, and he would leave the government if the invasion gets canceled.
Sunday's march followed a similar protest led by the Valor Forum Saturday night, following Saturday's reports that Hamas will likely accept a hostage deal in the coming days.
Finance Minister Smotrich urges Prime Minister Netanyahu to remove Turkey from ceasefire talks, citing Erdogan's antisemitism and threats to Israel's security.
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