Bezalel Smotrich

Hamas sees demilitarization talks as strategy to 'trap Israel,' Zini warns security cabinet

Speaking during a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Zini said Hamas believes it should have pursued the demilitarization agreement with the Board of Peace in order to "trap Israel."

Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director David Zini visits at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror, on April 21, 2026.
Standing Together Activists protest inside of the Religious Zionist Paty's headquarters on August 5, 2026.

'Arabs want to live': Left-wing protesters attempt to breach Religious Zionist party headquarters

People visit Herodion National Park at the site in the West Bank, on January 9, 2023.

‘Zionist act of highest order’: Smotrich allocates NIS 113m. to develop West Bank heritage sites

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

Smotrich demands revote on Gaza reconstruction plan that he backed


Netanyahu's Likud falls to lowest position since June 2025 as Eisenkot reaches new heights - poll

A new Maariv poll shows Likud at its weakest level since June 2025, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar reaches a record 23 seats and Bennett maintains his lead over Netanyahu in the prime ministerial race.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Knesset vote, July 16, 2026.

Religious Zionist Party unveils Knesset primary candidates as Bezalel Smotrich leads slate

Candidates running who are currently members of the Knesset include National Missions Minister Orit Strock, along with MKs Michal Woldiger, Ohad Tal, Zvi Sukkot, and Simcha Rothman.

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 6, 2026.

Smotrich announces expansion of West Bank's Highway 465, pushes for new level of 'safety, security'

"The doubling of this important road will create a completely different level of safety, security, and quality of life," said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announcing the project.

Highway 465's expansion was approved.

Tax Authority will immediately stop war damage claims until Bnei Brak mayor condemns mob attacks

According to the letter, Tax Authority employees were violently assaulted by a mob numbering in the hundreds on the afternoon of July 16 while carrying out enforcement activities in the city.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order on Road 4 near Bnei Brak, July 16, 2026.

Israeli gov't gives Jordan Valley farmers drones, rangers to deter 'Palestinian terror state'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Missions Minister Orit Strock both attended the ceremony at which the equipment was presented to support farms and outposts in the West Bank.

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Ganz, Head of Binyamin Regional Council and Orit Strock, National Mission Minister at a faction meeting in the Jewish settlement of Givat Harel, in the West Bank, February 14, 2023.

'Desecrating religious Zionism': Bennett slams Smotrich as true architect of draft evasion law

"I want to address the soldiers and tell them: Hold on tight, there are still 104 days of plunder and evasion, the reinforcements are on the way, and this terrible government is going," he said.

Naftali Bennett

Aliyah Minister Ofir Sofer pulls out of 2026 election

In his resignation statement, Sofer thanked his supporters and stated that he will continue to serve in his position until the end of his term.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony commemorating fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, April 21, 2026.

High Court cancels Land Authority head's appointment due to connection to Smotrich

The ruling came after all parties, including the government and Eliyahu, accepted a framework proposed by Justices Yael Willner, Ofer Grosskopf, and Khaled Kabub during a hearing earlier this month.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026.

Israel unveils NIS 1.3 million budget for 34 new West Bank settlements in 'historic' move

The new plan will bring the total number of West Bank settlements established under the current government to 103.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Missions Minister Orit Strock hold a map of the West Bank as they celebrate the Knesset Security Cabinet approval of their NIS1.3M budget to build 34 new settlements throughout the territory.

IDF Disabled Veterans Organization against Finance Ministry

Organization chairman in sharp call to finance minister: "Stand behind your signature." Finance Ministry officials: "Structural failures harm rehabilitation of combat soldiers."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich