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


Speaker Amir Ohana reduces Knesset budget by NIS 50 mil. to support Israel's economy

Knesset Speaker Ohana said he had informed Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of his budget-reduction initiative and that the funds are expected to be deposited in the treasury.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana speaks during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, May 20, 2026.

Smotrich deserves 'at least 15 seats' for West Bank actions, former justice minister claims

Ramon made the comments on the Gatekeeper podcast with journalist Nissim Sofer during a discussion about the political system and the electoral landscape.

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

Israel to approve West Bank settlement road budget worth over NIS 1 billion

The plan will include the construction of new roads and improvements to existing ones, the ministry stated, adding that any new settlements approved in the future will be included in the plan.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Likud weighs reserving slot for Smotrich as RZP risks falling below electoral threshold

Senior Likud figures are discussing whether bringing Bezalel Smotrich onto the party's slate could help preserve religious-Zionist support if his party struggles to clear the electoral threshold.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, May 19, 2026.

Israel 'will return to the whole of Gaza,' should 'erase' Oslo Accords, Smotrich says

“Gush Katif is small,” Smotrich told Pulse of Israel podcast host Avi Abelow. “We will return to the whole of Gaza in a big way.”

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

Interest rate drama: The news for mortgage takers – and Smotrich's unusual attack on the governor

The finance minister harshly attacked the "minimal" interest rate reduction, in his words, to 3.5%, and revealed that he pressured for an aggressive cut.

Prof. Amir Yaron, Governor of the Bank of Israel

Bank of Israel lowers interest rate to 3.5% in response to strong shekel, halt in war with Iran

The Bank of Israel Monetary Committee, headed by Amir Yaron, announced that the national interest rate will be lowered once again to 3.5% as inflation declines and the shekel remains strong.

  New Israeli Shekel banknotes and coins are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021.

High Court proposes canceling Eliyahu’s Israel Land Authority appointment

Justices Yael Willner, Ofer Grosskopf, and Khaled Kabub gave the state, Eliyahu, and the petitioners 48 hours to respond to the proposal.

 The High Court of Justice in Jerusalem

Lebanon deal focused on dismantling Hezbollah, not Israeli withdrawal, ambassador Leiter says

The ambassador also rejected a report that he had raised his voice at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a conversation about the Lebanon agreement.

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter speaks during a signing ceremony hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (out of frame) at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, on June 26, 2026.

IDF Disabled Veterans Organization warns of 'national disaster' amid exclusion in defense budget

The warnings came amid debate in 2026 defense spending discussions, in which the Finance Ministry rejected the Defense Ministry's petitions to increase spending by NIS 40 billion.

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, Israeli soldiers and Israeli veterans and disabled IDF soldiers seen during a march honoring IDF wounded and disabled IDF, in Tel Aviv, November 17, 2021.