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


Liberman: Netanyahu shouted so loudly after Smotrich's camel remark they nearly called a doctor

Liberman said Netanyahu erupted at Smotrich over his camel remark, fearing it would harm efforts to reach a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

 MK Avigdor Liberman attends a State Control Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on September 13, 2023.

'He does not represent us': Israeli politicians slam Smotrich after Saudi insult

"To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel," Opposition head Yair Lapid wrote in Arabic on X/Twitter.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a committee meeting on September 14, 2025.

Smotrich tells Saudis to 'keep riding camels' over Palestinian state, later apologizes

“If Saudi Arabia says normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the sands of the desert in Saudi Arabia," Smotrich said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Makor Rishon conference in Jerusalem, October 23, 2025

Netanyahu urged Smotrich to hold off on West Bank annexation during Vance’s visit - KAN

"When the vice president, Vance, is visiting here, you don’t stick a finger in his eye,” Netanyahu's office reportedly said in a message to Smotrich.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich attend vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 13, 2024.

'On the way to sovereignty': MKs react to preliminary passing of bill to annex Ma'aleh Adumim

The Knesset passed a preliminary vote to apply Israeli sovereignty in Ma’aleh Adumim, prompting praise from right-wing MKs and criticism from Washington, which warned it could threaten the Gaza deal.

MK Avigdor Liberman attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem, October 22, 2025.

Gov't considers subsidizing flights between Israel and Argentina

Israel’s Finance Ministry plans to invite airlines to bid on launching a direct route to Argentina, exploring whether government support could make the long-haul flight economically viable.

 An El Al flight lands at Ben Gurion Airport, March 31, 2025

Coalition rises as Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold following hostage deal - poll

The coalition’s rise is surprising, as last week’s poll showed Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s parties falling sharply due to their opposition to the Trump Peace Plan.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem earlier this month. That Smotrich is not an economist, and is quite ignorant of current economic theory and practice, is no secret, says the writer.

Ben-Gvir to Netanyahu: Give Hamas an ultimatum if it continues to delay hostage return

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, "Only military pressure brings back hostages."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks during a ceremony at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, September 15, 2025.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire now in effect, Justice Ministry publishes list of terrorists to be released

Merz says Germany to give 29 million euros in Gaza humanitarian aid • US to establish coordination center on Gaza in Israel • IDF announces name of fallen soldier

  Celebrations at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv as negotiators set to sign deal freeing all hostages from Gazaץ October 09, 2025.

Likud Minister Miki Zohar: Hostage deal to pass despite Ben-Gvir, Smotrich - exclusive

Zohar expressed his full support for Donald Trump's hostage-ceasefire deal ahead of Israel's security cabinet vote.

Israeli Minister Miki Zohar speaks at The Jerusalem Post's Annual Conference in New York, US, May 19, 2025.