Finance Ministry

Business owners protest at Knesset as Smotrich raises Israel's import tax exemption

The government approved Smotrich's order on Sunday and is expected to be finalized through a vote in the Knesset plenum on Monday evening.

Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025

Smotrich doubles down on refusal to enlist daughter, claims IDF is 'no place for women'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (RZP) speaks at a Religious Zionist Party press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 16, 2026.

Finance Minister Smotrich says he won't educate his daughter to enlist in the IDF

Passengers at the Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv on September 18, 2025.

Israel to build new international airport in Negev, PMO announces


Smotrich is 'arrogant': Ben-Gvir lashes out at finance minister after budget clash

These comments follow the return of the Knesset for winter session and reports regarding budget cuts for certain ministries.

 Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich attend a plenum session on forming the government, in the Israeli parliament, on December 29, 2022.

North and South call for more effective compensation plans as Israel faces dual recovery challenges

While NIS 19 billion has been approved for rehabilitation, 5 billion of these remain frozen, waiting for the delineation of the area included in the rehabilitation.

 Smoke rise from a fire which broke out from missiles fired from Lebanon outside the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, October 22, 2024.

Finance Ministry drops growth prediction, citing expansion of fighting

The Finance Ministry laid out a number of factors that could impact the growth projection, causing it to rise or fall.

  Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a news conference after announcing that he will sign an order to seize Palestinian Authority funds and transfer them to the families of victims of Palestinian attacks, at Israel's Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, January 8, 2023.

Finance Ministry officials to 'Post': Moody's rating drop was premature, a step too far

The downgrade dropped Israel by two notches, from A2 to Baa1—the country's lowest score ever—and maintained a negative outlook for its rating.

Bezalel Smotrich is seen pointing down in an illustrative featuring credit agency Moody's.

Israel's government set to start debate on new state budget this month

Ultra-Orthodox parties Shas, UTJ threaten: Without legislation to exempt most eligible haredi men from military service, we will not support budget.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Plenum approves NIS 3 billion expansion of 2024 budget

Members of the opposition have argued that the addition in government spending was unnecessary since the government could procure the necessary funds in other ways.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Moody's downgrade due to Israel's clueless leadership, gov't mistrust - expert

Israel's long-term future could continue to deteriorate if the government does not "understand the gravity of the moment."

Bezalel Smotrich is seen pointing down in an illustrative featuring credit agency Moody's.

Moody's downgrades Israel's credit rating from A2 to Baa1, to lowest rating ever

Moody's ratings are intended to give investors a simple gradation system for deciding which securities will be most reliable.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confer in the Knesset, last week. Moody’s announcement on lowering Israel’s credit rating is viewed by both Netanyahu and Smotrich as politically motivated, the writer notes.

The true cost of a shorter school week: The cheap solution will cost us dearly - opinion

The proposed reduction of the school week threatens Israel's education system and economy without addressing the real challenges in education.

An empty classroom

Uncertainty on when US aid will reach Israel may lead to further 2024 budget adjustments

Because the ministry does not currently know how much American aid will arrive and when, they decided not to account for this in the current expansion of the 2024 budget.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, on June 10, 2024