Nir Barkat

Smotrich: The IDF isn't a place for women, Economy Minister Barkat 'doesn't understand anything'

In an interview, Smotrich also addressed his comments on crime rates in Arab communities, saying, "There is a culture of murder, killing, and jihad in Arab society."

Minister of Finance 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 and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.

'Chutzpan': Netanyahu removes Smotrich, Amsalem from cabinet meeting after shouting match

Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat unveiling his "Israel Basket" project, January 4, 2026.

Economy Minister Barkat sues Channel 12 for NIS 12m. in largest libel lawsuit ever filed in Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025.

Netanyahu secures overwhelming Likud support, internal poll shows


Nir Barkat apologizes for comments over freed hostage Eli Sharabi's testimony

Asked on Saturday whether he had watched Sharabi's testimony on Channel 12's Uvda, Barkat said "I had more important things to do."

 Economy Minister Nir Barkat speaks during a press conference at his office in Tel Aviv, March 12, 2024.

'This is not North Korea': Nir Barkat calls Netanyahu 'supreme leader'

Earlier in the program when asked whether he had watched the interview with freed hostage Eli Sharabi, Barkat said "I had more important things to do."

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Economy Minister Nir Barkat

Israel and Vietnam reignite relations with new free trade agreement

“The trade agreement with Vietnam represents a significant step forward for the Israeli economy, marking another milestone in Israel’s cooperation with leading global economies," Barkat said.

 Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat is seen shaking hands with his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyễn Hồng Diên.

Grapevine October 25, 2024: With a little help from our friends

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 THE OR LAMISHPACHOT choir sings at an ICEJ gathering last Sunday at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem.

El Al sets four fixed-price destinations to keep skies open amid airline cancelations

El Al will offer round-trip tickets to international travel hubs Larnaca for $199, Athens for $299, and Vienna and Dubai for $349 through the end of 2024.

 An El Al plane in Ben-Gurion Airport.

New reform that would allow Israel to import products marketed in EU passes

In February, the Knesset’s ministerial Cost of Living Committee approved a new reform that would allow Israel to import products marketed in the European Union.

 Prime Minister Netanyahu while Israel committee approves EU import reform

'It's your time to decide': Former minister calls for Nir Barkat to leave government

Barkat has come under increasing pressure to leave the government in recent weeks, and it has intensified after Gantz resigned.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat seen during a plenum session at the Knesset, in Jerusalem on May 29, 2024

Nir Barkat threatens Likud opposition on haredi draft bill, Netanyahu fires back

"To win the war, the IDF needs more soldiers. Without victory in battle, there is no country and no Torah," Barkat stated.

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Economy Minister Nir Barkat

Jerusalem Unity Prize to be awarded on 10th anniversary of murder of kidnapped yeshiva students

The prize categories were all war-related: Strengthening the South, Strengthening the North, and Strengthening the Home Front, Reservists, and Diaspora.

 "Together we will win," reads a skyscraper in Tel Aviv

‘Throw Qatar out of the equation’: Nir Barkat’s approach to post-war Gaza

Economy Minister Barkat claims Qatar has invested $1 trillion in an anti-Israel ‘soft war,' and believes that the first and most important strategic step is to knock Qatar out of the picture. 

 BARKAT BELIEVES there will be a post-war ‘economic rebound.’