Smotrich Explains His Push for Finance Ministry Role
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, plans to seek the Finance and Defense ministries again if Netanyahu forms a government. Smotrich explained that controlling the national treasury, or "the spigot," allowed him to implement his agenda in education and other areas. He cited delaying IDF chief of staff pensions as an example of using financial control to achieve his goals.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bezalel Smotrich seeks Finance and Defense Ministry roles in a future Netanyahu government.
- Smotrich claims control of the treasury enabled a "revolution" in Judea and Samaria.
- He stated that controlling the "spigot" allows ministers to achieve goals across portfolios.
- Smotrich used pension approvals to pressure the Defense Ministry on authority transfers.
- He linked treasury control to advancing religious education and Jewish identity.
Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, intends to seek the Finance Ministry and a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry again if Prime Minister Netanyahu forms another government. Smotrich stated at a recent conference that he would be happy to continue in these roles. He explained his approach during the past term, emphasizing how control over the national treasury enabled him to advance his agenda across various sectors.
Smotrich described his work as "business and pleasure," dedicating 90% of his time to the Finance Ministry and 10% to the Defense Ministry, where he claimed a "revolution" was carried out in Judea and Samaria. He elaborated that controlling the "spigot" or treasury allows a minister to achieve goals in multiple areas, such as education and religious state education, without being hindered by other ministries.
He asserted that by controlling the treasury, his party could implement policies like appointing a head of religious state education and advancing Jewish identity. Smotrich stated that if the army obstructed his plans, he could "close the spigot" to them. As an example, he mentioned delaying the approval of IDF chief of staff pensions until the Defense Ministry transferred authorities to a deputy head of the Civil Administration appointed by Smotrich.
