Bezalel Smotrich
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Bezalel Smotrich, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
US Pushes Israel for Gaza Ceasefire Amid Ministerial Opposition to Halt Strikes
The US is urging Israel to start a two-week ceasefire in Gaza to disarm Hamas, but Israeli ministers oppose halting military strikes. Israel has yet to sign an agreement for a mul…
Netanyahu Demands Additional NIS 50 Billion for Security Budget Expansion Amid Treasury Tensions
Prime Minister Netanyahu has demanded an additional NIS 50 billion to Israel's planned decade-long security budget increase, raising tensions with the Finance Ministry. The Defens…
Smotrich Claims Ignorance of Gaza Agreement's Full Implications During Security Cabinet Debate
In a Security Cabinet meeting, Bezalel Smotrich claimed he was unaware of the full implications of the agreement to deploy an international force in Gaza, despite voting for it. T…
Shin Bet Chief Warns Israeli Cabinet Hamas Sees Gaza Peace Plan as Political Victory
Shin Bet chief David Zini warned Israel’s security cabinet that Hamas views the Gaza peace plan as a political win and is using disarmament talks to delay Israeli attacks. Most mi…
Netanyahu Criticizes Ben Gvir Over Gaza Strikes Amid Cabinet Tensions
In a tense Security Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu and Ben Gvir clashed over Gaza strike policies amid peace roadmap discussions and recent soldier deaths in Lebanon. Political fricti…
Gadi Eizenkot Maintains Lead in Israeli Political Poll as Smotrich Declines
A recent Maariv poll shows Gadi Eizenkot's party leading with 23 seats, followed by Netanyahu's Likud with 22. Otzma Yehudit gains a seat while Smotrich's party declines. The coal…
Yesh Atid Leader Meridor Signals Talks with Likud Defectors Ahead of Elections
Saul Meridor of Yesh Atid revealed talks with Likud members about defecting to the opposition bloc after elections, aiming to form a government with Gadi Eisenkot as prime ministe…
Father of Terror Victim Confronts Israeli Transport Minister Over October 7 Attacks
Nissim Luk, father of a terror victim killed on October 7, publicly confronted Transport Minister Miri Regev in Jerusalem, accusing her and Likud of responsibility for the attacks…
Shaul Meridor Signals Talks With Likud Members to Form Zionist Government With Over 61 Seats
Gadi Eizenkot Leads with 23 Seats, Likud Close Behind in Latest Maariv Poll
A Maariv poll shows Gadi Eizenkot's party leading with 23 seats, Likud close behind with 22, and no major shifts in bloc balances. Most Israelis oppose including Ra'am in the coal…
Otzma Yehudit Shelves Harsh Campaign Against Smotrich Amid Unity Talks
Otzma Yehudit prepared but shelved a harsh campaign against Bezalel Smotrich amid Netanyahu's attempts to unite their parties before elections. The campaign highlighted tensions b…
Finance Minister Blocks Light Rail Funding in Negev Despite PM Netanyahu’s Approval
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is blocking funding for a government-approved light rail project connecting Beersheba to a new military base in the Negev, despite Prime Minister…
Yaya Pink Reveals Joint West Bank Road Project With Merav Michaeli, Sparking Right-Wing Backlash
Yaya Pink revealed a joint project with former Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli analyzing West Bank roads for their impact on future political solutions, sparking right-wing…
Israel Faces Surge in High-Earning Emigration Impacting Tax Revenues
Israel's Tax Authority reports a sharp rise in emigration of high-income professionals, including tech workers and doctors, leading to a 150% increase in lost tax revenue since be…
Israeli Cabinet Rejects Gaza Agreement, Maintains Firm Security Stance
The Israeli Security Cabinet rejected a 15-point international roadmap for Gaza, maintaining a strict security stance and opposing the entry of an international force. The plan, a…
Minister Struck Claims She and Smotrich First to Expose Ra'am's Ties to Islamic Movement
Minister Orit Struck and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claim they were the first to expose Ra'am's ties to the Islamic Movement and oppose forming a government with them. Stru…
Elisha Ben Kimon Appointed Military Correspondent at Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet
Elisha Ben Kimon has been officially named the military correspondent for Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet after serving as acting correspondent. Known for his expertise on the West Bank…
Supreme Court Petitions Challenge Tax Benefit Revocation for Ultra-Orthodox Institutions
Two petitions filed with Israel's Supreme Court challenge the Attorney General's directive to revoke tax benefits from ultra-Orthodox Torah institutions whose students do not serv…
Political Scientist Predicts Right-Wing Party Consolidation Ahead of Israeli Elections
Professor Asher Cohen predicts that Israel's fragmented right-wing parties will consolidate before the elections due to a high electoral threshold and voter concerns about wasted…
Yossi Dagan Receives International Award for Leading Settlement Renewal in Northern West Bank
Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, received the "Brave Leadership of Zion Award" for leading the renewal of Jewish settlements in northern Samaria. At a Jerusalem…
Coalition Forms to Rescue Israel's Secular Public Education Amid Declining Performance and Budget Gaps
A new coalition of secular education leaders in Israel has formed to address the declining performance and chronic underfunding of the secular public education system. They demand…
New Right-Wing Parties Vie for Disillusioned Voters Ahead of Israeli Elections
Several new right-wing parties, including those led by Yoaz Hendel and Hili Tropper, Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein, and potentially Ofer Winter, are competing to attract disillus…
Supreme Court Judge Halts Controversial Budget Transfers During Israeli Election Campaign
Supreme Court Justice Alex Stein temporarily froze hundreds of millions of shekels in budget transfers approved during Israel's election campaign, citing procedural flaws. The fun…
Yoaz Hendel Pledges Broad Zionist Government Without Ultra-Orthodox or Arab Parties
Yoaz Hendel launched the "Beit Tzioni" party, advocating for a broad Zionist government excluding ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties, criticizing Netanyahu and current ministers, and…
Majority of Coalition Voters Support Itamar Ben-Gvir Continuing as National Security Minister
A Channel 14 poll shows 72.5% of coalition voters want Itamar Ben-Gvir to continue as National Security Minister, with other ministers also receiving majority support.
Israeli Reservists Demand Yoaz Hendel as National Security Minister in Next Government
Yoaz Hendel and Hili Trooper of the Zionist Home-Reservists party launched their campaign for Israel's 26th Knesset elections, demanding Hendel be appointed National Security Mini…
UK Government Investigates Haredi Donors Funding West Bank Yeshivas
The UK government is investigating British donors who funded Haredi yeshivas in Israeli settlements beyond the Green Line, risking a major financial blow to these institutions. Is…
Discount and Hapoalim Banks Cut Ties with Palestinian Authority, Threatening Israeli Businesses
Israeli banks Discount and Hapoalim plan to end banking services with the Palestinian Authority by late 2026, risking financial chaos in Palestinian territories and impacting Isra…
Left-Wing Activists Storm Religious Zionism Party Headquarters in Shoham, Prompting Police Investigation
Far-left activists from "Standing Together" stormed the Religious Zionism party headquarters in Shoham, blocking exits and staging a protest with red paint symbolism. Police initi…
IDF Loses Control as Extremist Settlers Dominate West Bank Areas
An unauthorized Israeli civilian visit to the Palestinian village of Tal escalated into deadly violence, exposing the IDF's inability to enforce law in the West Bank. Extremist se…
First Caravans Set Up in Kadim Settlement 21 Years After Disengagement Evacuation
After 21 years since its evacuation under the 2005 Disengagement Plan, the first caravans were placed in the Kadim settlement in northern Samaria, marking the start of its reestab…
First Caravans Arrive to Rebuild Kadim Settlement 21 Years After Disengagement Evacuation
The first caravans arrived today at Kadim in northern Samaria, 21 years after its evacuation during Israel's disengagement. This marks the start of rebuilding the settlement as pa…
MK Bitan’s Claim on OECD Food VAT Rates Is Inaccurate, Experts Say
MK David Bitan proposed reducing Israel’s VAT on basic food to 8%, claiming OECD countries have similar rates. However, only half of OECD countries have VAT rates that low on food…
Right-Wing Bloc Secures Majority as Shas Strengthens to 11 Seats in New Poll
A recent poll shows the right-wing bloc in Israel holding a majority with 62 seats, as Shas strengthens to 11 seats. Likud leads with 31 seats, Yesh Atid follows with 22, and the…
New Poll Shows Otzma Yehudit Surging to 9 Seats as Likud Weakens
A new Israeli poll shows Otzma Yehudit surging to 9 seats, Likud dropping to 21, and Gadi Eizenkot's Yashar party leading with 22 mandates. The coalition holds 51 seats versus 61…
Yoaz Hendel and Avigdor Lieberman Condemn Ultra-Orthodox Protests Against IDF Draft Programs
Yoaz Hendel and Avigdor Lieberman condemned ultra-Orthodox protests against new IDF draft programs, calling for stricter enforcement of military service and criticizing government…
Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Hurl Insults at Reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter in Jerusalem
Ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem verbally attacked Reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter during a recruitment event, condemning his support for ultra-Orthodox military enlis…
Right-Wing Bloc Strengthens as Smotrich and Ben Gvir Tie; Bennett's Party Collapses
A Channel 14 poll shows the right-wing bloc growing to 62 seats with Smotrich and Ben Gvir tied at six seats each, while Naftali Bennett's party falls to eight seats. Likud leads…
Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter Predicts Gadi Eizenkot as Next Israeli Prime Minister
Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter predicts Gadi Eizenkot would become Israel's prime minister if elections were held tomorrow, citing challenges facing Netanyahu's right-wing…
Hamas Threatens to Withdraw from Gaza Ceasefire Talks Amid Israeli Airstrikes
Hamas has threatened to withdraw from ceasefire talks due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, prompting Israel to debate whether to continue military pressure or pause operatio…
IDF Chief Must Approve All Targeted Killings in Gaza Amid Policy Shift
The IDF has imposed stricter rules requiring the Chief of Staff's approval for targeted killings in Gaza, reducing attacks amid international pressure for a ceasefire. Israeli lea…
Israeli Finance Committee Releases 30 Million Shekels to Religious State Education After Yearlong Freeze
After a yearlong freeze due to Supreme Court petitions, the Israeli Finance Committee released 30 million shekels to state-religious secondary education, completing the disburseme…
IDF Restricts Gaza Strikes to Immediate Threats Only, Requires Chief of Staff Approval
The IDF has restricted Gaza operations to immediate threat neutralization, requiring Chief of Staff approval for targeted killings amid diplomatic efforts for a phased disarmament…
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Ranks Third in Weekly 'Annoying Religious Politician' Poll
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was ranked third in a satirical weekly poll of the most annoying religious politicians in Israel, noted for his unique approach to economic discu…
Average Salaries in Israel Rise Sharply with Finance Sector Leading Gains
Israel’s average salaried wage rose 7.7% in June 2026 to 15,223 shekels amid employment growth. High-tech and finance sectors led salary increases, while education and healthcare…
Defense Minister Katz Fires Central Command Chief Amid Right-Wing Backlash
Defense Minister Israel Katz dismissed Central Command Chief Avi Blot after right-wing backlash over an administrative detainee's arrest. The move, intended to appease right-wing…
Israeli Ministers Reject US-Backed Gaza Disarmament Deal, Warn It Rewards Terrorists
Israeli cabinet ministers condemned a US-backed Gaza disarmament plan, calling it a reward for terrorists and rejecting withdrawal before Hamas is disarmed. Despite UN calls for a…
IDF Chief Postpones Senior Command Appointments Amid Political Tensions and Ongoing Conflict
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir postponed senior command appointments until 2027 amid political tensions and ongoing conflict. Brigadier General Dado Bar Kalifa initially resisted t…