Bezalel Smotrich
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Bezalel Smotrich, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
Finance Minister Smotrich Proposes Cutting Reserve Duty Days, Faces Sharp Criticism
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed reducing Israeli reserve duty to 30 days annually by 2027, expanding the pool of reservists and increasing Haredi enlistment. The plan i…
Israeli Minister Smotrich Warns Right Against Complacency to Avoid Oslo-Like Disaster
Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich warns right-wing voters against complacency and political fragmentation, fearing a return to Oslo-like dangers if the left regains power. He high…
Investigation Reveals Left-Wing Campaign Flying Foreign Voters to Israel Without Transparency
Channel 14's investigation reveals a left-wing-linked campaign spending nearly two million shekels to fly foreign voters to Israel without transparency, raising concerns over unre…
Israel Reestablishes Ganim Settlement in Northern Samaria After 21 Years
Israel officially reopens the Ganim settlement in northern Samaria after 21 years since its evacuation in 2005, with government officials and settler leaders marking the event. Th…
Israeli Families Reestablish Ganim Settlement in Northern West Bank After 21 Years
After 21 years, 30 Israeli families officially reestablished the Ganim settlement in northern West Bank, marking a strategic expansion of Jewish presence supported by government m…
West Bank Council Leaders Condemn Settler Siege on Palestinian Village Kosra and Call for Stronger Israeli Action
Beit El council head Shai Alon and Yesha Council chairman Israel Gantz condemned the settler siege on the Palestinian village of Kosra in the West Bank, calling it damaging to Isr…
Gadi Eizenkot Leads New Poll as Netanyahu and Bennett Lose Support
A recent poll shows Gadi Eizenkot's Yashar! party leading with 23 seats, while Netanyahu's Likud falls to 21 and Bennett's Beyachad drops to 12. The opposition bloc nears a majori…
Yaron Zelekha Promises Major Cost-of-Living Cuts, Claims Netanyahu Fears Appointing Him Finance Minister
Yaron Zelekha, leader of Israel's Economic Party, pledges to cut the country's high cost of living by breaking monopolies and reforming economic policies. He revealed that Prime M…
Nine Banks to Be Cut Off from Shekel Transactions with Palestinian Authority by October
Nine banks, mostly Palestinian and Jordanian, will be cut off from Israeli shekel transactions with the Palestinian Authority by October due to terror financing concerns. This wil…
Opposition Condemns Jerusalem Ultra-Orthodox Protest Using Holocaust Symbols Against IDF Service
A Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox protest against military service using Holocaust imagery near Bnei Brak sparked sharp condemnation from Israeli opposition leaders, who called for endin…
Israeli Supreme Court Returns Shaked Yemen Case to State Prosecutor Amid Political Backlash
The Israeli Supreme Court unanimously decided to return the Shaked Yemen investigation to the State Prosecutor, prompting Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to denounce the ruling…
IDF Deploys Infantry Battalion to West Bank Amidst Ongoing Settler-Palestinian Clashes in Kuseira
The IDF has deployed an additional infantry battalion to the West Bank village of Kuseira following extremist settlers' establishment of a new outpost near Palestinian homes, whic…
Palestinian Leaders Warn Against Smotrich's Call to Block Abbas's Return to Ramallah
Palestinian leaders warn that Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich's call to block Mahmoud Abbas's return to Ramallah reflects a broader Israeli policy of hostility and election-driv…
Settler Leader Condemns Violent Fringe Undermining West Bank Settlement Growth
Adi Mintz, a leading advocate for West Bank settlement expansion, condemns violent settler actions that harm the settlement movement and Israeli security cooperation. He praises t…
Tzvi Blitz Leaves Religious Zionism Party After Deputy Mayor Dismissal, Joins Gilad Erdan's Unity Party
Tzvi Blitz left the Religious Zionism party after being removed as deputy mayor of Petah Tikva, joining Gilad Erdan's Unity party. Blitz denies claims his resignation was due to l…
Raviv Drucker Criticizes Ahmad Tibi for Undermining Change Government and Blocking Arab Party Unity
Raviv Drucker sharply criticized Ahmad Tibi for causing the fall of Israel's change government and blocking Arab party unity, hindering political progress.
Likud's Shlomo Karhi Opposes Personal Primary Protection, Supports Netanyahu's Right-Wing Bloc Strategy
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi opposes personal protected slots in the Likud primaries but supports Netanyahu’s use of them to protect the right-wing bloc. He criticized sen…
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen Joins Likud, Announces Primary Bid
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, formerly of Otzma Yehudit, announced his bid in the Likud primaries after receiving Prime Minister Netanyahu's endorsement and a shortened waiting per…
Civil Administration Demolishes 26 Illegal Arab Structures in Northern Samaria
The Civil Administration demolished 26 illegal Arab structures in northern Samaria's Ganim and Kadim area under Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's orders, ahead of planned settle…
Liberal-Democratic Sector Faces Existential Battle in Jerusalem Ahead of 2026 Elections
The battle over Saturday cafe openings in Jerusalem reflects a wider conflict over the city's identity and Israel's liberal-democratic future amid demographic changes and the 2026…
Bank Hapoalim Reports 2.1% Profit Decline in Q2 2026 Amid Interest Rate Cuts and New Tax
Bank Hapoalim reported a 2.1% profit decline in Q2 2026 to 2.49 billion shekels, impacted by lower interest rates and a new tax. Credit growth helped sustain income despite a 7% p…
MK Avi Maoz Runs Independently, Vows Equal Education Funding and Opposes Draft for Torah Students
MK Avi Maoz of Noam LeIsrael declares an independent run to protect the right-wing bloc, aiming for the Education Ministry. He promises equal funding for all students regardless o…
Bezalel Smotrich Identifies Electoral Threshold as His Biggest Challenge
In a podcast debate on the high cost of living, Bezalel Smotrich stated that the electoral threshold is his toughest political challenge.
Itamar Ben Gvir Criticizes Netanyahu Over Gaza Policy and Peace Council Entry
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's Gaza policy and opposed the Peace Council's entry into Gaza, calling for a tougher stance against…
Itamar Ben-Gvir Blames Netanyahu for Security Policy Amid Gaza Withdrawal Talks
Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for supporting a gradual Israeli withdrawal in Gaza under a 15-point plan, calling it a strategic mistake. He opposes restricti…
New Poll Shows Yisrael Beiteinu Surges, Bennett Gains, Netanyahu and Others Lose Ground
A recent Midgam poll shows Yisrael Beiteinu gaining strength and leading with 24 seats, while Likud falls to 22. Naftali Bennett's party improves to 15 seats, reversing previous l…
Israeli Importers Capitalize on Shekel Strength as Dollar Falls Below 3 Shekels
In the second quarter of 2026, Israeli importers aggressively purchased foreign currency as the dollar fell below 3 shekels, capitalizing on the strong shekel to reduce import cos…
Critic Berlah Krombi Blasts Moshe Feiglin for Undermining Israeli Right-Wing Unity
Berlah Krombi sharply criticizes Moshe Feiglin for repeatedly splitting the Israeli right-wing vote and failing to deliver political achievements, warning his current candidacy co…
Young Family Leads New Settlement Establishment in Northern West Bank's Emek Dotan
Yinon and Talor Mena, with their newborn daughter, joined 21 other families to establish the new Emek Dotan settlement in northern Samaria. This move is part of a regional plan to…
Israeli Political Unity Talks Seen as Survival Tactics, Not Genuine Change
Ariel Sharfer argues that Israeli political unity talks are superficial, driven by survival rather than real change, with upcoming elections unlikely to bring genuine transformati…
Emily Amrussi Endorses New Party Led by Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, and Aliza Bloch
Emily Amrussi endorses a new Israeli political party led by Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, and Aliza Bloch, praising their leadership and calling for broad unity across political li…
Israeli Enforcement in West Bank Surges with Record Demolitions of Illegal Palestinian Structures
The Israeli Civil Administration reports a sharp rise in demolitions of illegal Palestinian structures in the West Bank, reaching 536 in early 2026. Minister Bezalel Smotrich cred…
Moshe Feiglin Proposes United Right-Wing Bloc with Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and Winter
Moshe Feiglin calls for a united right-wing bloc with Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and Winter to increase electoral strength, warning Zehut will run alone if rejected.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen Opens Up in Candid Basketball Interview Ahead of Elections
Ahead of Israel's elections, Energy Minister Eli Cohen spoke candidly with Channel 13's Paz Robinson during a basketball game in Holon, sharing personal insights and political amb…
Israel Sees 12% Tax Revenue Surge in July to 53.3 Billion Shekels
Israel's tax revenues jumped 12% in July 2026 to 53.3 billion shekels, driven by higher direct and capital market taxes. Despite steady deficits, the year-to-date deficit fell sha…
Jewish Settlement Ganim to Be Reestablished in Northern West Bank After 21 Years
The Jewish settlement Ganim in northern Samaria is being reestablished 21 years after its evacuation in 2005, with pioneering families moving in and a new yeshiva branch opening…
Israeli Government Expands Housing Benefits for Reservists with New Discounted Units and Plots
The Israeli government has expanded a housing program offering 20,000 discounted apartments and land plots to reservists over two years, increasing their allocation to 75%. Despit…
Israel Officially Approves Jurisdiction of Givat HaRa'el Settlement and Recognizes Kida and Esh Kodesh Names
Israel officially approves the jurisdiction of the Givat HaRa'el settlement and recognizes the original names of Kida and Esh Kodesh. This formal recognition follows a 2023 Securi…
Right-Wing Government Turns Into a Trap for Likud, Undermining Its Own Power
Israel's full right-wing government under Likud has become a self-defeating trap, pushing a theocratic agenda and judicial changes to protect Netanyahu, while losing control and f…
Netanyahu Bloc Faces Uncertainty as Smotrich Avoids Meeting While Ben Gvir Commits
Ahead of Israel's 2026 elections, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich refuses to commit to working with Netanyahu, contrasting with Itamar Ben Gvir's pledge, amid fears of a governm…
Netanyahu Seeks Increased Defense Budget Without Specifying Funding Amid Election Tensions
Prime Minister Netanyahu seeks a long-term increase in Israel's defense budget without clarifying funding sources, opting for deficit spending ahead of elections. This strategy ri…
Likud Leads as Haredi Parties Hold Steady and Bennett's Support Continues to Decline
A Kan News poll shows Likud leading with 24 seats and Netanyahu favored as prime minister, while Bennett's party falls to 13 seats. Haredi parties remain stable, and new parties f…
IDF Faces Urgent Apache Helicopter Shortage as Purchase Approval Delays Risk Production Slot
The IDF urgently needs 12 new Apache helicopters, but delays in financial approval from Israel's Finance Ministry risk losing production slots and doubling costs. The Defense Mini…
Netanyahu Rejects New Gaza Peace Plan Amid Election Pressure and Rift with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a new 15-point Gaza peace plan amid upcoming elections, signaling a rare public rift with former U.S. President Tru…
Israeli Election Committee Orders Ben Gvir to Blur Police Faces in Campaign Video
Israel's Central Election Committee ordered Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to blur police officers' faces in a campaign video after a petition claimed misuse of public resources. The co…
Former Shin Bet Chief Yoram Cohen Vows to Pass 'Defendant Law' in Next Israeli Government
Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen pledged to pass the "Defendant Law" preventing indicted lawmakers from forming a government in Israel's next administration. He criticized politi…
Israeli Reservists’ Families Struggle with Repeated Call-Ups and Criticize Haredi Exemptions and Religious Zionist Support
Since October 2023, Israeli reservist families endure repeated call-ups, causing fear and disruption at home. Naama Yedid, a reservist’s wife, shares her family’s struggles and cr…
Al Jazeera Highlights Arab World’s Secret Plan to Oust Netanyahu and Shift Israeli Politics
Arab media and states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, are reportedly working to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, viewing his right-wing government as a…