Bezalel Smotrich

Israel Election 2026: What does Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party stand for?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

(L-R) Religious Zionist Party (RZP) MK Simcha Rothman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shake hands at the RZP primaries ahead of the 2026 Israeli  election, in Jerusalem, July 26, 2026
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at the Sderot Yeshiva, August 16, 2026.

Smotrich calls on Netanyahu to conquer Gaza under military rule, re-establish settlements

The Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich

Smotrich: Israel should target, kill Hamas leaders, not negotiate with them

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sits down with Editor-in-chief Zvika Klein and Political correspondent Keshet Neev at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem.

Smotrich outlines 10-year plan to bring one million olim from North America, Europe - interview


Eight ministers, lawmakers wanted to leave Netanyahu's Likud for Otzma Yehudit, Ben-Gvir reveals

"They see Otzma's polls, they saw how strong we are, and they wanted to join," Ben-Gvir elaborated.

The minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir

A-G warns haredi schools face funding cuts over core curriculum gaps

During the hearing, the justices sharply criticized the state. Justice Gila Canfy-Steinitz asked the state's representative: "Under what law or procedure were the funds transferred?"

Attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara at a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, in the Israeli parliament on September 30, 2025.

The secret Smotrich kept from his wife: Israel was going to war with Iran - interview

He voted against the January 2025 hostage deal, his own voters demanded he resign, and Ben-Gvir walked out. Smotrich stayed silent for five months. In an interview with the Post, he explained why.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with 'Jerusalem Post' Editor in Chief Zvika Klein, August 12, 2026.

Israel Katz and the Likud are ‘boom-boom-booming’ politics away – opinion

Regardless of who is competing in Israel’s upcoming elections, what must remain a top priority is to keep an eye on which politician intends to do what with the power bestowed upon them.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and other coalition lawmakers attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-establishment of the settlement of Sa-Nur, in the West Bank, April 19, 2026

WATCH: 'I know how to act responsibly': Smotrich outlines election strategy, plan to draft haredim

“I think that right now the Religious Zionist public can and should run on its own as a big, strong, significant party,” Smotrich told the Post.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich

MKs attend reestablishment of West Bank settlement of Ganim, 21 years after disengagement

Katz and MK Yuli Edelstein attended the inauguration ceremony, breaking ground alongside Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan and several other members of Knesset.

Jews return to the former settlement of Ganim in the northern West Bank, which was evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel’s Disengagement Plan, August 13, 2026.

Reservists to be granted increased housing benefits under new government plan

"From the very first day of the war, we have been wrapping IDF fighters and commanders, in both regular and reserve service, in a huge umbrella of billions upon billions," Smotrich said.

IDF soldiers conducting counterterrorism operations in the Gaza Strip, September 14, 2025.

Hamas sees demilitarization talks as strategy to 'trap Israel,' Zini warns security cabinet

Speaking during a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Zini said Hamas believes it should have pursued the demilitarization agreement with the Board of Peace in order to "trap Israel."

Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director David Zini visits at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror, on April 21, 2026.

'Arabs want to live': Left-wing protesters attempt to breach Religious Zionist party headquarters

Party members were instructed by their leadership not to leave their offices, and Israel Police are en route to the scene.

Standing Together Activists protest inside of the Religious Zionist Paty's headquarters on August 5, 2026.

‘Zionist act of highest order’: Smotrich allocates NIS 113m. to develop West Bank heritage sites

The West Bank is home to over 2,600 archaeological and heritage sites, including the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the Qumran Caves in the Judean Desert, and Sebastia. 

People visit Herodion National Park at the site in the West Bank, on January 9, 2023.