Bezalel Smotrich

Smotrich announces expansion of West Bank's Highway 465, pushes for new level of 'safety, security'

"The doubling of this important road will create a completely different level of safety, security, and quality of life," said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announcing the project.

Highway 465's expansion was approved.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order on Road 4 near Bnei Brak, July 16, 2026.

Tax Authority will immediately stop war damage claims until Bnei Brak mayor condemns mob attacks

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Ganz, Head of Binyamin Regional Council and Orit Strock, National Mission Minister at a faction meeting in the Jewish settlement of Givat Harel, in the West Bank, February 14, 2023.

Israeli gov't gives Jordan Valley farmers drones, rangers to deter 'Palestinian terror state'

Naftali Bennett

'Desecrating religious Zionism': Bennett slams Smotrich as true architect of draft evasion law


Israel set to approve funding plan for 61 West Bank settlements - report

Axios's Barak Ravid reported on X/Twitter that the proposal is scheduled to be brought before the cabinet for approval. Additional details about the plan were not immediately available.

View of the settlement of Sa-Nur in the West Bank, April 19, 2026.

Ministerial committee approves Torah Study bill amid coalition tensions

Netanyahu’s coalition advances the Torah Study law, despite opposition and warnings that the bill could worsen draft evasion amid Israel’s manpower shortage.

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Ben-Gvir proposes arresting family members of Hezbollah terrorists

The National Security Minister called for Knesset members to "think outside the box about Hezbollah," arguing that arresting women and youth would hurt Hezbollah members the most.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and committee head MK Zvika Fogel attend a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on March 24, 2026.

Some 140 UK Labour MPs urge government to ban trade with West Bank settlements

The letter noted that countries such as Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium have either already implemented bans or are in the process of doing so.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper at the UN Security Council, New York, February 18, 2026; illustrative.

Smotrich parade row exposes deep divide among American Jews - opinion

NYC Israel Day Parade controversy highlights growing tensions within global Jewish communities.

Israeli politicians, government ministers, public officials and supporters take part in the Israel Day Parade in New York City, May 31, 2026

Smotrich reportedly proposes attacking 20-30 buildings in Dahiyeh for every Iranian missile

Smotrich reportedly argued that hitting Hezbollah targets in Beirut would be a more efficient response than direct strikes on Iran.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, May 19, 2026.

Israel’s policy on the future of Gaza, West Bank - opinion

But what is Israel’s long-term policy in the Gaza Strip? There was short-lived enthusiasm both by Netanyahu and the rest of the government about Trump’s Middle East Riviera program in Feb 2025.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

'A bloody wake-up call': Israeli politicians, officials condemn deadly terror shooting attack

One person was killed, and five others were wounded in the attack, which began at Kochav Yair and continued on past Tsur Yitshak, Tsur Natan, and Selait.

IDF soldiers operating at the site of the terror attack in the Sharon region, June 7, 2026.

Explaining Israel's elections: Ten scenarios Israelis should prepare for in 2026 - opinion

There could be five races again with no coalition formed, as we had before, and we might end up staying in election mode for quite some time.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, cast their vote during elections for the Likud Central Committee, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center, Nov.25, 2025.

Hardline right-wing MKs Ben-Gvir, Smotrich banned from travel to Ireland - report

Reports cited Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, who told reporters that he had heard from Ireland's Justice Ministry that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had been banned.

(L-R) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir