Bezalel Smotrich

Harsh scenes from Oz Zion:

Military Police fired gas grenades into family home

Security forces fired gas grenades directly into a family home in Oz Zion. Two children suffered from shortness of breath and needed medical treatment.

Smotrich in Sderot:

'I will not be surprised if Sinwar agrees to a deal'

Minister of Finance during a visit to Sderot: History will not forgive those who stop the war at this stage.

Smotrich:

'A new town for every country that recognizes a PA state'

The Finance Minister criticized the release of the Shifaa Hospital director and said that he demanded of the Prime Minister to investigate the decision so that a similar situation would not occur in the future.

Smotrich to Chief of Staff:

I don't want to tell you who was sleeping on October 6th

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich slams IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi; refuses to backtrack. Defense Minister: 'I won't accept ministers attacking the IDF.'

Cabinet approves:

Sanctions against PA, regulation of five communities

Cabinet approves Smotrich's measures to combat the recognition of a Palestinian state and proceedings against Israel. They include sanctions against the PA, promotion of construction and other measures.

Political commentator:

Smotrich warned IDF is prevented from eliminating all terrorists

Publicist Amit Segal disclosed that two months ago Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned cabinet members about the legal directive preventing Israel from eliminating all 10/7 terrorists.

Smotrich:

'Do not consume the poisonous lies of the media'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote an open letter today calling on citizens to reject the mainstream media narrative. 'I call on you, citizens of Israel, not to consume the poisonous lies of the Israeli media.'

MK Gadi Eisenkot:

'It's no secret that Itamar and Bezalel have a lot of influence'

MK Gadi Eisenkot criticizes the government, says ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir significantly influence the decision-making.

Poll:

10 seats to Ben-Gvir, five to Smotrich

Poll finds that a right-wing party led by Avigdor Liberman, former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, Naftali Bennet, and Gideon Sa'ar would win 34 seats.

New York Times:

'Smotrich is changing the DNA of Judea and Samaria'

The American newspaper claims that Minister Bezalel Smotrich is changing the state of Israeli control in Judea and Samaria without the application of formal sovereignty.

'Netanyahu is with us full on'

Smotrich outlines plan for control of Judea and Samaria

In recording published by The New York Times, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich heard outlining plan for civil control of Judea and Samaria.

Cabinet discusses:

Punitive measures Smotrich promoted against the Palestinians

Cabinet ministers discuss series of punitive measures against PA, following its attempt to obtain unilateral recognition. The measures will be voted upon at the next Cabinet meeting.

Report:

Blinken pressed Netanyahu to release frozen PA tax revenues

The Biden administration is furious with Finance Minister Smotrich's decision to freeze tax revenues collected for the Palestinian Authority.

Smotrich redirects Palestinian Authority funds to terror victims

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich orders 130 million NIS of Palestinian Authority tax funds to be redirected to benefit families of terror victims.

Smotrich:

We blocked Gantz's plan to establish a Palestinian state

'The responsibility for the misconception that led to the massacre and the failures in the management of the war belongs to Gantz and Eizenkot.'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

‘Developing Jewish communities will prevent terror’

Minister of Finance and Minister in the Ministry of Defense, Bezalel Smotrich: ‘Focusing on broad structural processes that will lead to the development of the Jewish communities.’

Bezalel Smotrich:

'Our heroic soldiers are destroying Hamas and will conquer Gaza'

The Finance Minister promised the return of Jewish civilian life in the Gaza Strip, claiming the government intends for there to be long-term Israeli military control over the area, 'There is no precedent for military control without civilian presence.'

Watch:

Minister Smotrich drumming during Flag March in Jerusalem

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich takes part in the Flag Dance, dances with participants and even joins one of the bands that performed at the event.

Security forces destroy homes near memorial to fallen soldier

Security forces began to demolish buildings in Havat Yair built near a lookout dedicated to the memory of Motti Shamir, who fell in defense of Re'im on October 7th.

Israeli security sources:

Smotrich using his office to bring down the Palestinian Authority

'With a command echelon who grew up on the knees of the Oslo Accords, and simply refuses to wake up, we can never win,' Finance Min. Smotrich accuses.

Smotrich:

'The new concept is exploding in our faces'

Finance Minister comments on the fires that are raging in the north: A year ago there was a defense minister who said we would return Lebanon to the Stone Age. The time has come.

Ben Gvir and Smotrich threaten:

'We won't be part of a government that agrees to Biden outline'

The right blasts the hostage release deal presented by the US President. Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir to Netanyahu: We will disband the government if the outline is approved.

Smotrich:

'Israel must go to war in Judea and Samaria'

Smotrich visits town of Bat Hefer: 'Anyone who talks about establishing a Palestinian state abandons the residents of Sharon and central Israel to death and endangers the existence of the State.'

Honoring war widows and orphans:

At the Knesset: Tribute to the bereaved of the Swords of Iron War

MK Limor Sonn Har Melech, widowed in a terror attack in the past, joined the OneFamily Organization to sponsor an event at the Knesset in honor of the newly widowed and orphaned of the current war.

Smotrich:

Fake news from the Ministry of Defense

In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Defense has been issuing publications against the Minister of Finance, claiming that he is stopping the purchase of new ammunition for the IDF.

After ICC decision:

Smotrich demands appropriate Zionist response' against PA

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demands Prime Minister Netanyahu take immediate measures against the PA for its activities against Israel.

Smotrich vs. Gantz:

Irresponsible, bordering on criminal

Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to Benny Gantz’s ultimatum to the Unity War Government.

Illegal Arab building near Efrat demolished

In recent weeks, demolitions of illegal structures in Judea and Samaria have increased led by Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Israel's proposal to the PA for the Rafah crossing

The Palestinian Authority rejected an Israeli proposal to manage the Rafah crossing, among other reasons, due to the imposition of conditions and the freezing of funds by Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Cabinet meeting

Ministers mocked Ben-Gvir's tweet, Netanyahu laughed

Ministers mocked Ben-Gvir's post in which he attacked President Biden. Ben-Gvir: 'There should be more Tweets like that, I expect you all to join me.'

MK Sukkot:

Billions for home defense? 'The problem will worsen'

MK Tzvi Sukkot claimed that channeling billions into the defense of homes in the cities of the north will only exacerbate the security problem.

Finance Min. Smotrich:

We must eliminate Hamas - and this involves conquering Rafah

'We must maintain our unity at all costs. That is the only way that we will be able to effectively defeat our enemies and withstand the international pressure to end the war and suffer defeat.' Op-ed.

Finance Min. to PM:

Don't block plan to lower cost of living in Israel

Finance Min. Smotrich pens letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, demanding PM keep agreement to use confiscated terror funds to lower cost of living for Israelis.

Yeshiva students' children to lose daycare subsidies?

Finance Ministry proposes list of economic sanctions worth hundreds of millions of shekels, in effort to force haredi yeshiva students to enlist in the IDF.

Smotrich to Netanyahu:

Government freezing construction permits in Judea, Samaria

De facto freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria 'unacceptable,' offers prize to October 7 terrorists, Minister Bezalel Smotrich argues.

Poll: Smotrich gaining strength, Sa’ar losing support

The Religious Zionism party is continuing to grow stronger. Gideon Sa'ar's party is weakening and does not pass the electoral threshold. Ben Gvir increases to ten seats.

Finance Minister:

'Accepting deal is accepting Sinwar's plan for Hamas victory'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented on the proposed deal for the release of the hostages and said that it was ‘Yahya Sinwar’s plan for victory.’

Minister Smotrich to PM:

'Egyptian deal humiliating surrender and existential danger'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacks the Egyptian outline for a deal to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire that would prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.

Smotrich vs. Gallant:

'Defense Minister is delaying operation in Judea and Samaria'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims that numerous processes to seize land in Judea and Samaria are waiting only for the Defense Minister's signature.

Smotrich: No exchanging hostages for ceasefire

The head of intelligence suggested including no entry to Rafah and promoting steps towards a Palestinian state in exchange for the release of the captives. Minister Smotrich rejected the idea as a dangerous proposal.

Poll:

Religious Zionists to receive 7 seats if election was today

The poll found that if a new center-right party, led by fmr. PM Bennett, Fmr. Mossad Chief Cohen and MK Sa'ar were formed it would receive 32 seats.

Under the radar:

Israel's government begins normalizing 68 towns in Judea, Samaria

Min. Smotrich hands government offices a document requesting to advance normalization of 68 communities in Judea and Samaria.

Former Defense Minister:

'Smotrich, Ben Gvir and Sinwar have the same interests'

Former Defense Minister attacked ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir, saying that, 'The two have the same interest as Yahya Sinwar and that is starting a war of Gog and Magog.'

Huge victory for Ad Kan:

Igatha 48 to be shut down due to suspicion of financing terror

Igatha 48 was notified and given an opportunity to respond to concern of its collaboration with terrorist organizations. Minister Bezalel Smotrich: We warned of UAL’s connection to the nonprofit.

Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir demand retaliation against Iran

Minister Ben Gvir called for a strong response to Iran’s attack: 'The concept of proportionality passed from the world on October 7th. In order to create deterrence in the Middle East – we must initiate a full-blown response.'

Min. Smotrich preventing uprooting of trees in Jewish town

Regulation Administration, founded by Min. Smotrich, preventing trees in Nokdim from being uprooted; IDF Chief of Staff orders project to wait.

Smotrich:

'Sinwar senses weakness, only pressure will return hostages'

Finance Minister claims that the only way to defeat Hamas is to keep hitting it and thus increase the pressure to return the hostages.

Smotrich to Netanyahu:

'Only the cabinet has the authority to make decisions in war'

Finance Minister sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to meet with the expanded Security Cabinet to discuss the current situation of the war.

Following troop withdrawal

Government's right flank threatens Netanyahu

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir says the Prime Minister would lose his mandate to rule if he did not attack Rafah. Minister Smotrich calls urgent party meeting to show displeasure with troop withdrawal and ceasefire proposal.

Gallant abandons meeting with Foreign Affairs Comittee

The Defense Minister left a meeting with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, who supervise the Defense Ministry, after disagreeing with their demands.

Smotrich:

'Invade Rafah with or without American consent'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims that invading Rafah must be done regardless of US support.

Smotrich:

'The only person responsible for hostages' plight is Sinwar'

Finance Minister responds to calls for govt. to be more flexible in hostage talks and blame laid at PM for lack of a deal, says such calls and pressure make Hamas harden its positions.

Smotrich vs. Sanctions:

A second victory for Israel's Finance Minister

The clarification from the USA weakening the sanctions against Israelis in Judea and Samaria is the second time that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has outmaneuvered American policy.

Smotrich vs. Sanctions:

USA reduces sanctions against Judea and Samaria residents

The USA has significantly reduced the sanctions it imposed on residents of Judea and Samaria following Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's threats of economic sanctions against Palestinian Authority banks.

Report:

Smotrich is bringing down the PA's banks

Finance Minister Smotrich is acting to collapse the Palestinian Authority's banks, contrary to the security establishment's position.

Calls for boycotts

Amnesty Israel summonsed to defend tax benefits

The Israeli branch of Amnesty International was summonsed to a hearing by the Finance Ministry before its tax benefits are revoked for echoing its parent organization's calls to boycott Israel.

With Smotrich's approval:

Land in Jordan Valley recognized as State land

About 8,000 dunam earmarked for the construction of hundreds of housing units near Moshav Yafit, alongside an area earmarked for a industrial and commercial zone.

Ben Gvir, Smotrich announced:

'If murderers are released, we'll leave the gov't'

TV report: Finance Minister and National Security Minister said in closed conversations that they would leave the government if terrorist murderers were to be released.

Smotrich:

'General Staff responsible for great disaster'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, strongly criticizes the General Staff and the round of appointments in the IDF during the war.

PM didn't answer, Gallant calls special meeting

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant announced on Saturday that he convened a special meeting this evening with IDF, Mossad, and Shin Bet officials and representatives of the hostage negotiations team to discuss Israel's efforts to free the hostages.