Religious Zionist party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, clarifies that it opposes a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, but will remain in government if fighting resumes following the first stage of the deal.
Minister Smotrich voiced his strong opposition to the deal that was reached between Israel and Hamas and restated that his party would only remain in the government if Israel returned to the fighting.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with list of demands to ensure Israel's security - even if a ceasefire deal with Hamas is signed.
'I consider these matters quietly, behind closed doors, in a very substantive, serious, insightful, and in-depth discussion,' says Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on emerging hostage deal.
Tuvia Smotrich, brother of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calls for elections, says the government "contradicts the most important core promise of the post-October 7 era."
Following threats by Chairman of Otzma Yehudit to resign in the event of a deal approval, PM makes offer to Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir, on condition that they remain in the government.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join forces in opposing the emerging hostage deal.
Bereaved families write to Ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich, demanding an emergency meeting and calling on them to resign from the government in the wake of the deal that will see the release of terrorists.
'We will not support a surrender deal that includes the release of arch-terrorists, stops the war, and undermines our achievements,' Finance Minister and security cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich says on the emerging hostage deal.
The Perl family expressed frustration to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during a condolence visit for their son Matityahu Perel.
The Finance Minister is now accompanied by nearly as many bodyguards as the Prime Minister is after Palestinian Arabs published calls to assassinate him.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on security forces to take decisive action to confront terrorism in Judea and Samaria after 3 people were murdered near his hometown of Kedumim today.
Ministers Smotrich and Elkin published to reimbursement plan for residents returning to northern Israel. Residents will receive a grant of 15,400 NIS for an adult and 7,700 NIS for a child, plus an additional 'vacancy reimbursement.'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signs two-year extension for tax exemptions for a list of food products. 'Impact will be felt in every home.'
Otzma Yehudit accuses Smotrich of blocking the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels to the police, votes against budget laws in the Knesset.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the issue of hostages, emphasizing unity and criticizing the opposition for divisive rhetoric.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich meets bereaved families and says: "A responsible deal is one in which all the hostages are returned."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visits Metula with the leadership of the Finance Ministry: We are committed to a thorough reconstruction of the entire region.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich prays at Kiryat Shmona yeshiva as its hundreds of students celebrate a return to their city, praises IAF strike on Houthi targets in Yemen.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich explains his opposition to the hostage release deal in its current form: "Releasing hundreds of terrorists who will rehabilitate Hamas' leadership is very bad."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich slams proposed prisoner swap deal, stressing that it won't bring back all the hostages. 'Hamas is at its lowest point, this is not the time to throw them a lifeline.'
Culture Minister Miki Zohar calls on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to revoke budget from Batsheva Dance Company after it raised a Palestinian flag during performance.
Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attacks Minister Smotrich over state budget debate; and Otzma Yehudit threatens not to vote with coalition.
Finance Ministry publishes draft of order permanently cancelling the tax on sweetened drinks and disposables enacted by the Bennett-Lapid government in 2022.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state and says economy will bounce back, despite ongoing war, steadying finances in 2025.
Minister Smotrich conveys message to IDF: 'If someone in the General Staff's senior command does not know how to do this, or is unable to, they should step down.'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently declared a large amount of land in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley to be 'state land'. How does such a process work, and what does this mean for Israel?
Finance Minister sends letter to Prime Minister, requests that the issue of reopening the train route to Sderot be brought up at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says IDF 'enforcing agreement,' stresses that Lebanese government must be forced to pay a price for ceasefire violations, or it won't enforce the ceasefire.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanks US President-elect Donald Trump for clarifying that Hamas will suffer a heavy blow if Israeli hostages are not returned prior to Inauguration Day.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says he wants the hostages home but will 'not lend a hand to an agreement to surrender,' believes resettling Gaza is the right thing, but 'it is not one of the goals of the war - we need to dismantle Hamas.'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich meets representatives of Kibbutz Nir Oz: "We will continue to stand and work for the development and renewed growth of the kibbutz."
'Many called me an extremist, today everyone understands how necessary it was to remove the threat on Israel's northern border,' says Bezalel Smotrich.
Israeli government approves extending indemnities to PA banks for another year to prevent the PA economy from collapsing after the Biden Administration assured Israel it would veto any UN Security Council resolution recognizing a Palestinian State.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich requests that Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur add a special status for IDF reservists, allowing them to receive daycare subsidies.
National Camp unites, for first time since US elections, in special Yesha Council meeting, to formulate strategy for upcoming change of US government.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his wife Revital welcome their eldest son's first child, a boy.
'There is opportunity for historic changes for Judea and Samaria, but we must navigate them very carefully and responsibly. I’ll even say, patiently,' said Bezalel Smotrich at the Yesha Council conference.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich addresses the Yesha Council conference and speaks about the possibility of a ceasefire agreement in the north, 'This is a very complex situation. Entire villages have been completely destroyed.'
During a working meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich talks with newly-appointed chief rabbis, Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Ber, about key issues to benefit Israeli citizens.
Finance Minister Smotrich is considering taking action in the against the Palestinian Authority due to their activities against Israel in international institutions.
In February 2017, Bezalel Smotrich warned against 'a massive attack from Gaza with hundreds of casualties and hostages.' His warning was laughed off.
17 Democratic senators and 71 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter to the President calling on him to take advantage of his time left in office to sanction the two senior Israeli officials.
Brother of terror victim, Ari Fuld, sends emotional message to Mike Huckabee after his appointment as the next US Ambassador to Israel.
During his visit, Minister Smotrich met with Sigal Yehud, widow of Dolev, murdered on 10/7 and Dolev's sister-in-law, Sharon Aloni Cunio, who was released from captivity.
The Prime Minister said recently in closed talks that after Trump's entry into the White House, the issue of sovereignty over the Judea and Samaria areas should be revisited.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the official spokesman of PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, says that "the year 2025 will be the year of realization of the establishment of the Palestinian state."
The Religious Zionist party has announced that it will agree to support a bill that would enable daycare subsidies for yeshiva students only if at the same time there are preferential allocations and additions for reservists.
The government has approved a state budget for 2025 of approximately 605 billion shekels, an important step in avoiding early elections.
Families of hostages met with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who told them: I will not decide in advance and I will not say in advance that I am against the deal until I know exactly what is on the table.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich cried while talking about members of the religious Zionist community who fell in battle. 'The religious Zionist sector has paid a price disproportionate to its percentage of the population.'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to Housing Minister's demand that the Draft Law pass before the State budget.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen together with counterparts from several other nations sent a letter warning the Israeli PM that his Finance Minister's policies may lead to the financial collapse of the PA.
The elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar illustrates the importance of persistence, patience, and the importance of 'hard and consistent work, and a willingness to pay prices, and not just special operations and isolated successes.'
Keir Starmer to Ed Davey, 'UK considering sanctions for Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben Gvir.' 'The days of the Mandate are over. They do not scare me.'
'I strongly reject attempts to set an irresponsible ultimatum for the approval of the state budget necessary for war and the resilience of the economy.'
Finance Minister responds after Globes newspaper says the citizens of Sderot have no train service due to his refusal to fund armored trains.
Former Chief of Staff Dan Halutz says in left-wing demonstration that ministers Ben Gvir, Smotrich and Levin are the existential threat to the country and not the various terrorist organizations.
TV report claims Ministers Bezalel Smotrich, Yariv Levin and David Amsalem opposed Nasrallah's elimination. All three ministers reject the report.
Channel 13 report: Netanyahu held a series of security discussions on Monday in the presence of cabinet ministers, with the exception of two ministers. PM's office: There is no truth to the report.
