Bezalel Smotrich

Smotrich willing to forgo Defense Ministry - on one condition

Religious Zionism chief agrees to forgo Defense Ministry - but only if he receives responsibility for management of Judea & Samaria affairs.

Report:

Smotrich demanding sovereignty plan be part of coalition deal

Smotrich reportedly demanding Netanyahu include in coalition agreement a plan to promote sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Smotrich responds to attacks:

'We will keep to our demands, they can't turn us into an enemy'

Netanyahu supporters are attacking the Religious Zionism chair for standing by his demand to be Defense Minister in the next government.

MK Orit Strock:

'Netanyahu is delegitimizing us'

"Prior to elections, Netanyahu said nothing about not wanting Smotrich in Defense Ministry."

Likud offers Foreign Ministry to Smotrich

Netanyahu hopes to persuade Smotrich to drop demand for Defense or Finance portfolio.

Poll:

Public thinks Deri, Smotrich not suitable for Finance, Defense

Israeli public not thrilled with Shas chairman as Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman as Defense Minister.

Ben-Gvir to Netanyahu:

Appoint Smotrich to position of Defense Minister

MK Ben-Gvir calls for MK Smotrich to be given Defense Ministry, says move will allow right-wing policies. 'His demand is legitimate.'

This is the compromise deal Netanyahu and Deri offered

It is not yet clear if Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu will succeed in forming a government by the middle of next week.

Netanyahu sets deadline for forming government

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu sets middle of next week as deadline for swearing in new government.

Netanyahu trying to sow division between Smotrich, Ben-Gvir?

After encouraging the two to run together, Netanyahu is now negotiating separately with the two - and accepting some of Ben-Gvir's demands.

End of the stalemate?

Smotrich may have found an alternative for his demands

Sources involved in the negotiations say that the Religious Zionism chair may give up on his demands in exchange for the Lands Authority.

Otzma Yehudit MK:

'US should be happy Ben Gvir will be Public Security Minister'

MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf: Smotrich deserves the position of Minister of Defense as well as other positions.

Netanyahu to Smotrich:

Because of me you united with Ben-Gvir and have 14 seats

Details of contentious meeting between PM-designate, Religious Zionism party revealed. Smotrich: Because of me Silman left the coalition.

A direct and open appeal to Member of Knesset Bezalel Smotrich

You have the opportunity to stop the Oslo train that has continued to hurtle toward the abyss since the day the accords were signed.Op-ed.

Coalition negotiations remain deadlocked over portfolios

PM-designate meets Shas chairman Deri for 20 minutes. 'A little patience, and with G-d's help we will establish a right-wing government.'

Likud cancels planned coalition talks with right-wing partners

After contentious meeting between Netanyahu and Smotrich, Likud announces it has nixed meetings Wednesday with UTJ, Religious Zionist Party.

Report:

Biden admin. pressuring Netanyahu not to appoint Smotrich as DM

White House sending clear message to incoming Israeli prime minister that US does not support Smotrich as defense minister, journalist says.

Will Arab allies abandon Israel over right-wing government?

A strategic expert from Tel Aviv University says Netanyahu may become a 'balancing act' between the Right and the Arab world.

Netanyahu to Smotrich:

Choose any ministry - other than Defense or Finance

No progress in coalition talks between Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu and MK Smotrich - despite meeting between them.

Gantz to remain Defense Minister?

Defense Min. Benny Gantz may be offered to join coalition in exchange for remaining in his position, sources say.

Former IDF commander:

'Defense establishment will be pleasantly surprised by Smotrich'

Yiftah Ron-Tal, former Ground Forces commander, dismisses concerns that US won't work with MK Bezalel Smotrich if he becomes Defense Min.

Haredi newspaper: 'Smotrich has no more than 7 MKs behind him'

Yated Ne'eman slams Religious Zionism chief MK Bezalel Smotrich for demanding Defense Ministry with 'no more than 7 MKs behind him.'

Op-ed:

What is Smotrich up to?

Israelis will call Netanyahu a traitor if he betrays his right-wing partners once again. Smotrich must stand up for his voters Op-ed.

Coalition negotiations:

Aryeh Deri to be Defense Minister?

PM-designate Netanyahu reportedly asks Shas chairman to take defense portfolio to Smotrich can become Finance Minister.

MK-elect: 'Murderous delegitimization campaign against Smotrich'

Almog Cohen, MK-elect from Otzma Yehudit, emphasizes: 'This is what the people chose, Bezalel Smotrich will be an excellent minister.'

Former Labor chairwoman:

'Amen that Deri will be Minister of Finance'

Shelly Yechimovich is certain that Deri would be many times better than Liberman and Smotrich in the Ministry of Finance.

Israeli civilians are better on strategic security than brass

Israel's history has shown that civilians in the government have often understood security needs better than former officers. Op-ed.

Coalition talks:

Smotrich meets with rabbis to get support for coalition demands

The Religious Zionism chair is seeking to receive the Defense, Education, and Religious Affairs portfolios.

Dispute over Finance Ministry:

Shas and Religious Zionist Party chiefs meet

MKs Bezalel Smotrich and Aryeh Deri meet, after both leaders reportedly seek the Finance Ministry portfolio, complicating coalition talks.

Shas negotiator:

'Only 50% chance that Deri will choose finance portfolio'

Shas's Yehuda Avidan explains the difference between Deri and Smotrich's economic outlooks, says his party chairman will decide by tomorrow

Religious Zionism:

'Bezalel Smotrich will be the next Defense Minister'

Party also wants Education, Religious Affairs portfolios

Ben-Gvir's new demand:

Cancel recognition of Reform conversion in Law of Return

Change to law would overturn Supreme Court ruling.

Report:

Netanyahu leaving negotiations with Religious Zionism for last

PM-elect Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to avoid giving Defense Ministry to Religious Zionism's MK Bezalel Smotrich, report says.

Former Chief of Staff:

'I see no problem with the rules of engagement'

Gadi Eizenkot, MK-elect & former Chief of Staff, says party won't join Netanyahu gov't, claims 'no problem' with current open fire policies.

Former defense official:

'Enormous disaster' if Smotrich becomes Defense Min.

Former Defense Min. official Amos Gilad says MK Bezalel Smotrich 'has a spine,' warns of 'enormous disaster' if he becomes Defense Minister.

Former MK:

'Not concerned about Smotrich serving as Defense Minister'

Former MK Ofer Shelah believes defense establishment can benefit from Smotrich holding the position of Defense Minister.

Report: Likud offers Smotrich Justice Min. instead of Defense

Religious Zionism party chairman reportedly refuses all offers which are not the Finance or Defense Ministries.

Only in English:

Journalist claims Religious Zionism are 'Jewish supremacists'

Journalist Barak Ravid calls Religious Zionism party 'Jewish supremacists' - but only in English report.

Is Netanyahu being driven into a corner by the 'far right?'

What will Netanyahu do now that the religious right accounts for the vast majority of his new coalition?

Coalition talks:

Smotrich inclined to take defense portfolio

According to reports, the Religious Zionism chair is currently leaning towards choosing position of Defense Minister over Finance Minister.

Report: US worried Smotrich will be Israel's Defense Minister

Biden Admin. reportedly concerned Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir will be given important ministries in the Netanyahu govt.

MK Ahmed Tibi:

'We own this land, we will overcome Smotrich too'

MK Ahmed Tibi: We will not have contacts with Ben Gvir, and I believe that Jewish MKs won't either.

Smotrich willing to give up Finance Ministry

Religious Zionist Party chairman told Shas chairman he would give up the Finance Ministry for him and demand the Defense Ministry.

De facto sovereignty?

Smotrich to demand cancellation of Civil Administration

MK Bezalel Smotrich, Religious Zionism head, to demand changes in how construction is approved in Judea & Samaria in coalition negotiations.

CoS responds to Smotrich:

'Rabin was assassinated because of wild incitement'

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi responds to Smotrich who said security services encouraged Rabin assassin Yigal Amir.

Will Smotrich be forced to retract his comments on Rabin murder?

With many in the public eye enraged by his comments, with the Religious Zionism party leader have to walk back his allegations?

Smotrich:

'Holding soccer games on Shabbat undemocratic and un-Jewish'

Religious Zionism party chairman writes to head of Israel's soccer league demanding end to holding on games on Shabbat.

Netanyahu pushes for shortcut to new coalition, but MKs refuse

Seeking to speed up coalition building process, Netanyahu pushes to split negotiations into two stages, but faces push back from allies.

Senior ISA figures:

'Smotrich encourages conspiracy theories'

The senior figures called out the Religious Zionism chairman after he claimed that the security services encouraged Yitzhak Rabin's assassin

Smotrich at Rabin memorial:

'Security services encouraged Rabin's assassin'

Knesset meets to mark 27 years since the assassination of PM Rabin, outgoing PM Lapid and incoming PM Netanyahu addressed the meeting

Smotrich, Ben-Gvir unite in coalition negotiations

Religious Zionism party, Otzma Yehudit leaders announce they will only join the coalition together, support each other's ministry demands.

Liberman:

'Smotrich will ignore Netanyahu once he's Finance Minister'

Liberman criticizes Netanyahu for considering appointing Gafni as chairman of Finance Committee and Smotrich as Finance Minister.

Religious Zionist parties to coordinate coalition negotiations

MKs Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, to coordinate coalition negotiations between themselves, back each others' demands.

How do American Jews feel about 'far right' winning elections?

American Jews from different religious spectrums are asked how they feel about Smotrich and Ben-Gvir winning big in the elections.

Ayman Odeh concerned:

'Kahanism has become 15% of the Israeli public'

Hadash-Ta'al chairman: If the exit polls do not change, our public will stand firm against fascism and racism.

Smotrich:

'Itamar and I are continuing to work together'

Religious Zionist Party celebrating after exit polls predicts it won 14-15 seats.

Bezalel Smotrich:

'Today Religious Zionism made history'

Religious Zionism chair celebrates party's achievement

Ben-Gvir to INN:

'Cooperation with Smotrich will continue into the next Knesset'

Religious Zionism will split into two after the elections - but the cooperation between the parties will continue, MK Ben-Gvir promises.

Watch:

Smotrich plays 'Hatikva' on the piano

Religious Zionist Party chairman plays “Hatikva” at the conclusion of a meeting with activists in Ra'anana.

Smotrich to INN:

'Ben-Gvir's rise is one of the better things to happen'

The Religious Zionism chair speaks with INN about his party's chances, his running mate, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu, and more.