Bezalel Smotrich

Millions for terror victims:

Smotrich implements sanctions on PA

Finance Minister to sign order transferring NIS 139 million of PA finds to terror victims under Litvak verdict.

Smotrich to Judge Barak:

'You have caused enough damage, don't add insult to injury'

Finance Minister responds to former Supreme Court President who denounced judicial reforms in series of interviews.

Canceling disposables tax? Environmentalists cry foul

Environment experts are warning against Smotrich's proposed plan to cancel the tax imposed by former Finance Minister, Liberman.

Israel’s power couple

Critics fear they will change the country forever, but their incredible electoral success proves the change has already happened. Op-ed.

First Act As Finance Minister

Smotrich vows greater competition, fewer taxes in new government

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for swift removal of taxes added by Liberman on soft drinks and disposables.

Details of Smotrich's plan to combat cost of living revealed

Finance Minister seeks to freeze rise in electricity prices, grant tax benefits to low salary workers.

Smotrich to WSJ:

'New govt. brings Israel closer to American model'

Religious Zionism party chairman says his party seeks to expand individual freedom, bring economy and judiciary more in line with US.

Knesset passes Deri and Smotrich laws, Knesset Speaker resigns

Two key coalition bills passed two days before swearing-in of new government.

Smotrich's brother:

'You'd never dare to come out against the haredim this way'

Brother of Finance Minister-designate criticizes Netanyahu after he condemned Orit Strock.

Incoming government to strip attorney general of veto power

Proposed legislation would drastically reduce the attorney general's influence on future laws.

Report:

Smotrich to control construction approval in Judea and Samaria

Likud and Religious Zionist parties reportedly agree to dramatically reduce PM's involvement in construction approval for Judea and Samaria.

Coalition deal: Promoting sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

PM-designate pledges to MK Smotrich to begin process of applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Smotrich's achievements:

Budgets for state-religious education, Jewish settlement

National-Religious Chief Rabbi to be appointed, programs to enhance Jewish identity promoted.

18 minutes before the deadline

Netanyahu tells Herzog: I have succeeded in forming a government

Religious Zionist Party is the first to sign an agreement with the Likud.

Eizenkot to Likud:

'It's not too late to stop'

Former Chief of Staff says Smotrich and Ben Gvir will harm the IDF's mission to provide security and will lead to a binational state.

After four-hour filibuster:

Knesset approves 'Deri-Smotrich Law' in first reading

Knesset approves bill allowing Deri to be appointed a minister and giving Smotrich powers over the Civil Administration.

Benny Gantz: New government will have 3 Defense Ministers

Govt poised to pass law dividing authority within Defense Ministry.

Smotrich visits Rabbi Druckman: 'His condition is not good'

Finance Minister-designate calls on public to pray for recovery of Rabbi Chaim Druckman. 'He is unconscious.'

Watch: Singer Avraham Fried meets MK Bezalel Smotrich

Hasidic singer and Religious Zionist Party chief meet at Jerusalem hotel following Chabad holiday.

Security to be upgraded to protect ministers in new government

New weapons & systems needed to ensure safety of ministers from Judea & Samaria.

UAE Ambassador meets Smotrich:

'We will deepen the relationship with Israel'

MK Bezalel Smotrich meets UAE ambassador to Israel. The two discuss promoting normalization with other Arab countries.

Smotrich:

'Netanyahu fully backs dissolution of the Civil Administration'

Religious Zionism party chairman speaks of unexpected difficulties in the coalition negotiations.

Report:

Deri walks out of meeting with Netanyahu and Smotrich

Shas chairman seeks to bypass the budget department when it comes to his ministries. Smotrich objects.

Smotrich doubles down on bid to amend Law of Return

Day after Netanyahu told NBC News he doubts grandfather clause will be removed from Law of Return, Religious Zionist Party reiterates demand

Coalition agreement with Religious Zionism published in full

All government responses to High Court on settlements to require Smotrich's approval.

"On the verge of an agreement"

Further progress made between Likud, Religious Zionist parties

Likud and Religious Zionist parties say they made progress in negotiations and are close to signing an agreement.

Ben-Gvir slams Smotrich: Stop wasting time on Knesset Speaker

Otzma Yehudit chairman says Religious Zionism party counterpart making 'big mistake' in not allowing vote on next Knesset Speaker now.

This is the main disagreement between Religious Zionism & Likud

While Smotrich demands control of Civil Administration, Netanyahu worries policies will cause diplomatic conflicts with US, EU, report says.

Deal in sight?

Netanyahu to meet with Smotrich Monday as talks progress

After progress made in negotiations with Religious Zionist Party, Likud officials optimistic coalition agreement may be signed soon.

"Positive atmosphere"

Netanyahu and Smotrich meet, make progress

Likud says the meeting was held in a good atmosphere and the sides will meet again on Monday.

Poll:

Public approves of Ben Gvir's ministerial appointment

Things look different, however, for Aryeh Deri, Bezalel Smotrich and Miri Regev.

Why Smotrich is being so stubborn in coalition talks

Bezalel Smotrich is a seasoned politician. Why is he insisting on separating the Civil Administration from the Defense Ministry? Op-ed.

Report:

Compromise reached between Smotrich, Deri, and Netanyahu

Religious Zionism chair reportedly drops demand for Defense Min., will receive Finance Min. instead. Deri to receive 3 ministries.

Religious Zionism to Likud: 'We'll form a government together'

MK Bezalel Smotrich joins conference alongside Likud representatives, tells them that 'a good government will be formed in the coming days.'

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.