Bezalel Smotrich

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.

"Don't interfere in our elections"

Smotrich's message to Biden, and the request to Netanyahu

Smotrich at conference in Sderot: I am not ready to accept the interference of foreign countries in Israeli elections and democracy.

Religious Zionism Party:

'It's us or Gantz'

Smotrich's party warns that if they do not win more seats than Gantz's party, Netanyahu will prefer Gantz and leave them on the outside.

Smotrich:

‘Lapid is whitewashing the Joint List so he can stay as PM’

Religious Zionism Party chair Bezalel Smotrich blasts Lapid at Sderot conference in Be'er Sheva.

Smotrich:

'When I'm Defense Min. I'll appoint many religious generals'

Religious Zionism party chairman responds to PM Lapid's claims he threatens women's rights: 'In another week you'll incite from the bench.'

Op-ed:

Who leaked the Smotrich recording? Does it matter?

Are there honest politics? Religious Zionism/Otzma Yehudit's rise was achieved, not by dirty politics, but by principled positions. Op-ed.

Smotrich apologizes for calling Netanyahu a 'liar'

Religious Zionism party chairman says he 'learned a lesson' after old recording of him blasting the Likud chairman leaked.

Why Religious Zionists should vote for Smotrich

For decades, religious Zionist voters in Israel had a clear choice on Election Day.

'Bibi is a liar'

Smotrich blasts Netanyahu in tape-recorded comments

In a recording released Sunday the Religious Zionism chair sheds light on the former prime minister's attempt to form government with Arabs

Eizenkot:

'Smotrich as Defense Minister would lead us to chaos'

Former Chief of Staff, number 3 on National Unity slate: A Prime Minister needs a broad base of legitimacy, 12 seats aren't enough.

Defense Minister Smotrich? Gantz bursts into laughter on radio

Benny Gantz laughs off possibility of Religious Zionist Party chief replacing him as Defense Minister.

Elections 2022:

Smotrich aims high: Defense, finance, transportation, justice

Smotrich fears that Netanyahu will try to form a government with Gantz and leave the Religious Zionist party in the opposition.

Netanyahu's promise to the Religious Zionism party

Opposition leader MK Netanyahu speaks with Religious Zionism's MKs Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, asking they bring votes from outside the bloc.

MK Smotrich:

We will build a specified program for Diaspora Jews

The Religious Zionism chair met with the head of a program for overseas yeshiva students and discussed the challenges facing Jews overseas.

Jerusalem is burning:

'Shoot anyone who picks up a rock, firebomb or a weapon'

Netanyahu: This is the result of a weak government on all fronts.

'Bennett's voter base has become a stronghold for Ben-Gvir'

'Fascinating changes are coming over the Religious Zionist community,' analyst Zvika Klein says.

Smotrich to right-wing heads:

'Don't recognize maritime agreement with Lebanon'

"Deal should give us sleepless nights; Lapid caved to Hezbollah."

Smotrich:

'Bennett and Shaked went on an irresponsible adventure'

Religious Zionism chairman: History will not forgive those who irresponsibly endanger the State of Israel.

Will Ayelet Shaked drop out of the race? 'Complete fabrication'

Religious Zionism negotiating with Ayelet Shaked to push her to drop out of race, party chief MK Smotrich says. Shaked: Complete lie.

Bezalel Smotrich:

'Gantz and Lapid leading to establishment of Palestinian state'

MK Bezalel Smotrich responds to Lapid's intention to call for the establishment of Palestinian state: A dangerous process.

MK Smotrich:

Politicians who change parties like socks can't grade me

In an extensive interview Religious Zionism chairman discusses union between Shaked and Jewish Home, talks with Noam, and more

Smotrich pushes for United Arab List to be banned this election

Religious Zionist Party head to petition Central Election Committee to bar United Arab List - a coalition faction - from running in November

Smotrich:

'Greatest threat comes from within Israeli Arab society'

Religious Zionism party chairman says next govt. must ensure political parties which support terrorism against Israel are outlawed.

MK Smotrich: 'Shaked must not take a chance and waste votes'

The Religious Zionism head also discussed his plans for the justice system, saying that he intends on making big changes

Bezalel Smotrich:

'Gantz uses religious figures as fig-leaves to disguise Leftism'

"He knows undecided Religious-Zionist voters are going to swing this election."

Netanyahu's promise:

'I won't establish a government without Itamar Ben-Gvir'

Former PM promises he won't choose Gantz over Otzma Yehudit.

A different Israel

That is what former Likud Minister Dan Meridor thinks Ben Gvir's party will create. Op-ed.