Bezalel Smotrich

IDF imposed a blockade on Hebron and launched a counter-terror operation following a deadly shooting at Yehuda Junction that killed two soldiers and wounded three others.

Billionaire Ronald Lauder breaks decades of silence in a new interview, detailing his past friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleged financial requests, and sharp criticism of Israel's current government.

Israel's public transport faces a severe shortage of 5,000 bus drivers and harsh working conditions. A new national strategic plan proposes wage floors, retention bonuses, security upgrades, and targeted recruitment to rescue the collapsing transit sector.

Netali Shem Tov of the Amcha Yisrael party dismissed political pressure and alleged offers from Bezalel Smotrich, vowing to stand firm on the military draft law ahead of the upcoming elections.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed that Itamar Ben Gvir previously agreed to sit with Ra'am and stated he does not rule out a government with Gadi Eisenkot.

Channel 14 host Shimon Riklin is premiering his new documentary "Lords of the Land," focusing on the strategic shift toward pastoral farming and outposts in the West Bank.

The Religious Zionism party has outlined its ministerial demands ahead of the October 2026 Knesset elections, targeting key portfolios including finance and education.

Likud intensified its attacks on Amcha Yisrael leader Ofer Winter after he questioned his initial pledge to back Benjamin Netanyahu, as pressure mounts for him to withdraw from the race.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich offered Ofer Winter a ministerial post and key authorities in exchange for dropping out of the Knesset race to protect the right-wing block.

Senior Likud members debate whether to help Ofer Winter cross the electoral threshold as Prime Minister Netanyahu faces pressure over the right-wing bloc's majority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan to prevent right-wing votes from being wasted on small parties like Amcha Yisrael.

The Israel Tax Authority advances new guidelines for foreign tech companies, setting a 13% profitability benchmark under the cost-plus model while offering regulatory certainty.

Highway 437 expansion from Pisgat Ze'ev to Sha'ar Binyamin is accelerated, opening in early 2028. The 400 million shekel project aims to ease congestion toward Jerusalem.

Israel has declared 183 additional dunams as state land in Gush Etzion for the Pnei Kedem and Bar Kochba communities, aiming to secure infrastructure and housing plans.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband warned companies against participating in the E1 housing tender between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, threatening sanctions and legal consequences over settlement expansion plans.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara reports to the High Court that the government has failed to revoke property tax and public transit subsidies for ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, defying court orders.

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi demanded party leaders commit to dismantling Hamas and securing Gaza, while envelope mayors protested proposed state budget cuts to regional rehabilitation.

With nine days until Israel's elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies battle for mandates while preparing for coalition talks amid shifting polls and internal coalition friction.

Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich plans to demand the finance and defense ministry portfolios in any future government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, leveraging budget control to advance his political goals.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed illegal weapons in Lod following a shooting incident, citing Shin Bet data and proposing emergency legislation and administrative detentions.

Senior Palestinian Authority officials offered to lobby for the removal of European sanctions against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in exchange for billions in frozen tax funds. Smotrich rejected the proposal.

As Israeli elections approach, coalition circles weigh steps regarding veiled women at polling stations while negotiating with Haredi parties to withdraw, amid opposition pushback.

Religious Zionism accuses Minister Amichai Eliyahu of orchestrating a smear campaign via false SMS messages against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Ministry of Health Director-General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov urged the Finance Ministry to exempt the healthcare system from a planned 3.5 billion shekel budget cut, warning of severe consequences for public services.

Housing Minister Haim Katz extended Yehuda Eliyahu's tenure as acting director of the Israel Land Authority following Prime Minister Netanyahu's intervention, bypassing legal term limits ahead of elections.

Rabbi Dov Landau harshly criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over remarks calling ultra-Orthodox Jews ungrateful to God, urging a vote for United Torah Judaism.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi responded Wednesday to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks regarding the Sinai Peninsula, stressing that Egypt defended its soil and has no territorial ambitions.

Intense talks are reportedly underway between Religious Zionism and Motti Leitner's party over a potential withdrawal, with guarantees offered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for a 2.6 billion shekel defense cut, drawing from civilian budgets amid ongoing tensions over the 2026 defense funding.

Tali Deri of the Amech Yisrael party condemned intense harassment and pressure aimed at forcing her party out of the Knesset race, following the resignation of deputy Samaria council head Davidi Ben Zion.

Over 300 experts urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to freeze Amendment 5 to National Master Plan 35, warning it threatens Negev and Galilee development.

Davidi Ben Zion, a senior candidate in Ofer Winter's "Am Yisrael" party, has resigned from the electoral list amid severe political pressure and declining poll numbers.

The Israel Land Authority faces a severe leadership crisis as interim director Yehuda Eliyahu's term expires. Legal limits block extensions, threatening housing supply.

Israel's first Democracy Festival at BIG FASHION Glilot brings together political leaders from across the spectrum for open public debates ahead of the upcoming elections.

Likud and Religious Zionism are strengthening their political alliance ahead of the upcoming elections, launching a joint field operation and vote-surplus agreement while isolating National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

The Israel Diamond Exchange and the Tax Authority signed a historic tax agreement for 2027-2028, aiming to restore Israel's global competitiveness against Antwerp and Dubai.

Zehut party leader Moshe Feiglin declared he would close the Ministry of Education and two-thirds of government portfolios if elected, sparking debate ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched the right-wing election ground campaign at a major emergency conference in Jerusalem.

Likud officials explained that Itamar Ben Gvir was excluded from a right-wing voter mobilization campaign due to a lack of rabbinical infrastructure, sparking political debate.

Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg ordered Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to remove campaign posts featuring children, ruling it violates election laws.

Senior defense officials accuse Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of sabotaging a critical Apache helicopter procurement deal, endangering national security.

Following gasoline excise cuts, the Manufacturers Association of Israel demands that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich extend the tax relief to diesel fuel.

Global oil prices surged past $101 per barrel on Wednesday due to Middle East tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and storm threats. Governments in the US and Israel weigh tax cuts to ease consumer burdens.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich are organizing a joint right-wing campaign conference, excluding Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party.

MK Yousef Jabareen announced that his party would support post-election legislation preventing indicted individuals from forming a government, aligning with opposition strategies.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for permanent sovereignty over captured territories in Gaza and Lebanon, voluntary emigration for Gazans, and renewed independence from the US.

Likud and Religious Zionism signed a surplus vote agreement three weeks before the Israeli Knesset elections, leaving Otzma Yehudit isolated while opposition parties previously finalized their alliances.

Comments by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding Sinai drew sharp reactions and threats in Egyptian media, though context shows it was a hypothetical response.

Tesla's FSD autonomous driving rollout in Israel faces regulatory delays over tax classifications, with podcaster Tamir Dortal criticizing the Ministry of Finance.

Right-wing podcaster Tamir Dortal admitted meeting a professor accused of plotting attacks against Arabs without reporting it, calling it a lapse in judgment.