Bezalel Smotrich
Israel's leaders reignite the fight over faith, service, and statehood as early elections emerge
Smotrich, Liberman, Gantz, Lapid, and Golan laid out competing visions for Israel’s future as fiscal and political strains fuel talk of elections early next year.
Ohana: Knesset budget to be cut by NIS 125m. following two years of intense war with Hamas
Hostage forum demands meeting with Netanyahu after Hamas 'violations'
Smotrich claims Saudi Arabia denies Israeli tradition and heritage, doubling down on Riyadh row
Camel criticism crisis: Smotrich's comments harm Israel, not Saudi Arabia - opinion
The comments are heard in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Washington, and they shape how Israel is perceived by its current and potential partners in building a more stable and prosperous regional order.
Liberman: Netanyahu shouted so loudly after Smotrich's camel remark they nearly called a doctor
Liberman said Netanyahu erupted at Smotrich over his camel remark, fearing it would harm efforts to reach a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.
'He does not represent us': Israeli politicians slam Smotrich after Saudi insult
"To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel," Opposition head Yair Lapid wrote in Arabic on X/Twitter.
Smotrich tells Saudis to 'keep riding camels' over Palestinian state, later apologizes
“If Saudi Arabia says normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the sands of the desert in Saudi Arabia," Smotrich said.
Netanyahu urged Smotrich to hold off on West Bank annexation during Vance’s visit - KAN
"When the vice president, Vance, is visiting here, you don’t stick a finger in his eye,” Netanyahu's office reportedly said in a message to Smotrich.
'On the way to sovereignty': MKs react to preliminary passing of bill to annex Ma'aleh Adumim
The Knesset passed a preliminary vote to apply Israeli sovereignty in Ma’aleh Adumim, prompting praise from right-wing MKs and criticism from Washington, which warned it could threaten the Gaza deal.
Gov't considers subsidizing flights between Israel and Argentina
Israel’s Finance Ministry plans to invite airlines to bid on launching a direct route to Argentina, exploring whether government support could make the long-haul flight economically viable.
Coalition rises as Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold following hostage deal - poll
The coalition’s rise is surprising, as last week’s poll showed Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s parties falling sharply due to their opposition to the Trump Peace Plan.
Ben-Gvir to Netanyahu: Give Hamas an ultimatum if it continues to delay hostage return
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, "Only military pressure brings back hostages."
Israel-Hamas ceasefire now in effect, Justice Ministry publishes list of terrorists to be released
Merz says Germany to give 29 million euros in Gaza humanitarian aid • US to establish coordination center on Gaza in Israel • IDF announces name of fallen soldier
Likud Minister Miki Zohar: Hostage deal to pass despite Ben-Gvir, Smotrich - exclusive
Zohar expressed his full support for Donald Trump's hostage-ceasefire deal ahead of Israel's security cabinet vote.