Bezalel Smotrich

Political attacks on Supreme Court chief cross red line, over 100 retired judges, law deans warn

The warnings followed remarks made by Religious Zionist Party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who referred to Amit as a 'violent, predatory megalomaniac who steals Israeli democracy.'

Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, November 27, 2025
REP. RANDY Fine, former gambling executive, won a special election in a deep-red district on Florida’s northeast coast.

Rep. Randy Fine’s incendiary comments on Muslims alarm many Jews, backed by pro-Israel right

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, December 23, 2025

Supreme Court President responds to threats, vows judiciary will not be intimidated

Finance Minister and Religious Zionists Party head Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 29, 2025

Smotrich: Supreme Court chief is 'violent megalomaniac,' gov’t will 'trample' court


Netanyahu's proposal to open both ways of Rafah crossing is rejected by coalition members - N12

Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions would let Palestinians who left Gaza enter again, but had to withdraw after pressure from coalition members.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025.

Smotrich threatens to double tax on Israeli banks if consumer benefits canceled

According to the Finance Ministry, the tax will bring in NIS 1.13 billion in 2026, rising to NIS 1.5 billion each year from 2027 to 2029.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025

Despite turbulent week, demand for commission of inquiry, bloc map remain stable - poll

Against the backdrop of the draft law, the establishment of a government commission of inquiry, and the interview by Eli Feldstein on the Qatargate affair, coalition parties maintain their strength.

Knesset members attend a plenum hearing, October 29, 2025; illustrative.

PMO workers involved in Qatargate 'must sit behind bars,' Smotrich says

Smotrich charged that Qatar is a state sponsor of terror, adding that Doha must be condemned for its "responsibility for what happened on October 7."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025

Smotrich urges Netanyahu to return from US ‘with de-facto sovereignty’ for West Bank

He cited settlement construction and administrative work as part of recent advances, adding that without a cabinet decision to apply sovereignty, Israel risks missing a “historic opportunity.”

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich and Mateh Binyamin Regional Council Head Israel Ganz at ceremony marking official transfer of Civil Administration service units to permanent civilian complex, December 23, 2025.

'Smotrich is taking us hostage': Small-business owners protest new VAT, customs exemptions

Protesters also warned of the economic implications of the move for local commerce, employment, and business stability in Israel, saying that the move “will be remembered in infamy."

Small-business owners protest outside the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem against the import reform and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, December 23, 2025.

Palestinian trash burning is a national security threat, ministers Katz, Smotrich declare

Reportedly, the Palestinians lack sufficient local landfills, and the arrangement is supposed to involve them using trucks to transport their trash to other locations.

 Fire at illegal trash dumping ground caused dangerous air pollution level in Binyamin region of the West Bank, on August 7, 2023.

Israel grants legal status to 19 West Bank settlements, including two vacated in 2005 disengagement

The move follows government approval on Wednesday for the construction of 764 housing units across three settlements in the West Bank.

An Israeli flag flutters, with Ma'aleh Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025.

Sa'ar announces forum with worldwide Jewish leaders to address growing antisemitism

Leaders from Jewish communities and organizations worldwide will participate in the J-50 Forum, to be held in Jerusalem from December 21 to 24.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar speaks during a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, September 15, 2025

'Writing was on the wall': Israeli politicians condemn Bondi Beach mass shooting

"Our hearts are with the community, and we stand with them," Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer said at the event honoring lone soldiers at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

A woman holds a child in a blanket after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. Australian police said two people were in custody following reports of multiple gunshots on December 14 at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach, urging the public to take shelter

Likud returns to support levels from before October 7, RZP fails to pass threshold, poll finds

Religious Zionist Party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, slid under the threshold with 2.8% support, as public divisions over the IDF draft framework and the state budget grew. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025