Bezalel Smotrich
Gov’t approves Smotrich ally Israel Malachi as Finance Ministry director-general
He is a close associate of Smotrich, which led to criticism over the appointment. Malachi also had previously served as the treasurer of a council governing over 40 West Bank settlements.
Compensation to be given to employers of reserve soldiers, Knesset plenum decides
Netanyahu attacks Bennett, Lapid's joint party list announcement with inflammatory video
Bennett doubles down on mandatory haredi enlistment, blames current gov't for lack of IDF soldiers
Despite Israeli demands, Bank of Palestine refuses to shut down pay-for-slay accounts - exclusive
The bank had agreed to close 1,700 accounts in the West Bank and Gaza, but now claimed it was “unable to act.” The prevailing assessment is that senior PA officials instructed the bank not to comply.
Israel’s milk shortage shows how policy fights end up hurting the public - editorial
Milk rationing did not happen by accident. Protest tactics, rigid regulation, and stalled reform collided, leaving families paying the price for political and policy failure.
Farmers journey to Jerusalem to protest Smotrich's dairy reform after resuming milk supply
The protest comes after farmers resumed milk supply to dairies on Wednesday morning. They had halted the supply throughout Tuesday, leading to milk shortages.
Farmers halt milk supply in protest of Smotrich’s dairy industry reform
Numerous supermarkets across the country posted signs limiting the number of milk cartons each shopper could purchase as shelves ran low.
Glass half-empty: How milk prices keep rising despite advanced Israeli innovation - analysis
High milk prices in Israel are sparking a new debate over the country's farming regulations and its dependence on foreign imports.
Israeli supermarket chains limit customers' milk purchases amid halt to dairy supply
The reason for the sudden change in the food market came amid fears based on a farmer's protest wave against the dairy market reform promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
IDF officials warn ICJ genocide case poses greater risk than ICC
Military officials say the ICJ genocide case worries them more than the ICC, as Israel prepares a major response ahead of a March deadline.
Northern Israeli moshav head decries 'performative' cabinet meeting in Kiryat Shmona
Davidi said the ministers’ arrival in the north, more than two years after the war began, amounts to “a certificate of poverty” for the government.
Outcome of state budget vote uncertain amid coalition crisis over haredi draft
By law, if the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.
2026 budget reading puts government at risk, after months of ideological sparring - analysis
If the vote is postponed, or if the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties choose not to support it and it falls, then for all intents and purposes the government will fall with it.
