Bezalel Smotrich

Bank of Israel lowers interest rate to 3.5% in response to strong shekel, halt in war with Iran

The Bank of Israel Monetary Committee, headed by Amir Yaron, announced that the national interest rate will be lowered once again to 3.5% as inflation declines and the shekel remains strong.

  New Israeli Shekel banknotes and coins are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021.
 The High Court of Justice in Jerusalem

High Court proposes canceling Eliyahu’s Israel Land Authority appointment

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter speaks during a signing ceremony hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (out of frame) at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, on June 26, 2026.

Lebanon deal focused on dismantling Hezbollah, not Israeli withdrawal, ambassador Leiter says

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, Israeli soldiers and Israeli veterans and disabled IDF soldiers seen during a march honoring IDF wounded and disabled IDF, in Tel Aviv, November 17, 2021.

IDF Disabled Veterans Organization warns of 'national disaster' amid exclusion in defense budget


Knesset Finance Committee approves Israel’s 2026 state budget ahead of final reading

The decision followed debates in the committee that went late into the night. The second and third readings are expected to take place in the Knesset plenum on Thursday.

Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, during the war with Iran and Hezbollah, March 15, 2026.

Smotrich proposes new education guidelines: vacation now, study in the summer

Smotrich’s proposed calendar would have schools shift some of their summer vacation days to the month ahead, with the missed learning being made up over summer break. 

Zoom school, March 12: ‘For young children, parents, and university stu dents, people are juggling many roles.’

Gov’t must reimburse parents for closed daycare costs during war, Haskel tells ‘Post’ - interview

Haskel argues that the system is failing, with private daycare costing parents thousands of shekels a month, and even more for families with multiple young children.

Deputy Minister MK Sharren Haskel attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, December 2, 2025.

Knesset advances bill granting five-year tax exemption to olim, returning residents

Olim, along with returning residents who have lived abroad for at least ten years, will be eligible for the tax exemption.

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 23, 2026.

Daughter of National Missions Minister Orit Strock found dead, police investigate case

The circumstances surrounding Shoshana’s death remain unclear.  She was reportedly found dead in her home in northern Israel. Police have opened an investigation into the case.

National Missions Minister Orit Strock seen at a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

As political pressure mounts, Netanyahu delays controversial haredi draft law - opinion

The Netanyahu coalition has delayed the haredi draft bill, revealing political strategy over genuine reform as elections near.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, central Israel, April 28, 2025

Israel brief to ICJ rejecting genocide claims likely delayed by Iran war

The ICJ had given Israel several extensions over the last year to file the brief, with the most recent extension being until March 12.

 Judges arrive at the International Court of Justice at the start of a hearing where South Africa requests new emergency measures over Israel's attacks on Rafah, as part of an ongoing case South Africa filed at the ICJ in December last year, The Hague, Netherlands May 17, 2024.

Israel's political Right celebrates Sde Teiman case dismissal as rights groups condemn it

It is important to understand that the defendants were not exonerated, and the indictments were dropped on the basis of ‘Haganah min hatzedek’ - when one’s right to a fair trial has been violated.

 Demonstrates protest against the detention of Israeli reserve soldiers suspected of assaulting a Hamas terrorist, at the Sde Teiman military base near Beersheba, July 29, 2024.

Bank of Israel warns budget could worsen deficit, debt ratio

The cabinet decided to increase the defense budget for this year by NIS 32 billion and allocate an additional reserve of about NIS 13 billion for defense and civilian needs

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.

Gov't approves new defense budget during war, NIS 5b. allocation to haredim, settlements

Coalition funds are part of the national budget and are determined during coalition negotiations after elections when forming a government.

Prime Minister Benjamin convenes a government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, October 26, 2025.