Nir Barkat

'Chutzpan': Netanyahu removes Smotrich, Amsalem from cabinet meeting after shouting match

The clash intensified when Smotrich said, “Who are you anyway? Why are you interfering?" and Amsalem replied, “You’re not speaking politely, don’t call me chutzpan.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.
Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat unveiling his "Israel Basket" project, January 4, 2026.

Economy Minister Barkat sues Channel 12 for NIS 12m. in largest libel lawsuit ever filed in Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025.

Netanyahu secures overwhelming Likud support, internal poll shows

Unveiling of the new F-35 during a rollout ceremony of F-35 fighter jets ordered by Finland at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, US December 16, 2025.

Pentagon watchdog criticizes Lockheed Martin for US F-35 maintenance failures - Bloomberg


Local sheikhs aren’t the answer to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - opinion

That route will not bring peace, but likely violence. It will pit clans against clans and Palestinians against one another. In the fog of violence, Jews will be killed.

 BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer greets PA Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at 10 Downing Street in April. The PA remains the least bad option in a region where that is often the best you can hope for, says the writer.

No shortage of dairy products, no need to hoard food - Economy Minister Barkat

"This morning, I visited the Tnuva dairy factory in Rehovot and saw normal stock levels, ongoing production, and dedicated workers who are going to work in a complex security situation."

Economy Minister Nir Barkat visits a Tnuva dairy.

Current situation could lead to firings, economy must be opened - business leaders head

"The Israeli economy is strong but needs certainty, backup, and conditions that will allow it to continue to function even in emergency."

 Israeli security and rescue forces at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Tel Aviv, June 16, 2025.

Editor's Notes: Palestinian clans are looking to join Abraham Accords after Oct. 7 - comment

After October 7, some Palestinian clans are considering entering the Abraham Accords and changing the face of the Middle East.

 JERUSALEM POST Editor-in-Chief Zvika Klein speaks with Economy Minister Nir Barkat at the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Israeli Economics Minister Nir Barkat sign economic partnership

"As long as I am mayor of this city, we will be invested in Israel," Adams said at the conference.

 NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Israeli Minister Nir Barkat sign economic partnership at The Jerusalem Post's Annual Conference in New York, US, May 19, 2025'

Economy Minister Barkat urges Qatar's removal as mediator over Hamas ties

Economy Minister Nir Barkat called Qatar a terror-supporting state backing Hamas and urged its removal as a mediator.

 Economy Minister Nir Barkat speaks the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, 2025.

Israel favors upgrading US free trade deal, economy minister says

Israel seeks to update its free trade deal with the US amid Donald Trump's sweeping new global tariffs.

Ashdod Port

Nir Barkat urges Israel to declare Qatar a terror-supporting nation

Economy Minister Nir Barkat accused Qatar of being the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and called for Israel to take legislative action declaring it a terror-supporting state.

Nir Barakat accused Qatar of being the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and called on Israel to take legislative action declaring it a terror-supporting state

Israel removes all remaining tariffs on US imports

Israel and the US signed a free trade agreement in 1985, and some 98% of goods are tax-free.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

Nir Barkat apologizes for comments over freed hostage Eli Sharabi's testimony

Asked on Saturday whether he had watched Sharabi's testimony on Channel 12's Uvda, Barkat said "I had more important things to do."

 Economy Minister Nir Barkat speaks during a press conference at his office in Tel Aviv, March 12, 2024.