Bezalel Smotrich

Tune into today's top stories: Starmer's plan, activist killed, tensions rise - July 29, 2025

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

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Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a meeting of the Knesset Lobby for the Renewal of Jewish Settlement in the Gaza Strip, held at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 22, 2025

Smotrich: Gush Katif is 'too small,' good things are about to happen in the Gaza Strip

(L-R) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir

Netherlands bans entry for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich on settlement expansion, Gaza comments

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Smotrich, Netanyahu in crisis after decision on Gaza humanitarian ceasefire


Tune into today's top stories: UN discusses two-state solution, Smotrich speaks out

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

 JPost Headlines.

'We're promoting a new strategy': Smotrich breaks silence on Netanyahu's Gaza plan

Smotrich's comments come after Prime Minister Netanyahu enabled "localized humanitarian ceasefires" in the Gaza Strip, with MK Orit Strock saying she may leave the government following the decision.

  Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, also attended by Argentine President Javier Milei (not pictured), in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025.

'A launchpad to annihilate Israel': Netanyahu slams Macron for recognizing Palestinian state

Israeli leaders issued strong condemnations following Macron's announcement that France would recognize a Palestinian state, warning that the move rewards terrorism and undermines Israel's security.

France's President Emmanuel Macron holds a press conference at the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais, Paris, Oct. 5, 2024.

'All of Gaza will be Jewish': Heritage minister claims Israel working to resettle Gaza

"The government is rushing to erase Gaza, and thank God we are erasing this evil. All of Gaza will be Jewish,” Eliyahu stated in the interview.

 Amichai Eliyahu

Smotrich: IDF chief told me Israel must annex northern Gaza for 'security purposes'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made the claim to a conference in the Knesset on Tuesday, which discussed right-wing plans to rebuild settlement blocs across the Gaza Strip.

 (From R-L) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, MK Zvi Sukkot, MK Limor Son Har-Melech, Settler activist Daniella Weiss, attend a Gaza settlement conference at the Knesset, July 22, 2025.

Fact check: Netanyahu, Smotrich's claim of $1b. Biden aid to judicial reform foes debunked

Netanyahu’s endorsement of the false claim came in the form of the sharing of a post by the Likud party from Friday afternoon.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 7, 2024

Will the Knesset recess open a window for a deal? Netanyahu’s political breathing room - analysis

The Knesset's upcoming recess will potentially give PM Benjamin Netanyahu time to broker a hostage deal and figure out a solution to the issue of the haredi draft law.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at a Knesset debate, July 14, 2025; illustrative.

There is nothing in the news that is new - opinion

I desperately hope that by the time this is published, it will all be out of date – that, happily, will be something new.

 COULD A visit to my hairdresser lift my gray mood?

Smotrich worse than secular Jews, haredi MK Gafni says

"Without Torah students, we have no existence as a Jewish people. Without Torah students, the State of Israel cannot continue," Gafni commented, referring to the haredi draft law.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with MK Moshe Gafni during a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on December 3, 2024

Slovenia to ban Smotrich, Ben-Gvir for 'genocidal statements' against Palestinians

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon announced Slovenia will become the first European Union member state to ban the two ministers from entering the country.

(L-R) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir

Israel to boost defense spending by NIS 42 b. in light of multi-front wars

The Director-General of the ministry, Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram said that this move would allow the ministry to replenish consumed stocks of weapons and ammunition. 

 An Israeli APC manoeuvres next to other military vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 16, 2025.