Bezalel Smotrich is a far-right Israeli lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, who currently serves as the country's finance minister as well as a minister in the Defense Ministry. In the past, Smotrich also served as transportation minister.
Smotrich is a highly divisive figure in Israeli politics, having been accused of racism, extremism, and homophobia. Smotrich has also gone on record saying that he is a "proud homophobe," staunch support for Israel's West Bank settlements, and rejects both the future existence of a Palestinian state as well as the existence of the Palestinian people.
Coalition funds are a part of the national budget aimed at enabling the implementation of political agreements.
After years of complex negotiations, Israel's port reform enters its final phase today as transport and finance ministers sign certification documents.
A new study conducted by the Lazar Research Institute shows a new perspective on the division of opinion in the religious and ultra-Orthodox community in Israel.
In response to the controversy, Lapid stated, "It's a shame I didn't see such outrage when Orit Strock said that we should give up on the hostages and abandon them to die."
The vote over coalition funds has been delayed.
The process of stripping the military of its powers in the West Bank and shifting control over to civilian bodies under Bezalel Smotrich’s leadership is almost complete.
The Bank of Israel’s economic forecast does sound too good to be true. A lot of things could derail it. Here are several causes for concern.
"We will not agree to any further delay in passing the budget. The budget will not be held hostage by the legislation of the [haredi] conscription law,” Smotrich said.
Netanyahu will meet with Defense Ministry officials on Saturday night to review the prisoner release and hostage deal.
Kibbutz Nir Oz calls for "release not revenge"; Finance Minister Smotrich calls for Hamas’s annihilation; Aryeh Deri calls to strike Hamas with "an iron fist."
JPOST Digital Library
