Bezalel Smotrich

Smotrich admits being mocked for poor English 'lowered his self-esteem,' says he has since learned

Smotrich gave the speech to the Israel Bonds organization in the United States in March 2023. After the speech, a video compilation of his English mistakes was spread on social media.

 Israeli minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich attends a Finance committee meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 13, 2025.
An illustration of the Israeli and UAE flags.

A UAE warning before October 7 and the secret talks that led to peace

Finance Minister and head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich attends RZP's primaries event ahead of the upcoming elections, in Jerusalem, July 26, 2026.

Smotrich calls for expulsion of UK ambassador after 'Post' report of planned settlement trade ban

Amcha Yisrael party chairman Ofer Winter speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, September 2, 2026.

Defying Netanyahu pressure to merge, Winter submits People of Israel's list ahead of 2026 election


'Can't kill your way out of every problem': JD Vance spars with Ben-Gvir, Smotrich over Iran deal

'What is your exact proposal?' Vance asked in an interview with the New York Times • 'Can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have,' US VP says

US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 18, 2026

Iran deal turns into global loyalty test as tension builds between Trump and Israel - analysis

Trump remains popular, powerful, and rhetorically committed to Israel’s survival. But his support now comes with public scolding, transactional accounting, and an unmistakable demand from Netanyahu.

US President Donald Trump, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, holds a press conference during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026.

Smotrich claims historic Hebron shift as Israel advances new building plans

This is the first approval of its kind since the signing of the Hebron Agreement in 1997, under which restrictions related to the Jewish community were subject to approval by the Hebron municipality.

AN AERIAL view shows the Cave of the Patriarchs, a site sacred to Jews and Muslims, in the city of Hebron, November 2, 2020.

Foreign Ministry denies annulment of Hebron Agreement, contradicting Smotrich's announcement

Under the 1997 Hebron Agreement, the Hebron Municipality oversaw planning and construction across the city, including the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the adjoining Ibrahimi Mosque.

The Ibrahimi mosque or the Tomb of the Patriarchs, in the West Bank city of Hebron, July 3, 2024.

New Karnei Shomron roof plan to add 6,000 homes, public infrastructure

Officials said the agreement could triple Karnei Shomron’s population, marking the first roof plan of its kind in the West Bank.

(left to right) Sagi Hadaril, Yehuda Eliyahu, Yonatan Kuznitz, Bezalel Smotrich, and Haim Katz. June 14, 2026.

'A missile for every drone': Israeli ministers call to intensify attacks on Hezbollah in Dahiyeh

"I call on him to implement it with determination and force and to demolish buildings in Dahiyeh today as well," said Smotrich. "We promised security to the residents of the north."

A man in a wheelchair passes by as emergency personnel work at the site of an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, June 7, 2026.

Palestinian shot after allegedly threatening farmer in West Bank settlement - report

According to the farm's owners, the Palestinian trespassed onto their property and attempted to attack the resident when the farmer approached him to investigate the situation. 

A shepherd leads a herd of goats near the Palestinian village of al-Auja in the Jordan Valley, West Bank, January 11, 2026.

Grapevine, June 12, 2026: Israel is losing brownie points

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

MAOZ INON

Netanyahu vows to restore security in northern Israel as gov't approves NIS 4 b. to help North

The decision comes as leaders of northern local authorities have sharply criticized the government for failing to provide adequate support and aid to residents amid the ongoing security threat.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs at government meeting in Nof Hagalil approving a plan to develop North, Thursday June 11, 2026.

Israel set to approve funding plan for 61 West Bank settlements - report

Axios's Barak Ravid reported on X/Twitter that the proposal is scheduled to be brought before the cabinet for approval. Additional details about the plan were not immediately available.

View of the settlement of Sa-Nur in the West Bank, April 19, 2026.