Smotrich Aims to Retain Finance and Defense Portfolios in Future Government
Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich plans to demand the finance and defense ministry portfolios in any future government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, leveraging budget control to advance his political goals.
Bezalel Smotrich, head of Religious Zionism, intends to demand the finance portfolio and a ministerial post in the Defense Ministry if Benjamin Netanyahu forms another government. Although not a public ultimatum yet, Smotrich outlined his strategy during recent public events, explaining how holding the state budget allows him to advance his political agenda.
Speaking in Jerusalem last week, Smotrich described his dual role as combining business and pleasure. He noted that ninety percent of his time was devoted to the Ministry of Finance while ten percent went to the Defense Ministry, where he pushed significant changes in Judea and Samaria by leveraging budgetary control over the military.
Smotrich explained that controlling the state purse strings provides leverage across multiple government sectors, including education and Jewish identity initiatives. He previously delayed IDF chief of staff pensions to pressure the defense establishment into transferring administrative authorities.
