Бецалель Смотрич

The IDF Central Command has approved the jurisdictional area for the new Mevo'ot Lachish industrial park in Gush Etzion. Spearheaded by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the 3,039-dunam project aims to boost local revenues and reinforce regional security near the seam line.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara clarified that restrictions on political appointments and major decisions apply throughout the transition period until a new government is formed.

Israel declares 2,615 dunams in western Binyamin as state land to expand the Kerem Reim and Nehaliel communities, enabling thousands of new housing units.

Fuel prices in Israel will rise to 7.85 NIS per liter at midnight as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reduces tax relief. Meanwhile, planning authorities approved master plan updates to expand fast EV charging at gas stations.

A digital insurance platform co-owned by senior finance official Mehran Frozanfar has collapsed with 1 million NIS in losses, prompting his partners to seek a court-ordered buyout.

Yehuda Eliyahu's tenure as acting director of the Israel Land Authority has been extended by three months following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intervention, as a permanent appointment remains delayed amid political tensions.

Federation of Chambers of Commerce head Shahar Turgeman criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over his failed push to raise VAT exemptions on foreign imports, citing political motives. Smotrich's associates fired back, labeling Turgeman a monopolist harming consumers.

November 2026 brings economic changes in Israel, including fluctuating fuel prices, discounted passport fees, major global and local shopping events, upcoming inflation data, and a Bank of Israel interest rate decision.

An Israeli television anchor apologized after a news segment on bereaved Knesset members omitted politicians Moshe Feiglin and Bezalel Smotrich. The oversight sparked public backlash on social media.

Political paralysis in Israel following elections has dashed Washington hopes of resetting US-Israeli relations under Benjamin Netanyahu. US officials note growing fatigue with the Israeli leader as coalition uncertainty persists.

Israeli gasoline prices will rise to about 8.30 NIS per liter from Saturday midnight, driven by global oil trends. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is expected to extend the temporary tax cut to prevent a steeper surge.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to secure the right-wing bloc, while some ultra-Orthodox leaders reportedly declined initial outreach.

Despite the trauma of October 7 and prolonged wartime displacement, voters in Sderot, Kiryat Shmona, and Shlomi maintained strong electoral support for Likud and the right-wing bloc.

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman fell short in his home settlement of Nokdim, where Religious Zionism secured first place with 41.5% of the vote.

As election results emerge, political maneuvering for key ministries intensifies. Contenders vie for the Ministry of Finance and Housing amid coalition uncertainties.

A Religious Zionism party conference in Jerusalem drew sparse attendance ahead of poll results, with activists and lawmakers absent from the venue.

Exit polls project that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party will secure five mandates, falling short of previous results and reinforcing the political curse historically faced by treasury chiefs.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held emergency talks on Tuesday to mobilize right-wing voters amid high turnout rates.

Voter turnout in Israel reached 16.68% by 10:00 AM, surpassing figures from the 2022 elections. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged citizens to avoid voting for fringe parties.

MK Matan Kahana announced that the Yashar! party is in contact with potential Likud defectors, highlighting potential coalition vulnerabilities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich agreed to expand the state budget for defense funding immediately after the elections.

Likud and Religious Zionism are deploying thousands of Jewish monitors to 1,100 polling stations in Arab towns for tomorrow's elections, raising political tensions.

Ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections, economic experts analyze how political parties plan to finance their campaign promises amid soaring defense spending and national budget deficits.

Foreign investors closely monitor Israel's elections, with JPMorgan warning of a 3% shekel fluctuation depending on whether the opposition or Benjamin Netanyahu wins.

Israeli political parties are making final preparations for election day, deploying thousands of activists across the country to mobilize voters, combat apathy, and secure crucial mandates.

Israel faces imminent price hikes in fuel, electricity, water, and public transport as temporary government subsidies expire. Accumulated costs threaten to drive inflation and increase the cost of living.

American billionaire Bill Ackman called for a broad Israeli government without far-right ministers to advance regional ties. US officials also debate coalition changes to facilitate normalization with Saudi Arabia.

Israeli political parties have outlined their primary legislative agendas and ministerial demands ahead of elections, focusing on economic reforms, military service equity, and monopolies.

Central Election Committee Chairman Noam Solberg ruled that an AI-generated satirical football video featuring Israeli politicians does not require mandatory digital labeling, dismissing a petition.

American billionaire Bill Ackman criticized Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, stating their actions harm Israel's global image and a government without them would rebuild international credibility.

Ofer Winter faces mounting pressure to withdraw from the Knesset race, hindered by millions in campaign debts, while Prime Minister Netanyahu and Rabbi Eli Sadan weigh in.

United Torah Judaism Chairman MK Yaakov Asher sharply criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ahead of the Knesset elections, accusing him of arrogance and ungratefulness.

Moshe Feiglin, running on the Religious Zionism list, outlined his platform at an election conference, detailing positions on state-religion relations, Supreme Court reform, and national security.

IDF imposed a blockade on Hebron and launched a counter-terror operation following a deadly shooting at Yehuda Junction that killed two soldiers and wounded three others.

Billionaire Ronald Lauder breaks decades of silence in a new interview, detailing his past friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleged financial requests, and sharp criticism of Israel's current government.

Netali Shem Tov of the Amcha Yisrael party dismissed political pressure and alleged offers from Bezalel Smotrich, vowing to stand firm on the military draft law ahead of the upcoming elections.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed that Itamar Ben Gvir previously agreed to sit with Ra'am and stated he does not rule out a government with Gadi Eisenkot.

Channel 14 host Shimon Riklin is premiering his new documentary "Lords of the Land," focusing on the strategic shift toward pastoral farming and outposts in the West Bank.

The Religious Zionism party has outlined its ministerial demands ahead of the October 2026 Knesset elections, targeting key portfolios including finance and education.

Likud intensified its attacks on Amcha Yisrael leader Ofer Winter after he questioned his initial pledge to back Benjamin Netanyahu, as pressure mounts for him to withdraw from the race.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich offered Ofer Winter a ministerial post and key authorities in exchange for dropping out of the Knesset race to protect the right-wing block.

Senior Likud members debate whether to help Ofer Winter cross the electoral threshold as Prime Minister Netanyahu faces pressure over the right-wing bloc's majority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan to prevent right-wing votes from being wasted on small parties like Amcha Yisrael.

The Israel Tax Authority advances new guidelines for foreign tech companies, setting a 13% profitability benchmark under the cost-plus model while offering regulatory certainty.

Highway 437 expansion from Pisgat Ze'ev to Sha'ar Binyamin is accelerated, opening in early 2028. The 400 million shekel project aims to ease congestion toward Jerusalem.

Israel has declared 183 additional dunams as state land in Gush Etzion for the Pnei Kedem and Bar Kochba communities, aiming to secure infrastructure and housing plans.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband warned companies against participating in the E1 housing tender between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, threatening sanctions and legal consequences over settlement expansion plans.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara reports to the High Court that the government has failed to revoke property tax and public transit subsidies for ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, defying court orders.

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi demanded party leaders commit to dismantling Hamas and securing Gaza, while envelope mayors protested proposed state budget cuts to regional rehabilitation.

With nine days until Israel's elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies battle for mandates while preparing for coalition talks amid shifting polls and internal coalition friction.