Bezalel Smotrich
Bezalel Yoel Smotrich is an Israeli politician and lawyer who has served as the Minister of Finance since 2022. The leader of the Religious Zionist Party, he previously served as a Knesset member for the Jewish Home and Yamina, leaving in 2023 after resigning under the Norwegian Law, allowing him to remain a minister in the government while his seat in the Knesset could be taken by another candidate from his party.
Standing...
Stories...
Sep 10, 2026
Lean Left
Finance minister overseeing settlement expansion and land confiscation in West Bank.
Smotrich's actions are seen by left as direct threat to two-state solution and rule of law.
Sep 10, 2026
Far Left
Smotrich is using the draft crisis to demand more settlement funding and tougher security measures, linking the coalition's survival to his far-right demands.
As finance minister, Smotrich embodies the apartheid policies Hadash opposes, steering state funds toward settlements and away from Arab communities, while stoking religious nationalist fervor.
Sep 9, 2026
Lean Left
Smotrich, finance minister, is advancing annexation plans and settlement expansion, especially in the West Bank.
His far-right agenda is opposed by Labor/Meretz for undermining the two-state solution and deepening occupation.
Sep 8, 2026
Far Right
Smotrich called for expelling the British ambassador over expected sanctions on Judea and Samaria.
Seen as a strong defender of sovereignty, praised for a firm response but criticized by some moderates for escalating rhetoric.
Sep 8, 2026
Center
Finance Minister attacked London's planned sanctions on settlements and called for expelling the British ambassador, while also clashing with far-right rival Zvi Sukkot over a merger.
For Yesh Atid, Smotrich's extremism on settlements and his refusal to support a unified right-wing list expose the coalition's instability and ideological radicalism.
Sep 8, 2026
Lean Left
Finance Minister using his position to fund settlements and restrict Palestinian construction, deepening the occupation.
His policies are a direct threat to the two-state solution and Israeli democracy, and Labor/Meretz see him as an engine of annexation.
Sep 8, 2026
Far Left
Finance Minister Smotrich is using his authority to divert funds to settlements and advance discriminatory land policies, including recent approval of thousands of new settler homes.
Hadash highlights Smotrich's far-right agenda as a direct attack on Palestinian existence and a driver of ethnic cleansing.
Sep 7, 2026
Lean Left
The Finance Minister is pushing for expanded settlement budgets and annexation moves, including the recent legalization of outposts in the West Bank.
For Labor and Meretz, Smotrich represents the dangerous merger of fiscal power and messianic settlement ideology, undermining any chance for a two-state solution.
Sep 7, 2026
Far Left
Finance Minister Smotrich is advancing settlement budgets and annexation moves in the West Bank, drawing international rebuke.
Hadash condemns Smotrich's expansionist agenda as a direct threat to Palestinian rights and any two-state solution.
Sep 6, 2026
Lean Left
As finance minister, pushing settlement budget expansions and using authority to restrict Palestinian movement.
Embodies the far-right colonization agenda; Labor/Meretz condemn him for diverting funds from social services to settlements.