Bezalel Smotrich
![Smotrich.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=700/2024/07/02/558793f0-385c-11ef-92f9-1b32553736e2__h4000_w6000.jpg)
People in Smotrich's circle say that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made the decision to renew electricity provision to the Gaza Strip on his own.
![Bezalel Smotrich](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/07/01/3fc8e8a0-37be-11ef-92f9-1b32553736e2__h4000_w6000.jpg)
Bezalel Smotrich, Settlements
The Finance Minister also harshly criticized the release of the Shifa Hospital director.
Israel-Gaza War, Palestinian State
Informed sources say the cabinet is set to vote on a number of sanctions against the Palestinian Authority and states which recently decided to recognize a State of Palestine.
![Finance Minister Bezalel Smortrich](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/06/16/b1331e80-2bbf-11ef-b326-875a4c3cecda__h331_w650.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, Bezalel Smotrich
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also attacked the General Staff this morning regarding its decision to have a daily humanitarian pause.
![War cabinet. Illustration.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/06/13/63640bc0-299d-11ef-b326-875a4c3cecda__h331_w650.webp)
Israel-Gaza War, Politics
Following the departure of Gantz and Eizenkot from the government, a new war cabinet has been formed, comprised of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer, and Shas party chairman Deri.
![Smotrich and Netanyahu.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/06/10/57989fa0-2703-11ef-b326-875a4c3cecda__h331_w650.webp)
Israel-Gaza War, Palestinian State
Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich addressed Benny Gantz's decision to leave the national emergency government, saying that there is nothing Gantz demanded that he didn't get - except a Palestinian state.
![F-35 fighter plane.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/06/04/f07bccb0-22a8-11ef-b326-875a4c3cecda__h523_w800.jpeg)
IDF, United States
With this deal, the IDF will have 75 of one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world.
![Finance Minister Smotrich.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/22/7b9d0260-1812-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h3570_w5355.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, Norway, Ireland, Spain
The Finance Minister appealed to the Prime Minister today demanding he take a number of immediate steps in retaliation for the decision by Norway, Ireland, and Spain to recognize a Palestinian state.
![Smotrich: Either Hezbollah stops firing and retreats to the Litani - or the IDF should create a security buffer for the north](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/19/c9a57b90-15c9-11ef-ae3e-5ba489b5eb8e__h2540_w3810.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, Northern Front
The age in which residents rely on papers and promises which have nothing behind them and which ultimately blow up in our face is over."
Humanitarian Aid
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is demanding a clarification from the Prime Minister and the war cabinet about the resumption of trade between PA-controlled territories and Gaza contrary to the cabinet's decision.
![Smotrich and Erdogan](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/16/e7264590-13b8-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h331_w650.jpg)
Israel-Turkey
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is pushing for tariffs on imports from Turkey in response to Erdogan's dramatic measures against Israel.
![Bezalel Smotrich](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/13/049bfa00-110e-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h331_w650.jpg)
Memorial Day
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commemorated Memorial Day at the Ofakim cemetery and told onlookers that he takes responsibility for the events of October 7th.
![Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem, March 13, 2024.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/09/a8480ae0-0dda-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h4000_w6000.jpg)
Palestinian State
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held a meeting with local mayors in Judea and Samaria: "The danger of the Palestinian state is as tangible as it has been in years."
![Bezalel Smotrich](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/08/2cd47bf0-0d12-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h331_w650.jpg)
Bezalel Smotrich
Smotrich denied issuing an ultimatum to Netanyahu that he would attend to increased prices of living in Israel only after a ground invasion of Rafah was launched.
![Bezalel Smotrich](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/07/7d6c56d0-0c6f-11ef-ae3e-5ba489b5eb8e__h331_w650.jpg)
Bezalel Smotrich
Smotrich proposed a different way of 'cutting off oxygen to Hamas': occupation of Rafah and full possession of the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
![Bezalel Smotrich during demonstration of bereaved families](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/05/1cd3f530-0ac6-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h331_w650.jpeg)
Israel-Gaza War, Bezalel Smotrich
During a demonstration of bereaved families on behalf of the "Hope Forum," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, demanded that Netanyahu: "Take Rafah now" and not "Give in to a losing deal."
![Bezalel Smotrich](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/02/3e9d13b0-0867-11ef-ae3e-5ba489b5eb8e__h331_w650.jpg)
Bezalel Smotrich
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanked Trump after withdrawing his support for the two-state solution: "I hope and pray that more world leaders will discover the courage and integrity that Trump is showing to change his position"
![Smotrich.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/04/18/a21d18d0-fdc3-11ee-aef9-dd72173416da__h5504_w8256.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, Saudi Arabia
Smotrich: "A Palestinian state is an obstacle to peace and an existential threat to Israel."
![Netanyahu and Gantz](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/04/16/3217c910-fbeb-11ee-aef9-dd72173416da__h331_w650.png)
Survey
A new survey by Direct Polls published on Channel 14 shows that Netanyahu continues to climb opening a gap on Gantz, while Lapid remains at about 11 seats. Israelis were also asked what they thought regarding a counter-attack on Iran.
![Bezalel Smotrich.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/04/08/d98134b0-f5c5-11ee-9685-6fa808a40761__h3768_w5652.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, Simchat Torah Massacre
Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich announced the founding of a public committee to examine the aid for victims of October 7: "It is the state's obligation to see to the security of its citizens."