Bezalel Smotrich

Bezalel Smotrich is a far-right Israeli lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, who currently serves as the country's finance minister as well as a minister in the Defense Ministry. In the past, Smotrich also served as transportation minister.

Smotrich is a highly divisive figure in Israeli politics, having been accused of racism, extremism, and homophobia. Smotrich has also gone on record saying that he is a "proud homophobe," staunch support for Israel's West Bank settlements, and rejects both the future existence of a Palestinian state as well as the existence of the Palestinian people.

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 Demonstrators protest for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv

Hamas signals it will release three hostages, Israel vows maximum pressure

IDF increases reservists, special forces near Gaza, but mostly holding fire • Family of Gaza hostage Eitan Mor receives sign of life

National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz holds a faction meeting in the Knesset, December 9, 2024

Benny Gantz: 'If there is no release of hostages - there is no reason for a ceasefire'

He added that everyone must be returned, especially given that it is impossible to guarantee that those alive today will still be alive tomorrow.

Smotrich vows 5% Gaza annexation for every harmed hostage

“There is currently a debate about whether the war can be stopped. The war cannot be stopped just before the complete destruction of Hamas," Smotrich said.

Netanyahu doubles down on war policy, Trump's Gaza plan in speech to Knesset

Netanyahu canceled his testimony to the trial against him in order to give the speech, which was reportedly unplanned.

MK Kahana: Israel must complete hostage deal, time to defeat Hamas will come

“Our commitment to them is infinite,” he stated. “We will still have time to defeat Hamas; we are destined to live by the sword, and the war will last for years.”

By WALLA!
10/02/2025

Smotrich condemns comparisons of hostage suffering to Holocaust

"The suffering of our hostages in Hamas' brutal captivity is heartbreaking," he said. "But comparisons to the Holocaust are a grave mistake."

Trump's chess game: Is the US president making an irrefusable offer?

It isn't worth analyzing the plausibility of US President Donald Trump's bombastic statements, but what is clear is the message being sent to Israel's far Right.

05/02/2025

Smotrich: Haredim must join IDF, but must be ‘respected for who they are’

Smotrich said that the fact that the haredim did not serve in the IDF was “painful,” however he cannot act on those feelings as a public servant.

The continuation of the hostage deal depends on Netanyahu's relationship with Trump

Ultimately, the hostage deal will remain a fragile balancing act. Its continuation depends on Netanyahu’s ability to manage not just his coalition but also his relationship with Trump.

31/01/2025
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