Bezalel Smotrich

Knesset panel advances bill to expand rabbinical courts’ power over civil matters

Critics have warned of the bill's democratic implications, including those involving women's rights, which may deepen the rift between the haredi and secular communities.

THE RABBINICAL Court’s Division for Agunot in Jerusalem.
 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir during a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on November 10, 2025.

Israel should enact the Ben-Gvir death penalty law - opinion

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich speaks during a vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 28, 2026.

'Are we to blame that you murder one another?' Smotrich clashes with Ra’am over Arab crime spike

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.

Smotrich, Netanyahu quarrel over law banning release of senior terrorists during exchange deals


Israel’s milk shortage shows how policy fights end up hurting the public - editorial

Milk rationing did not happen by accident. Protest tactics, rigid regulation, and stalled reform collided, leaving families paying the price for political and policy failure.

Israel faces milk store stock shortage as dairy farmers halt milk deliveries. Febuary 2, 2026

Farmers journey to Jerusalem to protest Smotrich's dairy reform after resuming milk supply

The protest comes after farmers resumed milk supply to dairies on Wednesday morning. They had halted the supply throughout Tuesday, leading to milk shortages.

 Farmers block Route 1 leading to Jerusalem during a protest against a milk reform promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, February 4, 2026.

Farmers halt milk supply in protest of Smotrich’s dairy industry reform

Numerous supermarkets across the country posted signs limiting the number of milk cartons each shopper could purchase as shelves ran low.

Israel faces milk store stock shortage as dairy farmers halt milk deliveries. Febuary 2, 2026

Glass half-empty: How milk prices keep rising despite advanced Israeli innovation - analysis

High milk prices in Israel are sparking a new debate over the country's farming regulations and its dependence on foreign imports.

Israel faces milk store stock shortage as dairy farmers halt milk deliveries. Febuary 2, 2026

Israeli supermarket chains limit customers' milk purchases amid halt to dairy supply

The reason for the sudden change in the food market came amid fears based on a farmer's protest wave against the dairy market reform promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Israel faces milk store stock shortage as dairy farmers halt milk deliveries. Febuary 2, 2026

IDF officials warn ICJ genocide case poses greater risk than ICC

Military officials say the ICJ genocide case worries them more than the ICC, as Israel prepares a major response ahead of a March deadline.

 Judges are seen at the International Court of Justice before the issue of a verdict in the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav who was sentenced to death by Pakistan in 2017, in The Hague, Netherlands July 17, 2019

Northern Israeli moshav head decries 'performative' cabinet meeting in Kiryat Shmona

Davidi said the ministers’ arrival in the north, more than two years after the war began, amounts to “a certificate of poverty” for the government.

Residents of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona check missile attack damages at the city's Central Bus Station and Mall, Kiryat Shmona, Northern Israel on November 27, 2024.

Outcome of state budget vote uncertain amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

By law, if the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025

2026 budget reading puts government at risk, after months of ideological sparring - analysis

If the vote is postponed, or if the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties choose not to support it and it falls, then for all intents and purposes the government will fall with it.

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

'Hero of Kibbutz Alumim': Israel reacts to news of final hostage Ran Gvili's return

Leaders across Israel paid tribute as the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili were brought home, closing the chapter of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Itzik Gvili, father of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, places his hands on the coffin containing his son's remains, January 26, 2026.