Finance Ministry

Business owners protest at Knesset as Smotrich raises Israel's import tax exemption

The government approved Smotrich's order on Sunday and is expected to be finalized through a vote in the Knesset plenum on Monday evening.

Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025

Smotrich doubles down on refusal to enlist daughter, claims IDF is 'no place for women'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (RZP) speaks at a Religious Zionist Party press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 16, 2026.

Finance Minister Smotrich says he won't educate his daughter to enlist in the IDF

Passengers at the Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv on September 18, 2025.

Israel to build new international airport in Negev, PMO announces


Israel to launch platform for securing cross-government research

The project, called RAKMA, is designed to solve a problem that has long limited government research

 An illustrative image of an Israeli using security programs on a computer.

IDF moves to quell reservist backlash over service cuts tied to post-war budget deal

Broadly speaking, the changes surround the agreement between the IDF and the Finance Ministry to reduce the number of standing reservists on duty on any given day from 60,000 to 40,000.

Reservists train during a battalion wide exercise in the Golan Heights.

Thousands of shekels deducted from reservists' salaries in 2025, Knesset panel discusses

The discussion was convened after reservists said the deductions were made following the implementation of a new salary mechanism in May 2025.

 IDF reservists joining the "David Brigades," the five new reservist brigades announced by IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, December 17, 2024.

Netanyahu convenes emergency meeting as haredi parties threaten to block state budget vote

Both haredi parties have threatened to withhold support for the state budget unless agreements are reached on the draft law to avoid conscription.

 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as lawmakers gather at the Knesset plenum to vote on a bill that would limit some Supreme Court power, in Jerusalem July 24, 2023.

Israel’s debt-to-GDP ratio rose to 68.6% in 2025 due to war, rebuilding expenses - Finance Min.

"The upward trend in the debt-to-GDP ratio stems from the security spending required following the war," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich attend a discussion and a vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 7, 2024.

State budget offers 'no good news,' will likely pass Knesset vote, says MK Beliak - interview

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.

MK VLADIMIR Beliak attends a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on December 31, 2025.

Government submits 2026 budget to Knesset, Smotrich vows passage despite rifts

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the government was "determined to pass it [the state budget] on first reading,” during a press conference at the Knesset on Monday.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after a press conference at the ministry, December 4, 2025; illustrative.

Knesset legal advisor demands Finance Ministry probe into unauthorized fund transfers

The demand was made following a High Court of Justice hearing on petitions challenging the government’s transfer of more than NIS 1 billion in earmarked funds to haredi schools.

Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, December 1, 2025.

Israel completes $6 billion public offering, returns to pre-war spread levels

The offering included three series of bonds with terms of five, 10, and 30 years, with spreads of 90, 100, and 125 basis points above comparable US Treasury yields.

New Israeli Shekel bills are seen in front of an upwards-trending graph (illustration)

Smotrich threatens to double tax on Israeli banks if consumer benefits canceled

According to the Finance Ministry, the tax will bring in NIS 1.13 billion in 2026, rising to NIS 1.5 billion each year from 2027 to 2029.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025