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Bezalel Smotrich

The latest news and top stories on Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent Israeli politician. Known for leading the Religious Zionism party, he assumed his current role in 2022, also gaining significant oversight of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He has a background in law and previously served as Minister of Transportation. His work involves economic policy, budget management and advancing settlement expansion. Key accomplishments include co-founding Regavim, an organisation focused on land use, and promoting legislative changes like parental credit points. He is a controversial figure, known for his far-right views and opposition to Palestinian statehood.

Israel

Netanyahu faces backlash over US-backed statement on Palestinian independence

The statement indicating support for a pathway to a Palestinian state infuriated Netanyahu’s conservative and ultranationalist allies.

17 Nov 2025 - 6:23AM

Israel

Israeli settlers torch West Bank mosque sparking US concern

14 Nov 2025 - 12:15AM

Israel-Gaza war

‘Insult’: Vance slams Israeli vote on West Bank annexation

23 Oct 2025 - 11:20PM

Israel

Israel advances West Bank annexation bill during J.D. Vance visit

The UN’s highest court said that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, and its settlements there are illegal.

23 Oct 2025 - 12:52AM

A boy holds a Palestinian flag during a demonstration against what Palestinians say is Israel’s confiscation of their land, as Israeli security forces stand guard, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Palestinian Authority plans for major role in post-war Gaza despite US blueprint

The Palestinian Authority seeks a pivotal role in post-war Gaza, leveraging Arab support despite Trump’s sidelining and Israeli opposition.

10 Oct 2025 - 1:20AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel and Hamas sign ceasefire and hostage deal, sparking hope for peace in Gaza

The ceasefire will take effect after ratification by Netanyahu’s government, which meets after Thursday’s security cabinet session.

9 Oct 2025 - 11:33PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump gives Hamas ‘three or four days’ for Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas is reviewing the peace proposal ‘responsibly’, but Trump warned that if Hamas does not comply, ‘it’s going to be a very sad end’.

30 Sep 2025 - 10:28PM

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Trump says he ‘will not allow’ Israel to annex West Bank after Saudi warning

The US president also held talks with Arab leaders who warned him about the grave consequences of any annexation of the territory.

26 Sep 2025 - 10:38AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s PM vows there will never be a Palestinian state: ‘this place is ours’

Israeli prime minister speaks at a signing ceremony for a major settlement project in the occupied West Bank.

12 Sep 2025 - 12:51PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s annexation plans fuel fears of Palestinians’ annihilation

What is happening in Gaza is tantamount to ‘the final solution’, an academic says, as Israel also plans to annex most of the West Bank.

6 Sep 2025 - 4:00PM

Palestinian children wait to receive food from a charity kitchen in Gaza City on Wednesday. Photo: APA Images/Zuma Press Wire/dpa

Israel

UAE says Israeli annexation of West Bank ‘red line’ for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s warning is its strongest criticism of Israel since the start of the Gaza war, and raises concerns about the Abraham Accords.

3 Sep 2025 - 8:54PM

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a woman hold a map that shows the long-frozen E1 settlement scheme, that would split East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Thousands of reservists report for duty as Israel begins new Gaza offensive

The call-up comes after the Israeli military chief warned that the offensive would endanger hostages and put further strain on the army.

2 Sep 2025 - 6:29PM

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu demands Gaza City is taken faster than planned

The ‘timeline for conquering the last terrorist strongholds and defeating Hamas’ should be shortened, Netanyahu’s office said.

21 Aug 2025 - 8:39AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest in capital, calling for an end to Gaza war

The renewed energy of the protest movement came with the recent government decision to seize Gaza City and nearby camps in a new offensive.

18 Aug 2025 - 8:19AM

Israel

Outrage as Israel moves to bisect West Bank to ‘bury’ Palestinian state

Israel advances controversial E1 settlement plan, sparking condemnation and fears it will lead to ‘many more years of bloodshed’.

15 Aug 2025 - 9:38AMvideocam

Israeli policemen stand guard near the settlement of Maale Adummim, in a land corridor known as E1, outside Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank on August 14. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s Gaza City offensive may be weeks away, leaving time for ceasefire

Two officials say the evacuation of civilians could take until October, despite Netanyahu’s vow to begin the offensive ‘fairly quickly’.

12 Aug 2025 - 6:23PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive will start soon

Israeli prime minister says his only choice is to seize Gaza City, as the UN Security Council hears new calls for ceasefire and aid.

11 Aug 2025 - 12:24PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli far-right leaders discuss ‘riviera’ plans for war-ravaged Gaza

As Palestinians face dire humanitarian conditions, a Knesset meeting discusses luxury resorts and Jewish settlement for Gaza.

23 Jul 2025 - 2:08PM

The sun sets behind destroyed buildings in Gaza on July 1. Photo: AFP

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