Bezalel Smotrich | |
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![]() Smotrich in 2023 | |
Other ministerial roles | |
2019–2020 | Minister of Transport |
2022– | Minister of Finance |
2022– | Minister in the Defense Ministry |
Faction represented in the Knesset | |
2015–2019 | The Jewish Home |
2019 | Union of Right-Wing Parties |
2019 | Yamina |
2019–2020 | The Jewish Home–Tkuma |
2020–2021 | Yamina |
2021–2023 | Religious Zionist Party |
Personal details | |
Born | Haspin, Golan Heights | 27 February 1980
Bezalel Yoel Smotrich (Hebrew: בְּצַלְאֵל יוֹאֵל סְמוֹטְרִיץ׳; born 27 February 1980) is an Israeli far-right politician and lawyer who has served as the Minister of Finance since 2022.[1] The leader of the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism,[2] he previously served as a Knesset member for The Jewish Home and Yamina.
Smotrich is a settler in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, living in the settlement of Kedumim, which is illegal under international law. His residence was also built illegally outside the settlement proper.[3]
Smotrich's statements, often dubbed "racist" and "homophobic," have led to several controversies.[4] He is a supporter of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, opposes Palestinian statehood, and denies the existence of the Palestinian people.[4] As minister with powers in the occupied Palestinian territories, he has led clandestine Israeli efforts to annex territories in the West Bank, first as a fait accompli, then by force of law.[5][6]
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