Finance Ministry

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.

|ByKESHET NEEV
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.
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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

|ByKESHET NEEV, REUTERS

Finance, Defense ministries to establish c'mtee to expand resources for wounded IDF soldiers

A new public committee, led by senior medical experts, will oversee an expanded national response for wounded IDF soldiers, with a focus on psychological care and integration.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
"We manage to save severely wounded people who previously would not have survived." Airborne evacuation of wounded from Gaza

The state of the Israeli economy - opinion

One major difficulty when evaluating Israel’s current economic situation is the lack of concrete data about the government’s operational plans regarding the war in Gaza.

AUGUST 25, 2025BySUSAN HATTIS ROLEF
FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem earlier this month. That Smotrich is not an economist, and is quite ignorant of current economic theory and practice, is no secret, says the writer.

Gov't approves proposal for mass increase in budget to Defense Ministry

The decision came with major opposition from ministers who were strongly against the government’s move. 

AUGUST 19, 2025ByKESHET NEEV
Education minister Yoav Kisch attends Education, Culture, and Sports Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on May 12, 2025.

Finance Minister Smotrich rejects compensating Israelis stranded outside Israel during Iran war

Finance Committee opposed the decision and called on Netanyahu to readdress the issue.

AUGUST 11, 2025ByKESHET NEEV
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, also attended by Argentine President Javier Milei (not pictured), in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025.

IDF backtracks after widespread texts for reservists to reimburse gov't vacation vouchers

The military’s retraction letter followed reports of text messages sent nationwide on Tuesday, informing reservists using government vouchers to return the money.

AUGUST 6, 2025ByKESHET NEEV
IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, August 2, 2025.

From Tel Aviv to Haifa in 30 minutes: Israel Railways to launch high-speed line by 2029

According to the Transportation Ministry, trains on the new line will be capable of speeds up to 250 kilometers per hour.

JULY 27, 2025ByMOSHE COHEN
View of the Israel Railways train near the southern Israeli city of Sderot, July 21, 2025.

Israel to boost defense spending by NIS 42 b. in light of multi-front wars

The Director-General of the ministry, Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram said that this move would allow the ministry to replenish consumed stocks of weapons and ammunition. 

JULY 17, 2025ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
An Israeli APC manoeuvres next to other military vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 16, 2025.

Gov't launches project to rebuild homes destroyed by Iranian missiles

The project will consolidate costs for home renovations across an apartment complex, aiming to reduce the overall cost to residents and the state.

JULY 1, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Tel Aviv Apartment destroyed by an Iranian missile, June 16, 2025.

Government, labor associations announce compensation for businesses amid Iran war

The plan had previously applied to specific areas impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (center) with Histadrut head Arnon Bar-David (right of center), Presidency of Business Organizations chair Dubi Amitai (left of center), and others announcing compensation for businesses, June 23, 2025.

Almost 15,000 homes damaged by Iranian attacks, thousands evacuated

Some 24 buildings were identified as needing to be demolished following damage from Iranian strikes, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said.  

JUNE 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli security and rescue forces at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Petah Tikva, June 16, 2025