Religious Zionist Party

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.
ISRAELI POLITICIAN Bezalel Smotrich is seen before President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem.

Two protesters held outside Religious Zionist Party offices amid budget, cost-of-living tension

A man lights a cigarette with fire from a burning picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Israelis rally in support of the nationwide protests happening in Iran, in Holon, Israel, January 14, 2026.

Majority of Israelis favor joint US-Israel action against Iran - poll

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the annual Cyber Week, at Tel Aviv University, December 9, 2025

Bennett's draft law pitch brings in support as opposition bloc maintains lead over Netanyahu - poll


Government faces challenges in approving prisoner exchange deal

The proposed prisoner exchange deal has sparked opposition from the Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties.

 Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, October 23, 2023

'Frayed': Is religious Zionism splitting apart? - review

Frayed is a serious and thought-provoking examination of issues of deep concern to many Israelis and can help understand the ongoing tension between the secular and the religious.

 THEN-PRIME MINISTER Naftali Bennett informs the country that he will not seek reelection, at a 2022 press conference at the Knesset.

There is more than one religious Zionism - opinion

The implication that The Religious Zionist Party represents all religious Zionists, as well as religious Zionism, is patently untrue. Rather, they hijacked it.

 FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, addresses a pre-Rosh Hashanah party event, in Jerusalem last week.

Smotrich to Hayut: 'You dare to invalidate a Basic Law, the responsibility is yours'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke at the right-wing pro-judicial reform demonstration in Jerusalem on Thursday night.

 Finance Minster Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a pro-reform rally in Jerusalem, September 7, 2023.

Racism has infested Israel's religious Zionists and must be fought - opinion

In no uncertain terms, it must be demonstrated to the Israeli public at home and to those who look at us from the outside that racism has no place among us.

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks to the media at the Shaare Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem on, January 28, 2023.

Israel's 'religious' Jewish parties want to destroy democracy, morality - opinion

Religious and secular Jews need to work together to take back Judaism from the present institutional leadership’s destructive grasp.

 FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, and Shas party head MK Arye Deri attend a meeting in the Knesset in May on the state budget.

Smotrich freezes NIS 200m. destined for Arab sector

Many Arab communities currently lack classrooms and schools – approximately 305 are needed throughout the country – and part of the grant was intended for constructing schools.

 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is seen at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 19, 2023.

Religious Zionism to merge with Jewish Home

Jewish Home has millions of shekel in debt, which the joint party will now share the burden of together.

 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is seen at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 19, 2023.

Is a crisis brewing in Netanyahu's coalition? - analysis

Could Netanyahu be putting the government’s stability in the hands of the people who want him out?

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are among cabinet ministers attending a state budget meeting, earlier this year.

Right-wing Israeli caucus pushes for return to 1967 war strategy

The Israel Victory Caucus, comprising right-wing lawmakers and security officials, advocates for a significant change in Israel's conflict resolution strategies.

 Rabbi Leo Dee speaks at a meeting of the Israel Victory Caucus, at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 12, 2023.