Strook: Religious Zionism will collapse coalition if war ends prematurely The Jewish state risks becoming "the punching bag of all its enemies in the Middle East," warned Israel's Settlements and National Missions minister. JNS Staff Feb. 4, 2025
Allowing Jews to buy private Judea and Samaria lands will end ‘open racism,’ says lawmaker "The current situation is absurd," coalition lawmaker Moshe Solomon told JNS. Amelie Botbol and Akiva Van Koningsveld Jan. 28, 2025
Smotrich: Gaza a ‘time bomb,’ Trump’s call for relocation ‘most realistic solution’ "There are more than 1.5 million people who have grown up for generations with hate for Israel and antisemitism," the Israeli finance minister told JNS. Akiva Van Koningsveld and Amelie Botbol Jan. 28, 2025
Smotrich to temporarily resign amid Netanyahu’s coalition reshuffle The prime minister’s Likud Party reportedly tried to persuade MK Zvika Fogel to split from Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit. JNS Staff Jan. 20, 2025
Netanyahu faces political crisis as Smotrich weighs coalition exit The Religious Zionism Party convened to discuss its role in the government. Joshua Marks Jan. 16, 2025
Smotrich’s security detail increased following Palestinian threats The increased security surrounding the right-wing Cabinet minister followed a deadly terror shooting near Bezalel Smotrich's home in Kedumim. Jan. 9, 2025
Smotrich clarifies Gaza remarks after US slams ‘disturbing’ suggestion of conditioning aid "While our captives endure harsh conditions in underground tunnels, we continue to pamper Gaza with resources," the Israeli finance minister said. Akiva Van Koningsveld Aug. 8, 2024
Outgoing IDF commander blasts ‘Jewish violence,’ praises PA, sparking outrage "The [security] 'conception' general is going home," said Religious Zionism Party MK Zvi Sukkot. "Goodbye and see you never." Akiva Van Koningsveld July 9, 2024
‘IDF did not divert troops to Judea and Samaria before Oct. 7’ Forces in Samaria were reinforced as part of a quarterly IDF schedule approved some two months before the Hamas massacre, according to an internal military document. May 22, 2024