Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) – War Watch

Ben-Gvir, Itamar | Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) | Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Mojtaba (1969- ) | Lebanon | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Nuclear weapons | Obama, Barack | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Peace Process | Republican Party | Ships and Shipping | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Vance, J D

Vance Lashes Out at Israeli Critics of U.S.-Iran Agreement to End the War
ByJonathan Swan, Erica L. Green, Max Bearak and Michael Levenson June 18, 2026

The vice president said that the United States was the only powerful ally Israel had left and noted that two-thirds of the weapons that protected Israel were paid for by U.S. tax dollars.

Read More Vance Lashes Out at Israeli Critics of U.S.-Iran Agreement to End the War
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinians | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | West Bank

Israel Set to Rapidly Expand West Bank Settlement
ByIsabel Kershner June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

In a major push, the government is rushing to place temporary housing at about 60 empty sites in the Israeli-occupied West Bank before national elections this fall.

Read More Israel Set to Rapidly Expand West Bank Settlement
Australia | Canada | Embargoes and Sanctions | France | Great Britain | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | New Zealand | Norway | Palestinians | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | West Bank

6 Countries Announce Sanctions Targeting Israeli Settler Networks
ByLynsey Chutel June 9, 2026

The measures aim to “disrupt the flows of finance” supporting attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, said the British government, which coordinated them with France and other nations.

Read More 6 Countries Announce Sanctions Targeting Israeli Settler Networks
International Criminal Court | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Palestinians | Politics and Government | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | West Bank

Israeli Minister Threatens to Evict Palestinians From West Bank Hamlet
ByAaron Boxerman May 19, 2026

Bezalel Smotrich, the hard-line minister, said he was retaliating for the International Criminal Court prosecutor seeking his arrest, something the court did not confirm nor deny.

Read More Israeli Minister Threatens to Evict Palestinians From West Bank Hamlet
Hebron (West Bank) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinian Authority | Palestinians | Peace Now | Religious Zionism (Israeli Political Party) | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | West Bank

Israel Gives Itself More Control Over Occupied West Bank
ByDavid M. Halbfinger and Isabel Kershner February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

The security cabinet took actions that make it easier for Jews to buy land in the territory. Critics say the changes violate the Oslo Accords and international law and accelerate attempts to annex the land.

Read More Israel Gives Itself More Control Over Occupied West Bank
Ben-Gvir, Itamar | Elections | Gaza Strip | Hamas | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Kidnapping and Hostages | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Peace Process | Politics and Government | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | United States International Relations

Netanyahu’s Political Fortunes May Be Transformed by Gaza Deal
ByDavid M. Halbfinger October 9, 2025October 10, 2025

The Israeli prime minister appeared backed into a corner in Gaza diplomacy. But this deal could greatly increase his room for maneuver, analysts said.

Read More Netanyahu’s Political Fortunes May Be Transformed by Gaza Deal
Arab-Israeli War (1948) | Ben-Gvir, Itamar | Civilian Casualties | Defense and Military Forces | Discrimination | Food Aid | Gaza City (Gaza Strip) | Gaza Strip | Hamas | Hezbollah | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Jews and Judaism | Khan Younis (Gaza Strip) | Kibbutz Movement | Kidnapping and Hostages | Middle East | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinians | Politics and Government | Race and Ethnicity | Refugees and Displaced Persons | Religion-State Relations | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | Terrorism | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | War and Armed Conflicts | War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity | West Bank | Yaalon, Moshe

Amid the Gaza War, Israel Is More Divided and Isolated Than Ever
ByRoger Cohen, David Guttenfelder and Saher Alghorra October 5, 2025October 7, 2025

The longest war of an endless Israeli-Palestinian conflict has come to challenge Israel’s own image and understanding of itself.

Read More Amid the Gaza War, Israel Is More Divided and Isolated Than Ever
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinian Authority | Palestinians | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | West Bank

Far-right Israeli Minister Calls for West Bank Annexation
ByAaron Boxerman September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

Bezalel Smotrich said Israel should take over most of the territory, partly in response to growing international moves to recognize a Palestinian state.

Read More Far-right Israeli Minister Calls for West Bank Annexation
International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinians | Peace Process | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | United States International Relations | West Bank

E1 Settlement in West Bank Tied to Greater Israel Goal
ByIsabel Kershner August 25, 2025

Israel’s approval of a settlement project delayed for decades shows how far Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone in dashing Palestinian aspirations.

Read More E1 Settlement in West Bank Tied to Greater Israel Goal
East Jerusalem | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinians | Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- ) | Trump, Donald J | West Bank

Israel Approves Settlements, a Blow to Faded Hopes for a Palestinian State
ByAaron Boxerman August 20, 2025

The long-stalled project near Jerusalem, known as E1, further fragments West Bank lands envisioned as part of a Palestinian state, advancing a goal of Israeli hard-liners.

Read More Israel Approves Settlements, a Blow to Faded Hopes for a Palestinian State