Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stepped down from his position, escalating tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. Smotrich, the leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party, will return to his Knesset seat after his resignation, as reported by Israeli Channel 12.
This move comes amid a disagreement between Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, specifically regarding the reinstatement of Knesset member Zvi Sukkot. The Religious Zionism party issued a statement accusing Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, of violating political agreements previously made between him, Smotrich, and Netanyahu’s Likud party.
This resignation highlights the deepening fractures within Israel’s far-right coalition, which has been plagued by internal divisions over key policy decisions and political appointments in recent months.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE