Who is Bezalel Smotrich?
Bezalel Smotrich is a far-right Israeli politician and lawyer, currently serving as Israel’s Minister of Finance and a Minister in the Defense Ministry since 2022. He is the leader of the Religious Zionist Party, known for its nationalist and conservative positions.
Bezalel Smotrich Education
Bezalel Smotrich received a religious education rooted in Orthodox Judaism. He studied at several prominent institutions:
- Mercaz HaRav Kook – a flagship yeshiva of the religious Zionist movement.
- Yashlatz – a religious high school affiliated with Mercaz HaRav.
- Yeshivat Kedumim – located in the West Bank settlement of Kedumim.
He later pursued legal studies:
- Bachelor of Arts in Law from Ono Academic College.
- He began a Master’s degree in Public and International Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, but did not complete it.
Smotrich is a licensed attorney in Israel and briefly served in the Israel Defense Forces, working in the Operations Division of the General Staff.
Bezalel Smotrich Height
Smotrich is approximately 1.65 meters tall, which is about 5 feet 5 inches
Bezalel Smotrich Ethnicity
Smotrich is of Ukrainian-Jewish descent. His surname originates from the town of Smotrych in western Ukraine, where his ancestors lived. He identifies as an Orthodox Jew and practices Judaism.
Bezalel Smotrich Parents
His parents are:
- Father: Chaim Smotrich, an Orthodox rabbi involved with the Tekumah party, a far-right religious nationalist faction.
- Mother: Sara Smotrich.
His family background is deeply rooted in religious Zionism and traditional Jewish values.
Bezalel Smotrich Family
Smotrich is married to Revital Smotrich, and together they have seven children. The family resides in a house located outside the Kedumim settlement in the West Bank, which has been noted for being built illegally beyond the settlement’s master plan.
He also has a sister named Yiska Bracha Smotrich, though details about other siblings are not publicly available.
Bezalel Smotrich Party
Smotrich is the leader of the Religious Zionist Party, a far-right political alliance in Israel. His political journey includes:
- Former member of The Jewish Home and Yamina parties.
- Co-founder of Regavim, an NGO focused on legal action against unauthorized Palestinian and Bedouin construction.
Under his leadership, the Religious Zionist Party gained significant traction in the 2022 elections, securing a key role in the coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
Bezalel Smotrich X
- Controversial statements: He has described himself as a “proud homophobe” and has made inflammatory remarks about Palestinians and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Policy influence: He has pushed for settlement expansion, judicial reform, and annexation of parts of the West Bank.
- International sanctions: In 2025, several countries including the UK, Canada, and Australia imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Smotrich for allegedly inciting settler violence.
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Bezalel Smotrich Wife
Smotrich’s wife is Revital Smotrich. While the date of their marriage is not publicly disclosed, she is known to be supportive of his political career. The couple maintains a private family life, and the names of their children are not publicly shared.
Bezalel Smotrich Age
Bezalel Smotrich was born on February 27, 1980, in Haspin, Golan Heights. As of 2025, he is 45 years old.
Bezalel Smotrich Net Worth
Smotrich’s estimated net worth is between $1.1 million and $5 million. This includes his assets and financial interests, which have come under scrutiny due to his high-profile role as Israel’s Minister of Finance.
Bezalel Smotrich Political Career & Ideology
Political Career
Smotrich’s rise in Israeli politics has been marked by his far-right activism, strategic alliances, and controversial policymaking:
- 2006: Co-founded Regavim, an NGO focused on legal action against unauthorized Palestinian and Bedouin construction in Israel and the West Bank.
- 2015: Elected to the Knesset as part of The Jewish Home party. He quickly became known for his hardline positions and legislative activism.
- 2019: Briefly served as Minister of Transport in Netanyahu’s caretaker government. He gained praise for infrastructure initiatives, including electrifying railways and expanding roads in the West Bank.
- 2021: Rebranded his faction as the Religious Zionist Party, distancing from more moderate allies and aligning with ultra-nationalist groups like Otzma Yehudit and Noam.
- 2022: Played a pivotal role in forming Netanyahu’s coalition government. Appointed Minister of Finance and given administrative control over West Bank settlements, a move that centralized settler governance under civilian authority.
- 2023–2025: Led efforts to freeze Palestinian Authority tax revenues, block fuel transfers to Gaza, and expand settlements. These actions drew international condemnation and led to sanctions from multiple countries.
Ideology
Smotrich’s ideology is rooted in Religious Zionism, blending Orthodox Jewish beliefs with ultra-nationalist politics:
- Jewish Sovereignty: Advocates for Israeli control over all biblical lands, including the West Bank and Gaza. He opposes any form of Palestinian statehood.
- Judicial Reform: Supports reshaping Israel’s legal system to reflect Torah-based principles, including legislation that prioritizes religious texts when courts lack precedent.
- Anti-LGBTQ+ Views: Famously called himself a “proud homophobe” and organized protests against gay pride events. Though he later expressed regret, his stance remains deeply conservative.
- Settler Expansion: Believes in unrestricted settlement growth and has pushed for legalizing previously unauthorized outposts.
- Palestinian Relations: Views the Palestinian Authority as a liability and has called for the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza. He has also blocked financial and logistical support to Palestinian institutions.
Recent Actions
– During the Israel-Hamas war: Restricted funds and goods to Gaza and the West Bank, supported settlement expansion, and called for the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians from Gaza.
– International backlash: In June 2025, several Western countries imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Smotrich for inciting settler violence.