Finance Ministry

IDF Disabled Veterans Organization warns of 'national disaster' amid exclusion in defense budget

The warnings came amid debate in 2026 defense spending discussions, in which the Finance Ministry rejected the Defense Ministry's petitions to increase spending by NIS 40 billion.

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, Israeli soldiers and Israeli veterans and disabled IDF soldiers seen during a march honoring IDF wounded and disabled IDF, in Tel Aviv, November 17, 2021.
 Buildings in old city, Safed, Northern District, Israel.

Safed Rabbinical Court may close this fall despite strong local demand

Shekels and dollars

The Finance Ministry’s new move targets small savings

View of the Nvidia Corporation offices at the Yokneam High-Tech Park, September 8, 2024.

Israel launches NIS 1.6b. package to support exporters, hi-tech


Smotrich orders cancellation of waiver on cooperation with Palestinian banks

This move could effect the collapse of the PA.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

Israel approves 22 West Bank settlements amid war with Hamas, pressure for Palestinian state

Legal Affairs correspondent Sarah Ben-Nun explains the context of settlement approval, touching on expansion during the Israel-Hamas War, IDF operations in the West Bank, and more.

A general view of houses in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank

Gov't approves establishment of 22 new West Bank settlements

The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border.

 A map of 22 areas in the West Bank that were approved for new Israeli settlements, May 29, 2025.

Finance Ministry, Teachers Union reach agreement in wake of teacher strikes

In addition, the clause published in the May 4 draft proposal that would have halted rank promotions for four months has been removed.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Yaffa Ben-David, Secretary-general of the Teachers Union.

Court rules: Teachers who took sick leave as protest must return to work

Some tens of thousands of teachers have been on a “sick day” strike since the start of the week.

An empty classroom in a school in Givatayim amid the teachers' strike. May 6, 2025.

'It's about more than money': Uncertainty remains over end to teacher strike despite deal

Despite new understandings between the Finance Ministry and the Teachers’ Union, it remains unclear whether disruptions in the education system will soon come to an end. 

 View of exterior of an empty school amid teachers strike May 5th, 2025.

Gov't members to raise own salaries while teachers strike over budget cuts - report

Just one day earlier, Smotrich wrote a letter to teachers, assuring them that rumors of government members receiving a pay raise are false.

(L to R): Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

‘You are being incited with lies’: Smotrich denies Finance Ministry responsible for teacher pay cuts

Smotrich claimed there were necessary budget cuts across multiple sectors as a result of the war's growing cost.

 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at Knesset, February 10, 2025.

Education Ministry backs teachers' strike on budget cuts to salaries

Benny Gantz expressed his support for the teachers as well and criticized Netanyahu's conduct on the matter.

 ONE CHALLENGE: The ongoing classroom shortage. Pictured: At a Beit Hakerem school.

High Court cannot force government to retain Bar as Shin Bet head, says Smotrich

"The responsibility for Israel's security lies with the government, and therefore, the authority [to fire Bar] rests with it," Smotrich said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025