Minister Strock: Gov’t has no right to throw war away to save hostages – Israel Politics

Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Strock complained that the government was “throwing the [war effort] in the trash to save 22 or 33” of the 133 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza in an interview with Army Radio on Wednesday. Strock insisted that her party “very much” wants to bring the hostages … Read more

Finance Minister called off stage during right-wing conference – Israel Politics

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party, was shouted off the stage on Tuesday at an annual conference held in Ashkelon by the right-wing newspaper Yisrael Hayom. The incident was an indication of the lack of support for Smotrich in the right-wing camp. Smotrich, whose party currently has seven Knesset … Read more

Jerusalem elections: Who are three National Religious lists? – Israel Politics

Twenty percent of Jerusalem’s Jewish residents aged 20 and above define themselves as religious; another 25% define themselves as traditional. Yet for religious Jerusalemites who generally define themselves as National Religious, there are three representative lists running for city council in the elections set for the end of this month. Hagit Moshe, the current … Read more

Netanyahu, Smotrich squabble over hostage deal talks, Palestinian funds – Israel Politics

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu squabbled over the ongoing negotiations for a hostage release deal with Hamas and the provision of funds to the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday. The squabble began after Smotrich posted on X, “The war cabinet should send the head of the Mossad to assassinate the leaders … Read more