TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich resigned from his position on Monday, March 31, 2025, deepening tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, as reported by Israel's Channel 12, cited from Anadolu.
Smotrich, an extremist figure of Israel's far-right, will return to his seat in the Knesset as a member of the Religious Zionism party which he leads.
His resignation comes amidst a dispute with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the reinstatement of Knesset member Zvi Sukkot.
Smotrich stepped down in response to Ben Gvir's demand, who leads the Otzma Yehudit party, also an extreme right-wing faction. Ben-Gvir demanded more ministerial positions as a condition for rejoining the government.
By returning to his position as a Knesset member, Smotrich will displace Knesset member Yitzhak Kroizer of the Otzma Yehudit party from the Knesset.
Kroizer became a Knesset member in 2023 under the Norwegian Law, which allows ministers and deputy ministers from a larger party to resign from the Knesset, so that members of another party can take over their seats.
In a statement, the Religious Zionism party accused Ben-Gvir of violating a political agreement made between himself, Smotrich, and the ruling Likud party owned by Netanyahu.
This move highlights the growing rift within Israel's right-wing coalition, which has faced internal fractures over appointments and key policies in recent months.
Smotrich's resignation comes as Israel resumes its onslaught on Gaza since March 18 as a breach of the ceasefire deal with Hamas. Over a thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in the attacks, including on the first day of the recent Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
As reported by Republic World, Smotrich is an extremist right-wing politician and chairman of the Religious Zionism party. He has played a significant role in the Israeli government, including as the Finance Minister.
Known for his staunch religious ultra-nationalist stance, Smotrich supports the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
He is also a vocal supporter of traditional policies regarding Israel's identity, religion, and economy.
Bezalel Smotrich has been a key figure in Israeli politics, often aligning with other extremist right-wing groups, such as Otzma Yehudit, and is known for his controversial positions on topics including the Israel-Palestine conflict and LGBTQ+ rights.
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