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Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, signed today (Monday) an order for a significant expansion of import quotas for hard and premium cheeses to Israel, as part of the fight against the high cost of living and the effort to increase competition in the food market.
Dairy products in Israel are about 50% more expensive than the OECD average, with hard cheese prices reaching twice the average.
In light of these gaps, the minister decided on a dramatic move to increase duty-free import quotas, with the aim of increasing competition and gradually lowering cheese prices for consumers.
According to the order signed by the minister, the duty-free quota will increase from 11,500 tons per year to 19,500 tons, an addition of 8,000 tons, which constitutes a 70% increase in the volume of duty-free imports. The increase in quotas will take effect immediately and will be valid for two years, with the Minister of Finance retaining the authority to extend the order according to market developments.
The order was signed concurrently with a broad reform promoted by the Ministry of Finance in the dairy sector, which aims to bring about price reductions in all dairy products, including soft cheeses and liquid milk, while maintaining significant local production. The reform includes broad protection for dairy farmers, a safety net for local production, and government investments in small and medium-sized dairy farms and dairies, with the aim of strengthening the industry alongside opening the market to competition.
The Israeli market is characterized by high concentration and significant competition barriers, which lead to Israeli families paying high prices for a limited variety of products.
 
Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich: “I have now taken another significant step in the fight against the high cost of living and dramatically expanded the opening of the hard cheese market to imports.
Duty-free yellow cheese costs NIS 32 per kilogram today, compared to the same cheese from monopolies that costs three times as much. Do you know why they sell it at three times the price? Because they can. Do you know why they can? Because until today, they limited the amount of imports and forced all of us to pay dearly. Now that’s over. It can be cheaper here.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the management of the Ministry of Finance, and the Director of the Tax Authority visited Kiryat Shmona today (Thursday) and met at the City Hall with Mayor Avichai Stern and residents. 
During the visit, the Minister and the Ministry’s management received a comprehensive overview of the city’s and residents’ situation, visited areas that sustained indirect damage due to the war, and then proceeded to visit a technological center in the city.
During the meeting, the Minister announced a unique plan for the city that will be brought as part of the developing government decision.
The plan will include steps to boost businesses in Kiryat Shmona and encourage demographic absorption of new residents, alongside strengthening long-time residents, students, and reservists.

As part of the plan:
– A unique credit card will be distributed to residents and students, which will include a monthly grant ranging between NIS 1,000 and NIS 2,500 for use in Kiryat Shmona businesses only. 
– Reservists will be able to utilize their “Fighter” card with affordable subsidies for purchases in Kiryat Shmona.
– A dedicated administration for Kiryat Shmona will be established, the project for establishing a university in the location will be funded, and assistance will be provided to the municipality for ongoing needs, with the aim of improving services provided to residents, along with a series of programs and incentives to encourage demographic growth and significant relocation of residents to the city.
The visit and the decisions made emphasize the great importance the Ministry of Finance places on strengthening Kiryat Shmona and its residents, especially during this period against the backdrop of post-war challenges. 

Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich:
“Israel will be tested in Kiryat Shmona. The security situation here is incomparably better than it was before October 7th. The true victory is to see a flourishing region here. This is a national mission, and we are committed to it. God willing, we will bring good tidings to the residents, focusing on growth-encouraging steps, and within two years, we will see ten thousand new residents here.”

Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Ilan Rom:
“The Ministry of Finance is committed to closely accompanying Kiryat Shmona in the short and long term. The approved steps are intended to provide a real response to the needs that arose from the field, strengthen the local economy, and assist residents in dealing with the consequences of the war, while building a foundation for future growth.”

Mayor of Kiryat Shmona, Avichai Stern: “I am pleased about the working meeting, the tour, and the opportunity to present the true situation of Kiryat Shmona to the Finance Minister and government representatives. We emphasized the need for an immediate response alongside broad solutions that will strengthen the city, the residents, and the businesses. The road is still long, but we will do everything to ensure that Kiryat Shmona flourishes on the ground and not just on paper.”
 

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich informed the Minister of Economy Nir Barkat of his opposition to imposing an anti-dumping duty on aluminum imports from China and decision to block the move. The decision, said Smotrich’s office, was made after examining the macroeconomic implications, and with the understanding that the duty would severely damage the construction industry, delay the delivery of thousands of apartments, and increase the cost of living.

Jerusalem, 4 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for agreeing to halt the IDF’s (Israel Defense Forces) Gaza offensive unilaterally and before Hamas officially agreed to release hostages. Smotrich leads the right-wing religious Zionism Party in Netanyahu’s coalition government.

“The Prime Minister’s decision to halt the offensive in Gaza and conduct negotiations for the first time without being under fire is a serious mistake and is a sure recipe for Hamas stalling for time and a growing erosion of the Israeli position, both with respect to the release of the hostages in one fell swoop within 72 hours and with respect to the central war goal of eliminating Hamas and completely demobilizing Gaza,” said Smotrich.

Jerusalem, 28 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signed an order Wednesday allowing the import of milk duty-free for a period of six months. The move was made in response to the Israel Dairy Council’s announcement that the local dairy industry will have difficulty meeting demand for regulated milk during the upcoming Jewish holidays that begin at the end of September.

The Ministry of Finance explained that this year the holidays fall in the middle of the week, which reduces working and production days at dairies, and as a result, along with the increasing demand, will create much larger shortages.

“This is a vital step aimed at expanding supply and reducing the risk of shortages, especially during the holidays,” said the Ministry in a statement.

The Ministry of Finance noted that the phenomenon of shortages in dairy products is recurring, and stems from “distortions and structural failures in the local dairy industry – fundamental issues that the Minister of Finance is determined to address thoroughly.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited today (Tuesday), along with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the training facility of the Hasmonean Brigade at IDF Camp Tevetz in the Jordan Valley.

During the visit, the Prime Minister held a meeting with the Brigade’s fighters and spoke with them. In addition, the Prime Minister received a briefing from the Brigade commanders on the Brigade operations and the training of the Haredi fighters, in full compliance with their way of life.

*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu* (translated from Hebrew):

“We are here at the Hasmonean Brigade in the Jordan Valley, the IDF’s first Haredi brigade. I have now met with both the commanders and the soldiers, and it is uplifting. You see young Haredi men who come here, enlist and become excellent fighters. They have already been to Gaza and fought with distinction. Sadly, some of their friends in the Netzah Yehuda battalion fell in battle last week.

We are fighting a great battle, and we need the forces of spirit and the military might to prevail. Here we have the spirit and the might. They come in as Haredi and they come out as Haredi — and that thing is possible. They are coming not under coercion, but willingly, and that willingness is widespread among the Haredi public. We can lead a process — not one of confrontation and infighting, but rather a mobilization of all the forces in Jewish society in order to truly bring security to our state and defend our people.

I wish it on everyone to see what we have here, it is going to develop and grow. At once preserving the world of the Torah, which is one of the foundations of our existence for thousands of years; and enlisting thousands upon thousands of enthusiastic, strong and devoted young men.

We are operating in Syria as well. We have a commitment to preserve the south-western region of Syria as a demilitarized area on Israel’s border. We will not allow a return to the situation where a second Lebanon is being established there, and we also have an obligation to safeguard the Druze locals. We are doing that by carrying out intensive operations. I hope we won’t need further operations, and that very much depends on what is understood and done, and what is not done, in Damascus”.

*Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich* (translated from Hebrew):

“We met today with first-class brave fighters who chose to serve the nation of Israel in the battlefield without giving up their Haredi way of life. The Hasmonean Brigade, commanded by Col. Avinoam Emunah, proves that it is possible to integrate the sons of the Haredi community in the Israeli Defense Forces in the best way. The entire training facility is run professionally, and raises a generation of qualified fighters that will comprise a substantial part of the IDF’s fighting force. We are determined to bring about, God willing, the enlistment of many thousands of members of the Haredi community, and we are convinced that this is the way to do it. Together, with the building of trust, and through a determined and fundamental process”.

The Prime Minister was joined by his chief of staff Tzachi Braverman, the Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, his Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, IDF Infantry and Paratroopers Corps Commander Brig.-Gen. Eran Oliel, head of the IDF Ground Forces Personnel Division Brig.-Gen. Ehud Bibi, and head of the IDF Personnel Planning and Management Division Brig.-Gen. Shay Tayeb.

Jerusalem, 24 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in coordination with the Chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, Rabbi Moshe Gafni, the Chairman of the Histadrut (Israel’s national labor federation), Arnon Bar David, and others, announced on Monday that in light of the indirect damage caused as a result of the war with Iran he intends to activate the compensation plan for businesses and the relief for employees placed on unpaid leave in all regions across the country.

The outline that will be implemented for businesses is a right-based expense track, which was also implemented at the beginning of the Iron Swords War in Gaza. According to the outline, the Property Tax Compensation Fund will compensate businesses throughout the country whose operating turnover is 12,000 Shekels ($3,500) to 400 million Shekels ($115 million) and there is a decrease in turnover of over 25% for a monthly report or 12.5% for a bimonthly report in May/or June 2025.

Businesses whose business turnover is 12,000 Shekels ($3,500) – 300,000 Shekels ($87 million) per year: These businesses will be eligible for a fixed business continuity grant depending on the level of damage to the business.

Businesses whose business turnover is 300,000 Shekels ($87,000) – 400 million Shekels ($115 million) per year: These businesses will be eligible for a business continuity grant consisting of a refund of inputs (expense reimbursement) of between 7-22 percent depending on the extent of the damage to business turnover, as well as a refund of 75% of salary expenses in proportion to the extent of the damage.

By Sveta Listratov • June 11, 2025

Jerusalem, 11 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday defiantly dismissed sanctions placed on him the previous day by Britain and other Western countries.

“What am I going to do now with all my assets in Britain and bank accounts in New Zealand?” Smotrich said, speaking in the Knesset plenum. “Thank God, I have no assets either in Israel or abroad. I have no interest in visiting these antisemitic countries anyway, so these sanctions don’t concern me.”

Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand  sanctioned Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday over what British Foreign Minister described as “monstrous” rhetoric and policies regarding Gaza, and accusing them of inciting Jewish violence against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria. The measures include a travel ban and a freezing of any assets they have in those countries.

“These are not personal sanctions — they’re an attempt to pressure Israel to stop the war, to surrender, to commit suicide by allowing a terror state to rise beside us. We will not allow that. We stand as a fortified wall against this,” Smotrich insisted.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the sanctions “scandalous,” and said Israel would consider an official response next week.

Knesset Deputy Speaker Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit) announced she would reintroduce legislation to block Israeli banks from enforcing foreign sanctions against Israeli citizens who have not broken domestic law.

Smotrich also used the moment to say he would end a waiver allowing Israeli banks to process shekel transfers with Palestinian banks. The waiver allows Israeli banks to process shekel payments for services and salaries associated with the Palestinian Authority without running afoul of laws against terror-funding and money laundering. The banks process PA stipends for imprisoned Palestinian terrorists and their families.

Jerusalem, 10 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Following Britain’s announcement of personal sanctions against Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Limor Son Har-Melech announced she will advance legislation protecting Israeli citizens from banking restrictions due to foreign sanctions.

British officials Smotrich and Ben-Gvir will have their UK assets frozen and face a travel ban over their “monstrous” comments about Gaza. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are expected to follow suit.

Son Har-Melech’s bill would prevent Israeli banks from denying services to citizens on foreign sanctions lists, provided they haven’t violated Israeli law. The Otzma Yehudit lawmaker criticized banks for “rushing to adopt sanctions regimes that are not valid in Israel, due to low risk appetite and a desire to please foreign elements.”