Bezalel Smotrich
Minister of Finance; Chairman of Religious Zionism · Religious Zionism
2 changes of mind on record, 2019–2026
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.
At a glance
- Judicial reform Push the reform throughSlow down, seek agreement Jan 2023Mar 2023Dec 2024Sept 2026
- Netanyahu as prime minister Doubts Netanyahu's leadershipBacks Netanyahu as PM Aug 2019Apr 2021Aug 2025
first said said otherwise
Judicial reform
Then
Push the reform through
Days after the Justice Minister's reform is launched, he says the Chief Justice's speech shows how essential the reform is, and that it is time for a 'restart' of repair.
"נאום הנשיאה חיות רק מוכיח את חיוניות הרפורמה לתיקון מערכת המשפט ולחיזוק הדמוקרטיה הישראלית."
Our translation The speech of President Hayut only proves the necessity of the reform to fix the justice system and strengthen Israeli democracy.
2 months later
Later
Slow down, seek agreement
After weeks of protest, he says some in his camp wanted a comprehensive reform now, but that is not the right process, and the government decided to slow down and reach out.
"זה לא סוד שיש גורמים מהמחנה שלנו שרצו רפורמה מקיפה כבר עכשיו, אבל זה לא תהליך נכון. החלטנו להאט ולהושיט יד"
Our translation It is no secret that there are elements in our camp who wanted a comprehensive reform right now, but that is not the right process. We decided to slow down and reach out a hand.
Source סמוטריץ' על המהפכה במערכת המשפט: "נמשיך לתקן באופן מאוזן" (גלובס) (as reported by globes.co.il)
1 year, 8 months later
Later
Slow down, seek agreement
During the war he says the right thing now is to reach a compromise with the Justice Minister's offer, and that the reform will be renewed after the war.
"הדבר הנכון כעת הוא להגיע לפשרה"
Our translation The right thing now is to reach a compromise.
Source סמוטריץ' הודיע שברצונו לחדש את הרפורמה המשפטית (וואלה) (as reported by news.walla.co.il)
1 year, 8 months later
Latest
Push the reform through
Launching a plan with MK Rotman for the next term, he says that after cancelling the reasonableness standard and reducing the Attorney General's power, it is time to complete the repair.
"אחרי ביטול עילת הסבירות וצמצום כוח היועמ״ש - הגיע הזמן להשלים את התיקון."
Our translation After cancelling the reasonableness standard and reducing the Attorney General's power, it is time to complete the repair.
Context: The Netanyahu government launched its judicial plan in January 2023; the reasonableness standard was cancelled by law in July 2023.
Netanyahu as prime minister
Then
Doubts Netanyahu's leadership
Reacting to a court ruling banning a gender-separated event in Afula, he writes on Facebook that Netanyahu is a weak prime minister, that the lunacy happens on his watch, with zero leadership and zero governance.
"ראש ממשלה חלש שמאה אחוז מהטרלול הזה מתרחש במשמרת שלו. אפס מנהיגות. אפס משילות."
Our translation A weak prime minister, a hundred percent of this lunacy happens on his watch. Zero leadership. Zero governance.
Source סמוטריץ' נגד נתניהו: "ראש ממשלה חלש, אפס מנהיגות, טרלול במשמרתו" (ynet) (as reported by ynet.co.il)
1 year, 7 months later
Later
Backs Netanyahu as PM
After the 2021 election, he states that he supports a right-wing government headed by Netanyahu, whom 30 seats chose directly.
"אני כידוע תומך בממשלת ימין בראשות נתניהו. בחרו בו באופן ישיר 30 מנדטים."
Our translation As is known, I support a right-wing government headed by Netanyahu. 30 seats chose him directly.
Source סמוטריץ: "פונה לבנט - כל המלצה שהיא לא נתניהו תקרב לממשלת שמאל" (מעריב) (as reported by maariv.co.il)
4 years, 4 months later
Latest
Doubts Netanyahu's leadership
After the cabinet decision to take Gaza City and the central camps, he writes on his own X account that he has lost trust that the prime minister can and wants to lead the IDF to decisive victory.
"לצערי בישיבת הקבינט האחרונה איבדתי את האמון שראש הממשלה יכול ורוצה להוביל את צה"ל להכרעה וניצחון."
Our translation Unfortunately, in the last cabinet meeting I lost the trust that the prime minister can and wants to lead the IDF to decisive victory.
Context: Smotrich sat in Netanyahu's governments from 2022 and stayed in the government after the August 2025 post.