'We want them to feel at home': RZP has done 'a great deal' for olim, Smotrich tells 'Post'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, urged new immigrants to vote for the Religious Zionist Party in the upcoming election, citing tax exemptions, diploma recognition, rental assistance, and expanded Aliyah Ministry work. He also stressed the party's commitment to security, judicial reform, and economic management during the war.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post published on July 26, 2026, called on new immigrants to support his party in Israel's upcoming election. Smotrich highlighted RZP's record on aliyah, noting that the Aliyah Minister, Ofir Sofer, is from his party. He listed measures including tax exemptions for new immigrants, recognition of foreign diplomas, rental assistance, and expanded Aliyah Ministry operations. 'We want our brothers and sisters to come here and feel that this is their home,' he said. On security, Smotrich said RZP would 'put an end to the disastrous idea of dividing the land, handing over territory, and establishing a terrorist state in the heart of the Land of Israel.' He also pointed to the party's support for judicial reform, describing it as ensuring 'a real democracy, where the Knesset, the government, and the judiciary do not step on each other's toes.' As finance minister, Smotrich claimed his party 'led the economy through the longest and most expensive war in Israel's history,' resulting in 'a strong shekel, a rising stock market, and a high-tech sector breaking records.' He concluded that RZP serves all Israelis and deserves public trust.