newsMar 28, 202511:13pending

Why did Israel restart the war? One answer: Bezalel Smotrich.

About this episode

Bezalel Smotrich's views were once fringe in Israel. He's an ultranationalist West Bank settler, who has repeatedly called for Israel to resettle the Gaza Strip.

Today, as finance minister, he's a key figure influencing the future of Israel's war against Hamas.

NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi has the story of Smotrich's rise to power in Israel politics.

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Why did Israel restart the war? One answer: Bezalel Smotrich.

About this episode

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