Bezalel Smotrich is expected to push for Washington’s support for West Bank annexation [Getty]
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrived in the United States on Wednesday on a short visit to “strengthen economic cooperation” and bilateral ties between the two countries.
The far-right minister’s visit comes ahead of an expected announcement from US President Donald Trump on the United States’ stance on the future of the occupied West Bank.
Smotrich has advocated for the annexation of the Palestinian territory, and the continuation of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Smotrich met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington D.C on Wednesday, with a joint statement later saying the two officials “reaffirmed the strong and enduring commitment of both nations to a strategic economic partnership. Their discussions highlighted the importance of deepening economic cooperation, fostering innovation, and strengthening financial and trade ties”.
The Israeli minister also thanked Trump for his support for Israel’s war on Gaza, where more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Smotrich’s visit to the US marks a change in policy towards the far-right minister in Washington, where the previous Biden administration had considered sanctions against him amid moves against individuals and entities destabilising the occupied West Bank.
Smotrich, along with former minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has openly called for the resettlement of Gaza by Israelis, as well as the annexation of the occupied West Bank.
Ahead of his trip to the US on Wednesday, Smotrich left behind a growing coalition crisis with ultra-Orthodox parties who say they have been denied promised 2025 budget allocations.
The parties, which could bring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government down if they left the coalition, say the funds were agreed on with Smotrich but the full amount was not added to the main, long-delayed 2025 budget.
