In brief
Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's far-right finance minister, met Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, marking a significant change in U.S.-Israel relations with the Trump administration reversing the Biden-era rebukes he faced.
In a notable turnaround, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's finance minister known for his hardline stances, visited Washington for a meeting that signals a warming of U.S.-Israeli relations. The visit occurred against a backdrop of contentious views, notably from the Biden administration, which had previously denounced Smotrich for his opposition to a cease-fire in Gaza and his support for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. On Wednesday, Smotrich held talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, expressing his satisfaction over a ministerial-level engagement that had been absent for years. "After four years during which, under the Biden administration, there was no ministerial-level meeting between the U.S. Treasury Department and the Israeli government, we are now entering the Treasury Department,” Smotrich noted, deeming the meeting essential.Following their discussions, Smotrich shared a photograph of their handshake on social media, emphasizing that they had reached an agreement to enhance collaboration on various topics like economic policy, technology, and financial regulation. He stated, "This is a critical time to shape a new strategic economic future for both countries, reinforcing American global leadership and Israel’s role as a key economic partner." The meeting represents a symbolic shift in diplomatic relations, reflecting a broader realignment of U.S. policy towards Israel as the Trump administration embraces certain Israeli perspectives on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
