Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich meets U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, praising unwavering American support and discussing deeper economic and regional cooperation.
Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, D.C., for a high-level meeting that underscored the unshakeable U.S.–Israel alliance and the Trump administration’s steadfast commitment to Israel’s security and prosperity.
Smotrich began the hour-long discussion by expressing Israel’s gratitude for President Donald Trump’s leadership, the successful return of the hostages, and Washington’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip — a cornerstone of Israel’s long-term security doctrine.
The two leaders explored practical strategies to expand the Abraham Accords and deepen joint efforts against terrorism and Iranian-backed aggression, agreeing that the maximum pressure campaign on Hamas must continue until the terror group’s total dismantling.
Smotrich described the talks as “warm, constructive, and rooted in genuine friendship.” He emphasized that Israel’s economy remains robust despite wartime challenges and that U.S.–Israel economic cooperation is not only stabilizing the region but paving the way for transformative opportunities in trade, innovation, and energy.
“We have true friends in Washington,” Smotrich said after the meeting. “We discussed expanding cooperation across many fields. The Israeli economy is strong and stable — and together, through shared strength and faith, we can elevate Israel and the region to new heights.”
Smotrich and Bessent also touched on the growing interest of additional Arab states in joining the Abraham Accords framework, noting that economic integration through peace built on strength could reshape the Middle East’s financial and diplomatic landscape.
The meeting reaffirmed that Jerusalem and Washington are aligned on both the moral and strategic imperatives of victory over terrorism and long-term regional stability — goals that unite both nations in what Smotrich called “a partnership of faith, freedom, and shared destiny.”
