By Steven Scheer
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a right-winger kept at arms length by Washington under former President Joe Biden, will meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington next Wednesday, Smotrich’s spokesman said on Thursday.
Smotrich went to Washington in March 2023 to meet with leaders of Israel’s U.S.-based government bonds programme but did not meet any officials from Biden’s administration.
The pro-settler Smotrich had clashed with Biden officials, including then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, over aid and banking arrangements for the Palestinian territories.
Smotrich has praised President Donald Trump, including over a decision to lift sanctions imposed under Biden against Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
(Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Peter Graff)
