Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, marking their second meeting in recent months after a long hiatus. The talks occurred against the backdrop of political tensions in Israel, as Smotrich has publicly opposed a ceasefire with Hamas that would end the conflict in Gaza and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages. During the meeting, Bessent urged Smotrich to fully support President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan for the region, according to an official statement from the United States Treasury.