Politics

The party court president, former MK Michael Kleiner, was privy to the surprising reservation of spots for Israel Katz and Haim Katz. As someone usually considered an oppositionist in the movement, he actually assisted the Prime Minister, and according to him, not for the first time: "We found all sorts of creative ways that provided a democratic veneer." To the claim that state security was used...

After supporting laws on draft evasion and exemption from arrests, the Minister of Finance claims that a "condition for entering the next government" will be his plan for "reducing reserve duty days to only 30 per year by 2027" - which relies, among other things, on the conscription of Haredim. Smotrich: "I presented the plan to the army, they told me, 'We don't manage the Treasury for you'."

The Minister of Economy addresses in an interview with Walla the reports about attempts to replace Netanyahu after October 7: "Absolute fake news." Barkat accuses media figures of trying to harm him ahead of the primaries, but refuses to commit to a libel lawsuit against Amit Segal and is not willing to take a polygraph test.

In January 2025, after Otzma Yehudit left the government, Itamar Ben Gvir was offered to join a constructive vote of no confidence to oust the Prime Minister, with the promise of "any portfolio you want." The Minister of National Security refused, called Benjamin Netanyahu, and reported the plot.

Dr. Yoav Heller presented the demands of the party in the spirit of the "Fourth Quarter" for full partnership in determining the electoral list. Negotiations with Gilad Erdan have encountered significant difficulties regarding influence over candidate selection. Heller emphasized the necessity of integrating civil society leaders into the political arena.

Will this stir echoes in London? The prime minister took a swipe at Britain in a podcast, hinting at past remarks by JD Vance. “Someone said the first Islamic Republic with nuclear weapons will be Britain. We are concerned that there won’t be another one here, in Iran.”

Likud MK Tally Gotliv stirred up an online storm following an unusual statement at a recent home gathering. While urging right-wing voters to participate in the upcoming elections, she described the government of which her party is a member as a "mediocre government."

The Likud party has appealed to the State Comptroller, claiming that the public support of KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky for Gadi Eisenkot and the "Yashar!" party constitutes an "illegal contribution" by KKL-JNF to the election campaign. Ostrinsky strongly rejected the claims, arguing that it is "one of the most baseless and delusional claims I have ever encountered."

Minister Ze'ev Elkin discussed the upcoming Likud primaries with journalists. When asked why Gideon Sa'ar did not reserve a spot for him on the party list, Elkin explained that the decision was part of a strategy to allow Sa'ar to focus on his role as Foreign Minister.

Zvika Yehezkeli publicly expressed support for Dr. Edy Cohen ahead of the Likud primaries: "Whoever can help him and support him – I give my recommendation." Cohen: "One must know how the enemy thinks."

Against the backdrop of complaints from families of the wounded regarding department staff, the Knesset member from the Democrats visited Rambam Hospital to see hospitalized IDF soldiers. He stated: "The healthcare system is a model of coexistence. We will not allow small-time politicians to poison Israeli life with ugly racism."

The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, issued a temporary injunction to remove a video of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu filmed at the Malha Mall in Jerusalem. The petition claims the video violates the prohibition on using children in election propaganda.

Tensions in the Palestinian village of Qusra led Knesset candidate Nimrod Shafer to call for the dismissal of Central Command chief Avi Bluth. Shafer deleted the tweet, but the Democrats called on candidates to moderate their messaging. And what was the surprising position of the Arab candidate?

The Prime Minister was a guest on the podcast "Melech Be-Laitzer Chaim" (King of Life Production) hosted by Avi Hirsh, the father of Reef, who fell in Gaza. Hirsh is waging a campaign to bring a child into the world using his son's sperm to fulfill his will. Netanyahu shared that if he could, he would have brought a child from the sperm of his brother, the hero of Operation Entebbe: "Yes, I would...

Otzma Yehudit responded sharply today (Thursday) to the joint announcement by Yoav Sagalovitz and Mansour Abbas regarding the talks taking place between the two, claiming it is a "fire sale of the Jewish state with the cooperation of the Left." The party claimed that Abbas is trying, through Sagalovitz, to gain influence over the Ministry of National Security and government policy in the Negev and...

Knesset members Mansour Abbas and Yoav Sagalovitz held a meeting to discuss the possibility of Sagalovitz joining the Ra'am party list for the upcoming elections. The two agreed to continue direct contacts, a move that drew sharp condemnation from the Otzma Yehudit party.

Changes to the primaries and reserved spots in Likud are causing frustration among MKs and candidates, some of whom have approached Gilad Erdan's circle to explore joining "Ha-Achdut" (Unity). His circle clarified that those joining will be required to commit to the party's core principles.

Beit El Council head, Shai Alon, claimed that the blockade is an "irreversible damage to Israel and the settlement movement." He told ynet that the "lost youth" responsible for the violence "are in the areas of Ben Gvir and Son Har-Melech" - and absolved Smotrich and the IDF of responsibility. Yesha Council head: "There is no justification for violence against uninvolved people or security...

MK Alon Schuster of the National Unity party published a post challenging the strategy of his party chairman, Benny Gantz. While Gantz insists solely on establishing a "broad Zionist government," Schuster proposes a two-stage model: first remove Netanyahu, and only then establish a stable government.

The Likud party published today, Thursday, the final list of candidates ahead of the primaries taking place this coming Monday. The publication follows the withdrawal of all petitions last night, ending a complex legal crisis that threatened to postpone the movement's internal elections.

A surprise in the official ballot for the Likud primaries: the name of MK Eliyahu Revivo is missing from the list of candidates. Knowledgeable sources claim that Revivo, who was preparing to run, finally decided not to enter the race.

Ali Shami, 48, won the tender for the position of permits officer and will attend the Israel Police officer training course. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana congratulated him: "This is a moving moment and a source of great pride."

According to a report in the New York Post, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung is a leading candidate to replace outgoing press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Cheung has been a close advisor to Donald Trump since 2016.

Raviv Drucker delivered a sharp monologue against Ahmad Tibi, who has served in the Knesset for 27 years, but faced backlash from a 'The Patriots' panelist for expressing personal affection toward the politician. Yotam Zimri stated: 'Ahmad Tibi is a terrible person who served as Yasser Arafat's advisor.'

Behind the scenes of the inauguration of the maternity ward in East Jerusalem, an unusual confrontation took place: Netanyahu's office sought to prevent an incident with the UAE, but Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir insisted that senior Palestinian Authority officials not participate — until direct intervention from the Emiratis.

In a special interview ahead of the start of the school year, Minister of Education Yoav Kisch summarizes his term, talks about the challenges the ongoing war has posed to the system, about his criticism of the Meitzav exam system, and explains why he fell in love with the role.

Until now, you have heard about him mainly through videos on social networks. You may have even come across another video of his about the cost of living that exploded in your feed, or another attack on banks, monopolies, or politicians. But behind the videos and big promises is a person who is now asking for one thing — real political power.

Following stormy reports about attempts to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Minister of Economy launches a sharp attack against the media and publishes the recordings that reveal the truth behind the quote that caused an uproar.

A Channel 13 poll shows Gadi Eisenkot's 'Yashar!' party leading with 23 mandates against 21 for Likud. Eisenkot also leads Netanyahu in suitability for Prime Minister (47% to 34%), and the opposition bloc reaches 60 mandates when joined by Tropper and Hendel.

A Channel 13 poll shows significant shifts in the political map: Gadi Eisenkot's party takes the lead, Likud weakens, and the gap regarding suitability for Prime Minister widens.

The chairman of the Yashar! party attacks his opponents in an interview with Keren Marciano on N12, claiming that anyone who thinks it is possible to be prime minister with six or ten mandates is "mistaken and endangers the replacement of the government." In the interview, he also addresses those who attacked his children: "They are very successful."

Channel 14 News reported on Wednesday regarding a sponsored social media campaign urging Israelis to pressure those abroad to vote in the elections. The project is backed by an NGO named "Bou" ("Come").

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Boaz Bismuth, addressed in an interview with the C14 web program, "On the way to the ballot box with Dana Varon," the painful event where he was forced to interrupt his shiva to attend a Knesset vote. Bismuth was summoned to vote in favor of the "frozen funds" law, which was essential for passing the state budget.

The Likud party published a sharp response to the statements of Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, accusing him of knowingly lying and demonstrating incompetence regarding security matters. The party refuted Lieberman's claims regarding agreements with Hamas, IDF deployment in the Gaza Strip, and the extent of American influence on Israeli military decisions.

High-tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky may face a multi-million dollar "exit tax" to US authorities if elected to the Knesset. To be sworn in as a member of parliament, he must renounce his American citizenship.

Minister Shlomo Karhi called on citizens living abroad to refrain from coming to Israel to vote in the elections, claiming the left is "trying to bring in masses." Israelis living abroad responded with sharp criticism, emphasizing their deep connection to the country and their sense of responsibility for its future.

Contacts between former Shas chairman Eli Yishai and Haredi Tzibur party leader Moti Leitner are intensifying with the involvement of senior rabbis. Polls indicate Yishai enjoys over 70% support among modern Haredim, posing a potential threat to Shas.

As in every election campaign, new parties are emerging to seek a platform in the Knesset. One such initiative is the 'Achi' party, which has transitioned from municipal success in Netivot to a national run.

The Minister of Finance called on the Prime Minister to take advantage of Abu Mazen's visit to Turkey to ban his re-entry into the West Bank. In response, a senior official in the Authority claims that this is election propaganda by the right, but warns that a series of Israeli measures is intended to bring about the collapse of the Authority.

In the podcast "The Wizard and His Sons," Eyal Berkovic stated he would prefer the role of Prime Minister over coaching the national football team, citing a desire to address social injustices, particularly for soldiers suffering from PTSD.