Politics

Data released by the Prime Minister's Office details 2025 expenses for Benjamin Netanyahu and his entourage's visits to the US, including luxury hotels, "Wing of Zion" flights, and grooming costs.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is advancing 12 career ambassadorial appointments ahead of elections, drawing criticism from ministry officials over timing while authorities defend the routine process.

The Central Election Committee omitted Channel 14 from its voter information broadcast schedule for the upcoming Knesset elections, initially blaming the law before citing a technical error.

Omri Ronen, a candidate for "The Democrats" and former military commander, criticized the film "Collateral Damage" for its portrayal of IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, calling its depictions inaccurate.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow Jewish visits to the Temple Mount on Saturdays, sparking a High Court debate.

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and Be-yachad chairman Naftali Bennett met to discuss electoral strategy, bloc unity, and securing a 61-seat majority.

The High Court of Justice criticized state authorities over enforcement failures regarding settler takeover of Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, prompting condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Benny Gantz revealed on a podcast that he attempted to call Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Jewish New Year, but received no response from his office.

"Otzma Yehudit" has declared that a full judicial reform will be a strict condition for joining the next government, following a High Court ruling regarding a memorial event.

Channel 14 panelist and former MK Estherina Tartman has passed away at the age of 54 following a battle with illness. Tributes poured in from colleagues remembering her public service.

Former Knesset member Esterina Tartman has died at the age of 68. She served as a Yisrael Beytenu lawmaker from 2006 to 2009 and withdrew her 2007 ministerial nomination following resume controversies.

Likud petitioned the Central Election Committee to halt the Fly&Vote initiative, alleging illegal voter incentives for Israelis abroad.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir faced sharp criticism and a vocal confrontation during a pre-election campaign visit to the Bedouin village of Bir Hadaj on Wednesday.

The Knesset Constitution Committee discussed a reform exempting small businesses from class actions and requiring prior notice before court filings.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi has issued a legal warning to Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! party over a campaign claim alleging Karhi fled in an armored vehicle on October 7.

Knesset legal adviser Sagit Afik maintains a repeat vote must be held for state comptroller following Supreme Court orders, amidst a political standoff led by Speaker Amir Ohana.

The High Court of Justice will hear a Shas petition against the postponement of a state-funded memorial conference for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef until after the October 27 elections, following an Attorney General ruling.

Hostage survivor Rom Braslavski sharply criticized "The Democrats" leader Yair Golan for comparing a controversial film to the October 7 massacres to attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Clalit and the Ministry of Health are locked in a Supreme Court battle over confidential testimonies compiled by an investigative committee examining governance flaws at the healthcare provider.

A Tel Aviv court ordered commentator Yaakov Bardugo and Channel 14 to pay 75,000 shekels to retired Col. Yossi Langotsky for defamatory statements.

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman responded to political newcomer Ofer Winter by launching a sharp critique against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the October 7 massacre.

A new Channel 14 poll shows the right-wing bloc maintaining 64 mandates ahead of the upcoming elections. Likud leads with 30 mandates, while Netanyahu retains a strong lead in suitability for prime minister.

Prime Minister Netanyahu's push to boost the 2026 defense budget by 40 billion shekels faces political hurdles as the opposition demands cuts to coalition funds amid upcoming elections.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejected the Police Commissioner's request to create a new high-ranking strategic advisor position, citing potential command conflicts and unnecessary public spending.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat faces potential fines after self-funding his Likud primary campaign with 730,000 shekels, nearly double the legal spending cap.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich challenged Gadi Eisenkot and Benny Gantz to publish their own judicial platforms following fierce backlash over a controversial AI-generated reform campaign video.

The Religious Zionism party sparked intense backlash by releasing an AI-generated video showing top legal officials arrested, as leaders Bezalel Smotrich and Simcha Rothman unveiled a sweeping judicial overhaul plan ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Itim organization petitioned the Central Election Committee to disqualify Shas candidate Amos Dror from the Knesset race, citing his failure to resign from his senior post at the Haifa Religious Council 100 days prior to the elections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yair Lapid discussed defense budget expansion with Accountant General Michal Abadi-Boiangiu as the military faces a 25 billion shekel gap.

A week after Likud and Religious Zionism agreed on a surplus-vote pact, the agreement remains unsigned, sparking speculation over potential political maneuvering by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Families of October 7 victims, hostages, and fallen IDF soldiers are holding a joint press conference in Tel Aviv titled "Opening the October 7 File" to demand accountability ahead of the upcoming elections.

Israeli political parties have received state election funding advances totaling millions of shekels. Likud secured 37 million shekels, while Yesh Atid received 32 million as parties prepare for the upcoming Knesset elections.

A sharp budgetary conflict between the Ministry of Finance and defense officials has stalled billions in military funding, threatening education and welfare budgets as political disputes mount.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai are locked in a fierce dispute over senior appointments and frozen police budgets ahead of elections.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz rejected calls to withdraw from the upcoming elections, vowing to serve as a national arbiter to form a broad unity government.

Australia's ABC network highlights former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's upcoming October 2026 elections amid deep societal shifts.

The High Court of Justice dismissed a petition demanding braille voting stencils for blind citizens in the upcoming Knesset elections, citing procedural delays and logistical constraints.

Yosef Haddad from Amech Yisrael criticized Likud's decision to target Ofer Winter's party, warning it could cost the right wing the upcoming elections.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu sparked controversy at a Tel Aviv high school election panel by stating he would not want anti-government protesters drafted into combat roles, questioning their willingness to fight.

Bereaved families and parents have demanded that Israeli party leaders clarify their positions on the Oslo Accords and the division of the West Bank ahead of the elections.