Politics

Following reports on secret negotiations and Yoav Saglovich's resignation from Yesh Atid, the Ra'am party is gauging public opinion. Mansour Abbas stated that decisions regarding reserved spots will be made by a special forum after the primaries, and dismissed rumors of a name change as "fake news."

The State of Israel is heading to elections, and Globes' "Mashrokit" (Whistle) brings the latest polls from all media outlets. Who is strengthening, who is weakening, and how does it affect the balance of power between the camps? With the mandate picture static, the political arena is looking at one specific move.

Likud spokesperson Guy Levy claimed that Gadi Eisenkot pushed for stopping the war and for the IDF to withdraw from Gaza. Media consultant Rani Rahav attacked him sharply, accused him of lying, and wrote: "Your children are ashamed of you."

The small ups and downs of the parties are mostly noise. The truly important sound comes from the Israelis who move between the blocs and hold enough votes to change the election picture. And how do the undecided behave in the end?

Minister of Education Yoav Kisch attempted to dismiss the director of the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation (RAMA), Dr. Gal Alon. The Civil Service Commission rejected the request, stating there were no grounds for an investigation.

The Central Elections Committee will hold a special meeting with Knesset faction leaders to address a delegitimization campaign against its members. The committee aims to present risks and strategies for countering undue influence on the upcoming elections.

During an election campaign at Metzitzim Beach, Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot engaged in a discussion with right-wing activist Mordechai David. When asked about his stance on a deal with Hamas following the October 7 massacre, Eisenkot replied that he only engages with those who have performed military service.

Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot was filmed in a heated exchange with right-wing activist Mordechai David at the beach. Eisenkot refused to engage with David's political provocations, stating he only cooperates with those who have served in the IDF.

The party sent a sharp preliminary response ahead of the interviews to be broadcast tonight with the former chief of staff of the Netanyahu office, Yoav Horowitz. In the interviews, Horowitz is expected to reveal the demand to have employees sign a loyalty pledge to the Netanyahu family, and about his relationship with the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded an additional 50 billion shekels for the defense "strengthening package," sparking outrage from the Ministry of Finance amid ongoing inter-ministerial tensions.

The forum demands the rehabilitation and development of the North within the framework of coalition agreements and the next government's plans. Among the demands: investment in infrastructure, education, and health, creating growth engines, and strengthening personal security. "Strengthening the North is a national interest of the first order."

Businessman Roni Mane met with Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot to express his support amid media criticism. Mane issued sharp statements against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and refuted rumors regarding Eisenkot's stance on the ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

Likud has targeted Eisenkot and has since been trying to undermine his image as a right-winger, but the campaign has not shrunk Eisenkot so far; on the contrary. The attacks only place him at the center of the arena and strengthen him in the polls. Now comes the next stage of the campaign: not just asking who Eisenkot is - but with whom will he form a government?

The chairman of "The Democrats," Yair Golan, informed Einav Zangauker, mother of a former hostage and a prominent protest activist, that he has decided not to use his reserved spot option for her.

A senior official of the "Yashar" party hinted that his party is targeting "defectors" from the Netanyahu bloc and claimed that Eizenkot will not form a government relying on Mansour Abbas. The son of a "Likud prince" also criticized the party's current state and shared insights from his time at the Ministry of Finance.

Israel Katz left in the middle of a security discussion to attend an event for a Likud associate, against the backdrop of the party's primaries. The Prime Minister was unaware of the minister's whereabouts and asked about him during the meeting. His office stated that he held a series of security discussions and does not detail his participation in forums.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met with the new President of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, one day before his official inauguration. The meeting took place at the President's office in the city of Barranquilla, after he invited Sa'ar for a meeting and a private lunch.

Gantz agreed to a quadruple leadership, Shaked had no intention of joining Erdan, and Edelstein made his move. If they are counting on the Gideon Sa'ar scenario, they may be in for a rude awakening: this path could lead to a total collapse or a forced merger with another party.

A Maariv poll indicates stability in the mandate map: the coalition remains with 49 mandates, and the Zionist opposition with 57. Most of the public opposes joining Ra'am to the coalition and the proposed arrangement in Gaza.

According to the "Ha-Yom" poll, almost all party supporters attach importance to the list and not just its leader. The public supports the IDF Chief of Staff from both the right and left, but is divided regarding the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense. The poll also reveals a lack of trust in agreements with Hamas.

The father of the late Shani Louk, who was kidnapped and murdered at the Nova festival on October 7, confronted the Minister of Transport during a primary election tour at the Mahane Yehuda market. Likud activists attacked back: "You are trash, do not make provocations."

Sderot of 2026 is not Sderot of 2022: residents experienced 7/10 firsthand, thousands were evacuated, returned to a rehabilitated city, and their numbers have surged. Likud traditionally wins an overwhelming majority here, and during a tour of the city, great loyalty to Benjamin Netanyahu is still evident because "you don't change a galloping horse," but many residents also have sharp criticism...

MK Yoav Segalovitz, a former Deputy Minister of Public Security and a member of Yesh Atid since 2019, announced his resignation from the Knesset on Thursday evening. In his statement, he thanked party leader Yair Lapid and his colleagues for their partnership and work for the State of Israel.

Channel 14 News reported on Thursday about a storm within the student union following allegations of an attempt to fund a large-scale election campaign using student money. Union Chairperson Sivan Koren proposed a program including conferences and digital media activities, which opponents argue violates the union's bylaws by using public funds for political purposes.

A new mandate poll reveals a surprising shift in the political map, with Likud recording a significant surge while the much-discussed alliance of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid struggles to gain traction, remaining far behind.

Likud Minister for Social Equality and the Advancement of the Status of Women, May Golan, commented on Thursday on Channel 14 correspondent Omri Haim's investigation, "Mansour Abbas, the Polite Jihad." Golan stated that the Ra'am chairman attacked her obsessively during the "change government" era, alleging that he and Naftali Bennett funneled billions without proper oversight.

The opposition bloc is concocting the 'Zero Hour' plan. Netanyahu might be ousted - but the alternative is completely surprising: an Ivvet-Bennett government. This is the result of the 'dominance paradox,' where the smaller you are, the greater your bargaining power.

The next election campaign is already heating up behind the scenes, as News 14 learned on Thursday that a new right-wing party is currently being formed. This is a significant political organization of well-known figures in the national camp, who aspire to present a fresh and high-quality alternative for right-wing voters.

Minister of Settlements Orit Strock (Religious Zionism) commented Thursday on the Channel 14 investigation "Mansour Abbas, the Polite Jihad." She stated that she and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were the first to warn about the ties between Mansour Abbas, the Ra'am party, and the Islamic Movement.

Minister of Education Yoav Kisch was a guest on the "Weekend" program with Yaakov Bardugo on Channel 14 last Friday, and addressed the growing tension with university heads and the expected changes in the Council for Higher Education (CHE).

The mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, a prominent figure in the hostage release protests, considered running with The Democrats. However, party chairman Yair Golan confirmed he would not use his reserved spot quota to avoid displacing candidates elected in the primaries.

Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Solberg has asked parties to propose alternative ways to encourage voter turnout following his ban on the "Elector" app. Both coalition and opposition parties have criticized the move as a "change of rules mid-game," while Likud is exploring legislative options to bypass the restriction.

Less than an hour after Israel's Ambassador to the UN and former minister Gilad Erdan announced the establishment of a new right-wing party, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz published a post that sparked interest in the political system. Gantz wrote: "Yuli, Gilad — good luck! I welcome you back to the arena and to joining the idea of the people of Israel's bloc and the establishment of a broad...

MK Zvika Fogel of the Otzma Yehudit party commented on Facebook regarding the investigation by our Arab affairs correspondent, Omri Haim, titled "Mansour Abbas - The Polite Jihad." Fogel praised the report and highlighted the importance of the struggle against the Islamic Movement for Israel's security.

Polling institutes often work in parallel with political parties as consultants, creating a potential conflict of interest that remains hidden from the public. Why were regulatory recommendations to increase transparency blocked?

MK Almog Cohen commented on Thursday on a Channel 14 investigation regarding Ra'am party chairman Mansour Abbas, calling it one of the most significant exposures in Israeli television history. According to Cohen, the report highlights the stark contrast between the messages Abbas conveys to the Israeli public and his statements in Arabic.

MK Limor Son Har-Melech of the Otzma Yehudit party commented on X regarding the investigation by Channel 14 correspondent Omri Haim, titled "Mansour Abbas - The Polite Jihad." The MK stated that in light of the findings, the Ra'am party should be disqualified from running for the Knesset.

Tally Gotliv confirmed she is running in the Likud primaries and addressed rumors regarding a possible departure abroad. Simultaneously, she spoke out against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisors, claiming they discourage her appointment as Minister of Justice.

The political system was stirred after an Israel Hayom correspondent reported, citing a Likud source, that party primaries were postponed from August 17 to August 30 due to legal proceedings. The party has issued a sharp denial.

The ruling party was scheduled to select its list representatives on August 17, but due to pending legal issues, the primaries may be pushed to the end of the month. Likud has denied these reports.