Politics

A storm in the "Patriots" studio: Yinon Magal and Guy Meroz clashed last night over the question of who is truly considered "left" in Israel. The argument ignited when Meroz claimed that defining Gadi Eizenkot as a leftist is a "joke," while Magal insisted that his support for a Palestinian state and his opposition to the judicial reform place him deep on the left side of the political map.

A Channel 12 News poll shows Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party tied with 23 mandates. The coalition bloc reaches only 50 mandates, while Bezalel Smotrich's party crosses the electoral threshold.

During the 'Patriots' program on Channel 14, host Inon Megel sharply criticized the media for manufacturing a storm around Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Central Command commander. Megel clarified that reports of the commander's removal were false and defended the Defense Minister's right to critique military actions.

According to a new Channel 12 News poll, Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's party would each receive 23 seats. The results highlight the intense competition between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Eisenkot.

The Prime Minister has not given up on attempts to convince the former Minister of Strategic Affairs to return to the political arena. For now, the assessment is that the chances of the move being feasible are slim - despite their close relationship, as only last week Dermer took part in the preparatory meetings held by the PM's team ahead of the meeting with Trump.

Channel 13 reported that Aviday Bachar, one of the heroes of Kibbutz Be'eri during the October 7 massacre, refused an offer for a reserved spot on the Likud list. Netanyahu also attempted to recruit former Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, but the move has not yet succeeded.

The IDF has paused strikes in the Gaza Strip amid negotiations on demilitarization. Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Struck claim the cabinet was misled regarding the details of the proposed plan.

Democrats party candidate Yaya Fink transferred hundreds of thousands of shekels from Histadrut funds to HaHalutz movement associations. Members of the movement, who hold senior positions in the party, actively promoted Fink on the party list.

Minister of Communications Dr. Shlomo Karey and 25 Knesset members have submitted an official request to Speaker Amir Ohana to convene the plenum during recess. The move follows an interim Supreme Court order freezing the recently passed Broadcasting Law.

Following the ongoing confrontations surrounding Gadi Eizenkot and the criticism from Yaakov Bardugo, journalist Barak Seri attacked on the X network and claimed that political pressure is increasing ahead of the elections.

The Knesset Speaker holds a state position by nature, but Amir Ohana chose to highlight in his campaign his hawkish struggle against the judicial system, including threats of non-compliance with Supreme Court rulings, disparaging the Supreme Court President, and boycotting the Attorney General.

Sara Netanyahu is facing a new legal storm following testimony from a former employee at the Prime Minister's residence. The Prime Minister's Office has categorically rejected these allegations.

Israelis living overseas report that all systems for verifying voting eligibility have crashed, just one day before the deadline for registration. Citizens fear arriving in Israel only to find they have been removed from the voter registry: "We pay National Insurance and cannot exercise our right." Ministry of Interior: We are aware of the problem and are considering extending the deadlines.

The uncertainty surrounding the Likud primaries continues: following a delay in the publication of the party court's ruling, the deadline for Knesset members to decide whether to run on the national list or in districts has been extended by two days. Today (Monday) was the original deadline for submission, but the lack of a decision on petitions regarding the eligibility of incumbent ministers and...

MK Gilad Kariv has warned Israelis living abroad to verify their status in the voter registry by tomorrow, citing severe administrative negligence within the Ministry of Interior.

The State notified the Supreme Court of the Prime Minister's intention to appoint an Interior Minister for the election period following a petition by the Movement for Quality Government. The State acknowledged that the lack of a permanent minister creates significant legal and practical difficulties.

The debate over the right of Israelis living abroad to vote in elections raises a fundamental question: is Israeli identity merely a matter of residential address, or is it something deeper?

Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Struck sent an urgent letter to the Prime Minister demanding an immediate Cabinet meeting to block the "Peace Council" roadmap. They argue the decision was based on false information, claiming the agreement leaves weapons in Gaza, applies Palestinian Authority law, and restricts the IDF.

Former minister Matan Kahana of the 'Yashar!' party has spoken out against the potential dismissal of senior officials, including Shin Bet head David Zini, in a future government. He emphasized that legal appointments must be respected.

The coalition and the opposition are trading blame over the failure to approve the budget for fortifying northern communities. While the sides argue, the Knesset Finance Committee is set to discuss the transfer of coalition funds.

During a Supreme Court hearing on petitions against the UNRWA law, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Knesset member Tali Gottlieb exchanged heated words with an attorney for the agency.

After announcing his decision to enter politics, Yonatan Shamriz stated that his goal is to become the Minister of Revival. Representatives for Shamriz stated that he "will not comment on personal conversations with political figures or the offers he receives."

Data revealed following a freedom of information request indicates a record in the volume of government advertising on Channel 14 in 2025. According to the data, most of the budgets came from government ministries headed by Likud ministers, and at the same time, new procedures were adopted to regulate the way advertising budgets are distributed in the future.

First publication: Netali Shem Tov met with Gilad Erdan who offered her to join his party - but she refused. According to sources, Shem Tov is seriously considering entering politics, and does not rule out the possibility of integrating into the Likud, insofar as the move is officially carried out.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman has demanded that coalition chairman Ofir Katz convene the Knesset during the summer recess to pass a universal conscription law, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent shift in position.

Defense Minister Israel Katz denied reports that he dismissed Central Command chief Avi Bluth live on air. Katz called the allegations part of a political campaign against the government.

Social entrepreneur and founder of the MTech innovation center, Yaffa Tabaja, is joining the 'Yashar!' party led by Gadi Eisenkot. The 35-year-old Tabaja has spent recent years working to promote the periphery, reduce social gaps, and integrate diverse populations into the economy and technology sectors.

The Central Elections Committee announced on Monday the opening of registration for polling station secretaries and data entry clerks for the 26th Knesset elections. Applications are being accepted until 5:00 PM on Friday, August 14, 2026. The salary for election day is 3,000 shekels gross, subject to an 18% special tax.

Shlomo Filber claimed in an interview with Yaara Zered that about four years ago, hours before exit polls were published, the studio received a call proposing coordination between pollsters, which was rejected outright.

The Ministry of Transport under Miri Regev faced significant challenges. Despite ambitious plans such as introducing Uber, establishing a Wizz Air operational center, and reforming public transport, many initiatives remain unimplemented.

As candidate lists for the Knesset are finalized, a lack of economic expertise among new candidates raises concerns about the next government's ability to address the cost of living crisis.

The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism has published a study exposing the funding mechanisms of about 20 organizations in the USA that engage in the delegitimization of Israel. The report highlights their links to terrorist entities.

A controversial statement by a well-known Hasidic singer against Avigdor Lieberman has caused an unprecedented uproar. The Yisrael Beiteinu party responded with a sharp condemnation of the incitement.

Yoav Segalovitz of Yesh Atid and Mansour Abbas of Ra'am are forming a political alliance that could alter the election landscape. This move challenges long-standing paradigms regarding the participation of Arab parties in government.

The chairman of the "Yashar!" party visited Margalit Startup City in Kiryat Shmona, met with business owners, and declared that the rehabilitation of the North would be a top priority for his future government. The visit highlighted innovation and growth activities ongoing in the Galilee since the start of the war.

After two years of service, the current spokesperson is stepping down. He will be replaced by well-known media figure Eliran Tal, who joins the Foreign Minister's office directly from Channel 14.

After the warning letter sent by the opposition leader against senior figures at Channel 14, including commentator Daniel Cohen, an official response was delivered on behalf of Cohen. The response claims that this is legitimate political criticism, while taking a jab at Lapid regarding his viewing habits.

As learned by Walla, contacts have recently taken place between senior Likud officials and Knesset member Yaron Levi. The talks included discussions on integrating Levi into the Likud list for the upcoming elections via a reserved spot.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court refuting MK Sharren Haskel's claims that she was pressured to document her vote for State Comptroller. Police have begun investigating the matter.

A new poll reveals a tie of 23 mandates between the Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's party, while the joint party of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid continues to lose ground. What is the status of the Democrats party led by Yair Golan?