2022 Israeli elections

File: Former prime minister Ehud Barak speaks at a conference of the Gazit Institute in Tel Aviv, November 5, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

December 30, 2022, 9:18 pm

Ehud Barak: Gov’t shows ‘signs of fascism’; mass ‘non-violent revolt’ may be needed

Referencing Netanyahu, former PM says those currently on criminal trial have joined forces with ‘racist messianics’ to ‘bring down democracy’ in Israel

By ToI Staff

Likud leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with Otzma Yehudit party chief MK Itamar Ben Gvir at the Knesset on December 28, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/ Flash90)

December 29, 2022, 11:06 am

AG asks court to reject ‘premature’ suit against Ben Gvir’s appointment as minister

Gali Baharav-Miara tells High Court of Justice that because government not yet sworn in, petition deals with a theoretical and should therefore be thrown out

By ToI Staff

Likud leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset on December 19, 2022 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 29, 2022, 9:36 am

Knesset to swear in Israel’s 37th government as Netanyahu returns to power

Incoming PM and Lapid to deliver speeches in the plenum; ballot to be held over new speaker Ohana, followed by confidence vote on incoming government and its swearing-in

By ToI Staff

Religious Zionism party head MK Bezalel Smotrich (right) speaks with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu during a vote in the Knesset on December 20, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 28, 2022, 6:55 pm

In WSJ op-ed, Smotrich says new government wants to make Israel more like America

Incoming finance minister says he aims to promote free market, freedom of expression; ‘Israel’s new government isn’t what you’ve heard, he argues

By ToI Staff

Incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset on December 28, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 28, 2022, 5:08 pm

Coalition deals include discrimination bill, judicial override, immigration reform

New Netanyahu gov’t stresses exclusive Jewish rights to Land of Israel, backs annexation in principle; presents its guidelines, signed deals with partners before swearing-in Thurs.

By ToI Staff

Likud MK David Bitan seen during a vote in a Knesset plenum session in Jerusalem, December 20, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 24, 2022, 11:53 pm

Likud’s Bitan says won’t vote to end ban on racist MKs, pans concessions to allies

MK criticizes his own party for ‘only thinking of forming a government,’ says too many senior cabinet portfolios either gutted or given to intended partners

By Michael Horovitz

Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a morning walk, November 2, 2022, the morning after the Knesset elections. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 24, 2022, 9:11 pm

Exercising Netanyahu asks gym goer to ‘wait’ on judging his government

Journalist and activist recounts meeting PM-designate at training center, with him telling her not to believe reports on major concessions under coalition deals

By Michael Horovitz

Likud leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks with Religious Zionism party head MK Bezalel Smotrich during a vote in the Knesset, December 20, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 22, 2022, 1:20 pm

He won the elections over 7 weeks ago. So why is Netanyahu still not back in power?

The incoming PM’s inability to quickly bend his allies to his will, at least in those areas where he doesn’t truly share their agenda, is a portent of friction and troubles ahead

By David Horovitz

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, left, Religious Zionism party head Bezalel Smotrich and other party leaders in a group photo after the swearing-in of the 25th Knesset, November 15, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 22, 2022, 4:35 am

Religious Zionism says it agreed with Likud to advance Basic Law on Torah study

Far-right party announces that agreements have also been reached on judicial reform, amending Law of Return’s ‘grandchild clause’; Ben Gvir reportedly to get veto over some bills

By ToI Staff

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the Knesset on December 19, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 21, 2022, 6:02 am

Netanyahu set to announce he’s mustered new government ahead of midnight deadline

PM-designate must inform president by end of Wednesday that he can form majority coalition; Lapid rebuffs criticism over deal that gives Netanyahu until Jan. 2 to hold swearing-in

By ToI Staff

Otzma Yehudit party head Itamar Ben Gvir speaks during a Knesset session to debate his police regulations bill, December 20, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 20, 2022, 1:56 pm

As contentious police bill passes 1st reading, Ben Gvir says critics ‘undemocratic’

Expected incoming police minister assails rivals as ‘illiberal’; Yesh Atid MK says Otzma Yehudit chief should learn on the job before making changes

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Israelis protest against the expected incoming government at a demonstration organized by the Movement for Quality Government, in Tel Aviv on December 17, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

December 18, 2022, 8:56 am

Protest sounds alarm against emerging coalition: ‘Conversion therapy’ on democracy

Head of Movement for Quality Government in Israel tells Tel Aviv demonstrators that members of expected incoming government are ‘men of malice, convicted criminals’

By ToI Staff

Supreme Court Chief of Justice Esther Hayut and other justices at a hearing on the election committee decision to disqualify Likud party member Amichai Chikli from running in the upcoming Knesset election, October 6, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 16, 2022, 10:07 am

Report: Controversial judicial reforms left vague in draft Netanyahu coalition deal

Leaked pact includes Knesset override clause without specifying how many votes will be needed to overrule a High Court ruling; Levin said calling to lower retirement age for judges

By ToI Staff

United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni (left) and Yitzhak Goldknopf (right) sign an interim coalition deal with Likud negotiator Yariv Levin on December 6, 2022. (Courtesy)

December 14, 2022, 1:12 am

Likud, UTJ said set to tie state budget to passage of law exempting Haredim from IDF

Unsourced report says Netanyahu’s party and United Torah Judaism agree next budget won’t be approved until law is passed formalizing exemption from IDF service for yeshiva students

By ToI Staff

December 11, 2022, 8:53 am

Smotrich said to demand Likud lay out contentious judicial reform in coalition deal

Netanyahu’s party reportedly reluctant to clearly detail plans, believing it could lead to weeks of public criticism; disagreements remain with Haredi parties on conscription

By ToI Staff