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David Bitan

Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote in the party primaries at a polling station in Tel Aviv, on August 10, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90/File)
July 19, 2026, 9:03 pm
Likud grants Netanyahu 8 slots on Knesset list, option to nix primary in wartime
Key panel authorizes PM to convene committee of Likud mayors to choose list if security conditions prevent primary vote; MK Bitan accuses panel chair of harming party’s democracy
By Ariela Karmel and Stav Levaton
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe hostage rescue, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/ Flash90)
July 13, 2026, 9:56 pm
Six of top 20: Likud okays plan to give Netanyahu more power over party’s electoral slate
In compromise with Likud Constitution Committee, PM to handpick candidates for slots 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 31; party expected to win some 20-25 seats in October elections
By Charlie Summers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a memorial ceremony for Zionist leader Theodor Herzl at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on July 5, 2026. (Alex Kolomoisky/POOL)
July 9, 2026, 3:32 pm
Likud lawmakers said increasingly worried Netanyahu will skip holding primaries
MK warns that if the prime minister moves to form a selection committee to choose the party’s ticket, there will be ‘immediate political consequences’
By ToI Staff
Knesset Economics Affairs Committee, led by chairman MK David Bitan discusses compensation for airlines who suffered losses, and passengers whose flights were cancelled during the US-Israel war with Iran, May 10, 2026. (Courtesy of Knesset Economics Committee)
May 10, 2026, 10:13 pm
Knesset panel demands state help cover losses to passengers and airlines during Iran war
Request comes as major European and US airlines still avoiding Israel after Iran ceasefire came into effect, weighing future flight operations
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative: A ZIM container ship at the Haifa port, November 14, 2011. (Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
February 22, 2026, 9:17 pm
Knesset panel flags national security fears over Zim’s sale to German shipping rival
Lawmakers caution that Zim played a vital role for Israel’s economy and security during the war, including with emergency logistics and national military and security planning
By Sharon Wrobel
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends a Knesset plenum session in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 30, 2025, 11:55 am
Coalition prepares to set up special panel to advance stormy media regulation bill
Likud MK David Bitan, who heads Knesset body that would usually consider bill, slams special committee as ‘cheapening’ democracy; bill would increase government control over press
By Charlie Summers and ToI Staff
Illustrative: The empty departure hall at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv after Israel closed its airspace to takeoff and landing following strikes on Iran, June 13, 2025. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)
August 11, 2025, 7:39 pm
‘It’s a scandal’: Israel refuses to fully compensate passengers stranded by Iran war
Finance Ministry dismisses plan to compensate Israelis whose flights were nixed due to closure of airspace, sparking a dispute over who should bear the cost of damages
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative: Stranded Israelis wait in a standby queue at Heathrow Airport in London to try and get seats on an El Al flight departing for Tel Aviv, on June 25, 2025. (Courtesy)
July 7, 2025, 5:09 pm
Government agrees it must help pay costs borne by travelers, airlines due to Iran war
Economic Affairs Committee head demands plan within 10 days for compensating passengers stranded when Israeli airspace closed, without putting the whole burden on airlines
By Sharon Wrobel
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi at a committee meeting at the Knesset, June 24, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
July 7, 2025, 10:03 am
Karhi rejects High Court order to extend term of public broadcaster council member
Communications minister says ‘unlawful’ order ‘will not be honored,’ says he will fill Kan broadcaster’s vacant council seats; council cannot operate until empty spots filled
By Jeremy Sharon
Chairman of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee MK David Bitan presides over a hearing on flight arrangements following the launch of Operation Rising Lion, June 23, 2025. (Noam Moskowitz, Office of the Knesset Spokesperson)
June 23, 2025, 10:52 pm
Knesset committee chair rebukes airlines for price hikes on stranded Israelis
Bitan says he won’t approve potential liability reduction for Arkia, Israir, as they’ve been ‘extorting the public’ following launch of attack on Iran
By Jeremy Sharon
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, during a discussion in the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, December 18, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
February 24, 2025, 8:37 pm
Effort to remove AG will start in next few weeks, claims communications minister
Shlomo Karhi says ‘an actual impeachment process will begin’ in 2-3 weeks, but spokesman for Justice Minister Levin says he doesn’t know ‘anything new about the matter’
By Sam Sokol
Likud MK David Bitan chairs a meeting of the Knesset Economic Committee, January 15, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 15, 2025, 5:49 pm
Criticizing own party, Likud MK blocks bill to shutter public broadcaster
‘Public broadcasting is needed in Israel,’ David Bitan declares, criticizing ‘those in Likud who are causing damage to the party for the sake of politics’
By Sam Sokol
Illustrative: Passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport on October 31, 2024. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
January 2, 2025, 11:20 pm
Israel to cut travelers’ flight cancellation compensation to woo back foreign airlines
MKs advance measure under which passengers will be entitled only to a refund of ticket cost; government also announces plan to assist airlines operating US flights
By Sharon Wrobel
Passengers stand in line at Ben Gurion Airport during a nationwide strike demanding the government reach a hostage release deal, September 2, 2024. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)
December 9, 2024, 10:08 pm
Knesset panel delays vote on compensation policy changes to bring back foreign airlines
Committee head demands steadfast commitment that carriers will resume their services; lambastes war profiteering by Israeli airlines
By Sharon Wrobel
David Bitan, chairman of the Knesset Economics Committee (c) at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on November 11, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 12, 2024, 11:13 am
Likud MK David Bitan orders relative of dead hostage ejected from Knesset meeting
Chair of Economics Committee clashes with Hannah Cohen, aunt of slain captive Inbar Haiman, over her lengthy address; other lawmakers block his move to have her kicked out
By ToI Staff
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