Israeli politics

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu delivers an election campaign speech from inside a modified delivery truck with a side wall replaced with bulletproof glass, in Beersheba, southern Israel, September 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

September 15, 2022, 12:29 pm

Wooing voters, Netanyahu campaigns aboard a bulletproof ‘Bibibus’

The former prime minister, famed for his flair for the dramatic, drums up support ahead of November elections with a new shtick

By Ilan Ben Zion and Sam McNeil

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (left) with opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu at a Knesset session in memory of Israel's first prime minister David Ben-Gurion, on November 8, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

September 15, 2022, 12:16 pm

Political deadlock unchanged in new poll, with Netanyahu bloc at 59 seats

Far-right Religious Zionism seen as third-largest party, on 13 seats; Ayelet Shaked still failing to clear electoral threshold after partnering with Jewish Home, Channel 13 survey shows

By TOI staff

Rocker Aviv Geffen is going public with his political about-face in August 2022, performing in settlements that he previously criticized (Courtesy YouTube screengrab)

August 30, 2022, 11:32 am

Rocker Aviv Geffen changes his tune with West Bank concerts for ‘brother’ settlers

Once known as a voice of the political left linked to Rabin’s legacy, singer reveals political shift with recent performances, for which he thanks right-wing minister Ayelet Shaked

By Jessica Steinberg

Opposition and Likud party leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote in Likud primaries, at a polling station in Tel Aviv on August 10, 2022,. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

August 29, 2022, 5:47 pm

Jewish Israeli voters have moved significantly rightward in recent years, data shows

Percentage of those who identify as right-wing has grown from 46% in 2019 to 62% now, with both center and left shrinking

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Officials prepare a polling station for COVID-19 patents at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa for the March 2021 election (courtesy of Rambam Medical Center)

August 12, 2022, 3:21 pm

Poll: Chaos aside, majority of Israelis think political system handled pandemic well

Pew survey also shows many Israelis think COVID crisis left the country more divided — though results lower than in many other nations

By Nathan Jeffay

Zehava Galon speaks at a launch event of the 'Mehazkim' movement in Tel Aviv on August 24, 2018. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

July 16, 2022, 12:25 am

Former Meretz chief Zehava Galon to launch fresh bid to lead party — report

According to Kan, the ex-chairwoman has been convinced by officials that her return to leadership could be key to the party’s survival

By TOI staff

Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg attends a discussion regarding violence in Arab society on May 23, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 15, 2022, 2:20 pm

MK Zandberg to take political time out, in latest resignation from left-wing Meretz

Former party chair commits to serving out term as environmental protection minister, but says she’s ready to depart political ‘wheel of fame’

By Michael Horovitz

Deputy Religious Affairs Minister MK Matan Kahana attends a discussion at the Knesset, in Jerusalem on June 15, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

July 13, 2022, 3:28 pm

Yamina’s Kahana calls on Ayelet Shaked to rule out ‘narrow’ Netanyahu government

Deputy religious services minister advocates for wide coalition, says it would be ‘a grave mistake’ if his party leader awarded Netanyahu the premiership

By Michael Horovitz

Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich, left, and Itamar Ben Gvir of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party at an election campaign tour at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on March 19, 2021(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 12, 2022, 1:02 pm

Smotrich rejects Ben Gvir criticism, urges him to run in Religious Zionism primary

‘We are shaping up to be the third-largest slate. Let us unite into one party,’ far-right party leader says, while noting ‘ideological difference’ with his rival/partner

By Tobias Siegal and TOI staff

Gideon Sa'ar (left) and Benny Gantz at a Justice Minister ceremony on June 14, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90/File)

July 12, 2022, 1:02 am

Polls see Gantz-Sa’ar party as Israel’s 3rd largest, but election deadlock unbroken

Netanyahu promises ‘full peace agreement’ with Saudi Arabia if elected; Druze Likud MK fumes at low slot for ‘minorities’ representative; Hendel in talks with Shaked

By TOI staff

Otzma Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben Gvir speaks during a press conference ahead of the upcoming elections, in Jerusalem, July 11, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 11, 2022, 7:17 pm

Ben Gvir urges far-right allies to merge, but seeks bigger slice of nationalist pie

Otzma Yehudit leader issues plea to Bezalel Smotrich to again run on joint slate, says positions in combined list should be selected by research into public support

By Tobias Siegal

Head of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, on Jerusalem Day, May 29, 2022. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)

July 8, 2022, 10:57 am

Poll shows Netanyahu-led bloc winning 61 seats, enabling government formation

Latest election survey shows both Yamina and Meretz falling short of entering Knesset, while Likud nabs 36 seats and Yesh Atid 23

By TOI staff

MK Mansour Abbas, left, leads a discussion and a vote on a bill to dissolve the Knesset on June 29, 2022; Rabbi Haim Drukman attends the campaign launch of the right-wing Yamina party on February 12, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90); (Tomer Neuberg/FLASH90)

July 6, 2022, 1:51 pm

Top right-wing rabbi came close to endorsing Likud-led coalition with Ra’am – report

New details from meeting last year suggest Netanyahu sought Haim Druckman’s approval for a government with Mansour Abbas and his Islamist party, before Smotrich thwarted effort

By Tobias Siegal

Labor party leader Merav Michaeli attends a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 27, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

July 5, 2022, 6:23 am

Labor’s Michaeli won’t nix sitting with ultra-Orthodox, rules out merger with Meretz

Transportation minister says main problem cooperating with Haredi parties is that they have ‘chained themselves’ to Netanyahu

By TOI staff

Welfare Minister Meir Cohen (left) with MK Moshe Gafni at the wedding for Gafni's granddaughter Tamar Brecher, July 3, 2022 (screenshot: Twitter, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the copyright law)

July 4, 2022, 5:05 pm

Israeli lawmakers unite for one evening at wedding for MK Gafni’s granddaughter

Nuptials attended by lawmakers from parties across political spectrum; Haredi public outraged after Labor’s Merav Michaeli is filmed dancing with bride

By Tobias Siegal