Israeli politics

Former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz speaks at the annual World Zionist Conference, in Jerusalem on November 2, 2017. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

December 6, 2018, 11:10 pm

Ex-IDF chief Benny Gantz said to establish new political party

After months of rumors, former general reportedly collects 130 signatures for platform to run in upcoming Knesset elections

By Michael Bachner

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's eldest son Yair Netanyahu is seen at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court on June 5, 2018. (Flash90)

October 20, 2018, 10:24 pm

Yair Netanyahu trades barbs with TV presenter who hosted his dad’s heckler

PM’s son calls talk show anchor Ofira Assayag a ‘vulgar beast’ for interviewing woman who interrupted his father during a speech this week; Assayag then insults his mother

By TOI staff

President Reuven Rivlin (L) and Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein at the opening of the Knesset winter sitting, October 15, 2018. (Knesset)

October 15, 2018, 6:59 pm

Rivlin warns infighting is greater threat to Israel than nukes or terrorism

At Knesset, president says internal divisions in which people are tied to rigid political camps could ‘tear flag’

By TOI staff and Raoul Wootliff

June 18, 2018, 2:01 pm

Naomi Chazan

A Bedouin village can model the peace process

Israeli and Palestinian leaders should take note of the conflict in Khan al-Ahmar, and write its lessons large

June 16, 2018, 10:15 am

New report claims former IDF chief Gantz offered No. 2 spot in Zionist Union

Party head Gabbay also said to promise to name Gantz as defense minister in prospective government

By TOI staff

Former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz in May 2015 (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

June 8, 2018, 8:33 pm

Report: Former IDF chief Gantz in talks to be Zionist Union’s candidate for PM

Veteran journalist Ben Caspit says Gantz, Avi Gabbay close to agreeing on deal that will see the latter keep party chairmanship, receive top ministerial post; Gabbay denies claim

By TOI staff

May 16, 2018, 1:36 pm

Jonathan Muskat

Should I thank President Trump from the pulpit?

Synagogue rabbis aim above the political fray, but a careful expression of gratitude shouldn’t bother anyone, right?

April 23, 2018, 12:47 pm

Naomi Chazan

To instill hope, Israel has to change

To claim that any and all criticism of the Israeli government is akin to betrayal is decidedly counterproductive

April 18, 2018, 3:15 pm

Varda Spiegel

The asylum seekers and the flag

Sudanese families were dumped in my town in 2007; we welcomed them — from both ends of the political spectrum

March 30, 2018, 1:32 pm

Donniel Hartman

We free people must unite with shared purpose

We need healthy bipartisan debate on how to implement our moral commitments, given our political reality

March 21, 2018, 4:42 pm

Ex-IDF chief Gantz may enter politics, says PM fit to stay on if not indicted

Former military leader also supports term limits for PM; says ‘seriously considering’ running for Knesset in next election

By Michael Bachner

March 14, 2018, 10:21 am

Maia Morag

Sharansky’s fight for unity

Despite the Western Wall debacle, the Jewish Agency chair makes the future of the Jewish people his north star

March 1, 2018, 1:32 pm

Assaf Shapira

Israel’s civil service is under attack

Upping the government’s official influence over senior civil service posts won’t do them any favors

February 28, 2018, 1:16 pm

Naomi Chazan

The price of Netanyahu’s stay in office

Each day this lame duck PM remains in office creates distortions that will prove very costly to undo

February 1, 2018, 2:30 pm

Alon Goshen-Gottstein

Disorderly, dysfunctional: The Knesset is Oren Hazan

At a recent committee meeting, one heckling MK after another was expelled from the room