Izhar Shay

January 8, 2021, 6:53 pm

After leaving Blue and White, science minister resigns from cabinet as well

Likud officials reach compromise that okays no party primaries to be held ahead of upcoming election, but would require them in any subsequent vote

By TOI staff

Izhar Shay poses at the Knesset, on April 29, 2019 (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

December 31, 2020, 2:01 pm

2 more lawmakers leave sinking Blue and White ahead of new elections

Izhar Shay, Ram Shefa join exodus from Gantz’s party; latter tells colleagues he was unable to bridge ‘deep gaps’ in outlook, says setting out on a new path

By TOI staff

(R-L) Dr. Osnat Luxenburg, Prof. Avishai Eyal, Eitan Stibbe, Prof. Orit Shefi, Prof. Ehud Bachar, Ran Livna, Eliran Hemo, Inbal Kreis, Avi Blasberger, Prof. Dan Bloomberg. (Yossi Zigler)

December 23, 2020, 4:41 pm

Scientists asked to submit experiments to be conducted by 2nd Israeli in space

Israel Space Agency will evaluate proposals for research projects for Eytan Stibbe to carry out on International Space Station

By TOI staff

An Israeli medical worker receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan near the coastal city of Tel Aviv, on December 19, 2020. (Jack Guez/AFP)

December 20, 2020, 10:37 pm

Netanyahu said to seek a third national lockdown within days

PM reportedly determined to order closure, given concerns of rising infection rates and the emergence of more virulent coronavirus strains

By Stuart Winer and TOI staff

A conceptual schematic for the Beresheet 2 lander, released to the media on December 9, 2020. (Haim Zach/GPO)

December 9, 2020, 4:56 pm

Israel launches second bid to put a lander on the moon; UAE may join

Joint SpaceIL and IAI venture will comprise orbiter and 2 landers; science minister says Emirates one of 7 countries interested in partnering on project

By TOI staff

Economy Minister Amir Peretz in Jerusalem on May 18, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 1, 2020, 8:18 am

Labor party will back vote for new elections, ending government ‘paralysis’

Economy Minister Peretz says state budget has been taken ‘hostage’ by Netanyahu, Welfare Minister Shmuli declares ‘no point in continuing’ unity coalition

By TOI staff

Benny Gantz delivers a statement to the media at the Knesset on August 24, 2020. (Oren Ben Hakoon/POOL)

November 30, 2020, 10:39 pm

Gantz said planning to back Wednesday vote to call new elections

Report claims Blue and White leader will announce decision sometime before motion comes up, but sides still may be holding out hope for compromise to stave off 4th poll in 2 years

By Michael Bachner

Defense Minister Benny Gantz visits the Jerusalem Municipality on November 10, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

November 30, 2020, 3:39 pm

Gantz ups pressure on Netanyahu as coalition teeters on brink of collapse

Blue and White head instructs party to advance contentious laws without backing of Likud in move that could bring down government; PM: ‘We’ll vote against elections, and for unity’

By Raoul Wootliff

Benny Gantz, center, and Benjamin Netanyahu, right, at the Knesset on November 10, 2020. (Shmulik Grossman/Knesset spokesperson)

November 26, 2020, 7:05 pm

Blue and White minister: ‘Good chance’ we’ll vote to dissolve Knesset next week

Second minister in Gantz’s party also confirms they’re weighing voting in favor of opposition’s no-confidence motion on Wednesday, which would topple coalition and trigger election

By TOI staff

Defense Minister Benny Gantz (left) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a vote to stave off a budget deadline and thus avert elections, at the Knesset on August 24, 2020. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Pool)

October 12, 2020, 3:42 pm

Knesset winter session opens under shadow of fresh coalition infighting

Blue and White minister claims nationwide virus lockdown forced by Netanyahu to avoid angering Haredi allies; Likud Knesset speaker slams centrist partner’s ‘populist conduct’

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the weekly cabinet meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, on July 5, 2020. (Amit Shabi/Flash90)

October 11, 2020, 12:25 pm

Coalition row deepens as Netanyahu ally calls Blue and White ‘danger to nation’

Gantz’s party dismisses Miki Zohar’s ‘blabbering’; Lapid says Monday’s no-confidence vote to replace coalition is a ‘simple decision’; Derech Eretz MK seemingly nixes possibility

By TOI staff

October 11, 2020, 4:26 am

Gantz ally: If Netanyahu calls elections ‘we’ll ensure he won’t be PM’

Minister Izhar Shay says Likud trying to bring down government by holding budget hostage; Likud’s Sa’ar quits Knesset panel, says it’s become rubber stamp

By TOI staff

September 25, 2020, 4:07 am

Science minister backtracks on plans to quit over lockdown

Blue and White chief Gantz convinces Yizhar Shay to stay on board after party’s coronavirus point-man had fumed over strict new measures

By TOI staff

Police set up a temporary roadblock on Menachem Begin Street in Tel Aviv to enforce a coronavirus lockdown, on September 23, 2020. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

September 24, 2020, 9:44 am

Cabinet approves near-total national shutdown to stem runaway infection rate

Ministers limit holiday prayer gatherings and demonstrations, close ‘nonessential’ businesses ; finance minister decries new closure’s ‘critical’ harm to the economy

By TOI staff

This March 19, 2020 photo shows playground at Tel Aviv's beachfront wrapped in tape to prevent public access.(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

September 15, 2020, 8:35 pm

Minister says new lockdown will be looser, more focused on mental health

As government set to decide on exact lockdown rules, Yizhar Shai tells ToI rules will focus on keeping people sane, including opening playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment

By Nathan Jeffay