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Knesset

Interview
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'The court should always be the weakest branch'
With bill hobbling AG, overhaul architect Rothman moves to take coalition off judicial leash
MK Simcha Rothman leads a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 5, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Ariela Karmel
Ariela Karmel
In a wide-ranging interview, MK Simcha Rothman defends coalition's campaign against judiciary, arguing it restores authority to elected officials, though expert says it would dismantle remaining checks on executive
Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot speaks at the launch of his party's election campaign in Hod Hasharon, June 30, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 10:21 am
Opposition Zionist bloc led by Eisenkot would win narrow 61-seat majority – poll
Channel 13 survey has Likud with most Knesset seats at 22, Yashar with 21, Bennett with 15; coalition said looking to thwart flights bringing in anti-Netanyahu voters ahead of election
By ToI Staff
Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman celebrates with Justice Minister Yariv Levin (back to camera) following the passage of a law to weaken the powers of the attorney general, at the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem on July 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 15, 2026, 11:06 pm
Coalition passes law gutting attorney general’s powers, removing key check on government
Law allows ministers to reject AG’s positions, which are currently binding, grants government effective control over appointing the AG; Netanyahu skips vote; MK Kariv, critics petition High Court
By Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (foreground) walks past ultra-Orthodox MKs as the Knesset prepares to pass a law banning the arrests of draft dodgers that will effectively freeze ultra-Orthodox enlistment into the IDF for at least the next seven months, July 14, 2026. Netanyahu left the chamber before the vote itself. At center, with hands around his mouth, is UTJ MK Meir Porush. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 14, 2026, 8:28 pm
Knesset passes law banning arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, legitimizing ongoing mass non-enlistment
Petitions against law filed to High Court; deputy minister quits in protest; Netanyahu skips vote, is denounced as ‘traitor’ by opposition MK; all ultra-Orthodox MKs proudly acknowledge they have relatives who could benefit from the law
By Ariela Karmel, Jeremy Sharon and Charlie Summers
United Torah Judaism MKs Yitzhak Pindrus (left), Moshe Gafni, and Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in the Knesset at a session where a Basic Law enshrining Torah study as a foundational value of the state was approved, July 13, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 14, 2026, 12:31 am
Israel passes quasi-constitutional law declaring Torah study a foundational value
Defying outcry from legal officials, the IDF, reservists and opposition parties, coalition secures final approval of flagship Basic Law, which aims to help enable ongoing broad exemption of ultra-Orthodox young men from IDF service
By Ariela Karmel
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
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel appears on today's Daily Briefing podcast with host Jessica Steinberg (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 13, 2026, 1:13 pm
Daily Briefing July 13: Coalition races to pass controversial laws before Knesset dissolves
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses the raft of contentious legislation the government is pushing to shore up support from coalition partners ahead of October elections
By Jessica Steinberg and Ariela Karmel
Israelis cast their ballots in the Israeli general elections, at a voting station in Jerusalem,on November 1, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
July 12, 2026, 7:53 pm
Election date finalized for October 27, with government set to complete full term
Vote will be first to be held on schedule in 40 years, with Netanyahu’s government the first to finish its entire term in 50 years
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
Family and friends attend the funeral of three members of the Sharabi family, Lian, Noya and Yahel, who were murdered by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023, in Moshav Kfar HaRif, southern Israel, October 25, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 7, 2026, 12:35 am
Knesset advances controversial bill for politically appointed Oct. 7 probe in 1st reading
Opposition boycotts 59-0 vote, accuses coalition of whitewashing its role in the disaster; legislation would enable the government to appoint the panel investigating its own conduct
By Ariela Karmel
Speaker Amir Ohana in a preliminary vote to dissolve the Knesset, May 20, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 5, 2026, 5:14 pm
Knesset expected to dissolve July 17, paving way for October 27 election
After shelving plans for early vote, government now appears headed for latest possible date
By Ariela Karmel
Moshe ('Bogie') Ya'alon, a former IDF chief of staff and former defense minister, speaks at the inaugural debate of Al HaMoked (The Spotlight), an Oxbridge-style debating society, at the Old Knesset building, Jerusalem, June 29, 2026. (Nimrod Cohen)
July 2, 2026, 11:36 am
Debate returns to Old Knesset building for first time in 60 years
Hebrew University students launch Oxbridge-style debating society to provide alternative to ‘loud, shallow, public discourse’
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks to United Torah Judaism lawmakers Moshe Gafni (right) and Yitzhak Goldknopf in the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 2, 2026, 1:22 am
Contentious Basic Law on Torah study, aimed at shielding draft evaders, passes 1st reading
Four coalition MKs vote against legislation, which has been sharply criticized by legal authorities; opposition politicians vow to cancel law if they form next government
By Ariela Karmel
MK Ofir Katz chairs a House Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 30, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 30, 2026, 7:42 pm
Knesset advances Basic Law on Torah study, pushes to freeze arrests of draft dodgers
Bill heads to first Knesset vote as government also moves ahead with parallel measure to shield current draft evaders from criminal enforcement, ignoring IDF opposition
By Ariela Karmel
MK Yitzhak Pindrus (left) attends a meeting of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee at the Knesset, Jerusalem, June 29, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90); MK Naama Lazimi attends a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on petitions seeking to overturn the election of attorney Michael Rabello as State Comptroller, June 18, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 29, 2026, 3:55 pm
Haredi MK Pindrus says opposition lawmaker Lazimi should be shot in legs for protesting
Asked if he believes cops should fire at demonstrators who block roads, including his party chair, UTJ lawmaker says: ‘Sure, but start with Lazimi’; Democrats MK files police complaint
By Ethan Rubinson
June 29, 2026, 1:47 pm
Daily Briefing June 29: Can anyone build a coalition without the Haredi and Arab parties?
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses the Knesset’s packed agenda and how Israel’s political parties are positioning themselves ahead of the October election
By Gabriella Jacobs and Ariela Karmel
Attorney Michael Rabello is seen before a court hearing on the dismissal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, April 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 21, 2026, 6:21 pm
High Court: Knesset must explain why state comptroller vote should not be annulled
Statement comes after Knesset speaker rejected call to redo vote, which saw Michael Rabello winning after MKs were allegedly told to video themselves putting his name in ballot box
By Sam Sokol and Jeremy Sharon
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