Matan Kahana

Then-defense minister Benny Gantz and then-outgoing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the Knesset plenum, June 13, 2021. (Noam Moskowitz/Knesset)

August 18, 2023, 4:43 pm

Gantz said to rule out unity coalition with Netanyahu, while some in party back idea

National Unity’s Matan Kahana reportedly suggested partnership at faction meeting a few weeks ago, drawing support from at least 3 MKs but objections from party chief

By ToI Staff

MK Ofir Katz, chairman of the Knesset House Committee, leads a hearing, March 12, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 17, 2023, 5:07 pm

Coalition whip: We’ll pass IDF draft law next, then continue with judicial overhaul

Likud MK Ofir Katz says issue of Haredi enlistment needs to be ‘settled’ as reports emerge of ultra-Orthodox parties pushing for pause on shakeup of judiciary

By ToI Staff

File: Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau (L) and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef convene an emergency meeting against a new proposal to overhaul the conversion to Judaism system, on June 3, 2018. (Courtesy of the Chief Rabbinate spokesperson)

May 25, 2023, 9:41 am

As demand for Orthodox Jewish conversion soars, the number of successful cases dips

The government’s protracted process is not appealing to most of the half-million Israelis who are not recognized as Jewish by the Rabbinate

By Canaan Lidor

Israelis protest against the government, in Tel Aviv, on January 7, 2023. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

January 13, 2023, 3:48 pm

To succeed, anti-government protests need to draw religious moderates

Criticism of the coalition’s radical policies is growing even among those who voted for it; organizers of Saturday’s demos must not alienate those vital potential supporters

By Shalom Yerushalmi

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir at a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 3, 2023, 10:37 pm

After visit, Ben Gvir won’t say if he aims to enable Jewish prayer on Temple Mount

National security minister accuses US, other countries of hypocrisy for criticizing visit; chief rabbi says going to site ‘forbidden’; opposition’s Kahana gives unexpected support

By ToI Staff

Religious Zionist head Bezalel Smotrich attends a discussion in the Israeli parliament on the TV-show "Shtula" (Double agent), airing on Israeli TV, November 21, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

November 30, 2022, 6:03 am

How Bezalel Smotrich rode unfiltered radicalism and unforgiving politics to power

The Religious Zionism leader’s political ascent has been marked by extreme positions from the start. He now stands on the cusp of having the ability to realize his far-right vision

By Jeremy Sharon

Gal Shem-Tov, interim director-general of the Religious Affairs Ministry, in an undated photograph. (Religious Affairs Ministry)

August 17, 2022, 8:59 am

Religious Services Ministry goes on autopilot with no elected official to run it

MK Matan Kahana stepped down as minister in May and ran the ministry as a deputy, but that status ran out this week, leaving interim director-general in charge

By Judah Ari Gross

Then-prime minister Naftali Bennett and MK Idit Silman in the Knesset, June 13, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 15, 2022, 11:05 pm

Bennett splits from Yamina, as ex-coalition MKs take revenge on renegade Silman

Former-PM departs his own party in tactical move letting allies join other parties; coalition MKs reject Idit Silman’s similar request, meaning she must now quit the Knesset to run

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Then-interior minister and head of the Yamina party Ayelet Shaked holds a press conference at Kfar Maccabiah in Ramat Gan, on July 27, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)

August 14, 2022, 10:31 pm

Report: Kahana asked that Shaked rule out narrow Netanyahu government — she refused

Yamina lawmaker moving to Gantz’s party also reportedly wanted commitment that Shaked would oppose Netanyahu being first in any potential rotation deal, which she also rejected

By ToI Staff

Illustrative: Then-incoming IDF chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot (L) and then-outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (L) seen at a changing of the ranks ceremony held at the PM's office in Jerusalem, on February 16, 2015. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

August 14, 2022, 1:55 pm

Daily Briefing August 14: Gantz adds another general to Blue and White. Big whoop?

Editor David Horovitz ponders Israel’s political log jam; diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman brings us tales from Ukraine’s frontlines, plus Rushdie and the nuke deal, and pasta

By ToI Staff

Deputy Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahana speaks with Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked in the Knesset on May 16, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/FLASH90)

August 14, 2022, 1:45 pm

Shaked swipes at Kahana as he leaves Yamina for ‘statesmanlike left-wing camp’

Zionist Spirit leader says ‘things have become clearer’ as ex-colleague chooses Gantz-led alliance over their former joint home Yamina, in latest blow to party

By Ash Obel

Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, May 17, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

August 14, 2022, 11:12 am

Ex-IDF chief Eisenkot, former Yamina minister Kahana join Gantz-led ‘National Unity’

Retired general to get 3rd spot on newly rebranded electoral alliance of the Blue and White party and New Hope; Matan Kahana chooses Gantz over Shaked, will get 9th slot on list

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Yamina MK Matan Kahana crosses the busy Ayalon North highway to rescue a kitten, July 18, 2022. (Screenshot)

July 18, 2022, 2:41 pm

MK Kahana stops traffic to rescue kitten, then needs tetanus shot

As his own political future hangs in the balance, Yamina deputy minister pulls over to save the life of a terrified kitten on busy highway; gets vaccine after feline scratches him

By ToI Staff

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

Yamina MK Ayelet Shaked (L) speaks with New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 2, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

July 4, 2022, 11:50 am

Sa’ar, Shaked trade barbs over talks with Likud in battle for right-wing voters

Justice minister says anyone voting for Shaked knows she’ll join a Netanyahu government; interior minister says she was making ‘superhuman efforts’ to prevent elections

By Jeremy Sharon