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Ofir Sofer

MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, center, alongside Likud's Justice Minister Yariv Levin, left, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, right, during a Knesset vote on a bill to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 4:50 pm
Pyrrhic victory on law banning arrests of draft dodgers could cost Netanyahu coalition at ballot box
Likud and its allies went to mat for an unpopular law meant to shield ultra-Orthodox from military conscription, losing vital support in the name of legislation that is already on its way to being struck down
By Tal Schneider
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 15, 2026, 8:02 pm
Right-wing minister critical of Haredi draft exemption efforts says won’t seek reelection
Religious Zionism’s Ofir Sofer said leaving politics over coalition’s efforts to okay exemptions for Yeshiva students, day after Knesset passed law to halt arrests of draft evaders
By ToI Staff
New immigrants from France arrive at Ben Gurion Airport on June 25, 2025 (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
July 5, 2026, 3:17 pm
Israel eases licensing barriers for new immigrant psychologists
Move follows similar efforts to smooth the path for practitioners of other regulated professions, comes amid a manpower shortage in health sector
By Zev Stub
Ruby and Hagit, the parents of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, salute their son at his funeral at the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv on November 9, 2025 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
November 9, 2025, 4:16 pm
Burying his son, Itay Chen’s father vows to pursue ‘those responsible for Oct. 7 catastrophe’
Ruby Chen demands state inquiry: ‘Whole nation waits for answers’; Hagit Chen eulogizes her ‘brave, funny, good-looking son,’ laments she ‘won’t bake you cookies or set the table for 5 anymore’
By Jessica Steinberg and ToI Staff
New immigrants arrive in Israel on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight, August 20, 2025. (Zev Stub/Times of Israel)
November 6, 2025, 12:59 pm
Israel unveils 0% tax rate for 2026’s immigrants and returning residents
Program will expand existing benefits and tax incentives for new arrivals, as government prioritizes immigration as an economic driver of growth
By Zev Stub
Immigration and Absorption Ministry Director General Avichai Kahana speaks at a summit on boosting Aliyah in Tel Aviv, October 22, 2025 (GPO)
October 23, 2025, 3:51 pm
New immigration plan seeks to match olim with jobs before they arrive in Israel
With companies needing new talent to fill some 35,000 vacant positions in industry and high-tech, government officials say the program is a ‘win-win’
By Zev Stub
New immigrants arrive in Israel after a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight, August 20, 2025. (Zev Stub/Times of Israel)
September 14, 2025, 7:37 am
Even as Western aliyah picks up, new arrivals replace fewer than half of Israeli emigrants
With Russian-speakers no longer moving in high numbers, immigration is trending downward, but Americans, French and others are upping arrivals, spurred by October 7
By Zev Stub
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass (center), co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, and Tony Gelbart (rear left), co-founder and chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh, together with the children arriving on the Charter flight (Shahar Azran)
August 21, 2025, 6:03 am
Aboard first aliyah flight since Oct. 7, immigrants say war strengthened their resolve
Record number of new citizens expected in August as over 200 arrive on a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight; conflict ‘pushed us to clarify our plans and make it a reality,’ one couple explains
By Zev Stub
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid stands in his granddaughter's bedroom, which was damaged in an Iranian missile strike, June 16, 2025. (Screenshot)
June 16, 2025, 8:44 pm
Homes of Likud MK, opposition leader’s son damaged in Iran missile strike
Lapid says glass shards from explosion fell on his granddaughter’s bed, urges Israelis to ‘be careful and listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command’
By Sam Sokol
Sylvie and Yinon Tsuriely join a march in Jerusalem demanding universal enlistment in the IDF promoted by bereaved families and leading reservist organizations on April 2, 2025. (Rossella Tercatin/Times of Israel)
April 3, 2025, 5:13 am
Thousands at Jerusalem rally demand all Israelis share burden of military service
‘Sanctify God’s name,’ says activist and bereaved mother in appeal to ultra-Orthodox; demonstrator holds up sign quoting Moses: ‘Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?’
By Rossella Tercatin
Aliyah and Integration Ministry Ofir Sofer and Jewish Agency chair Doron Almog pose with olim who arrived from France at the end of October, 2023, immediately following the start of the war. (Guy Yechiely/The Jewish Agency)
February 17, 2025, 12:38 pm
Israel to ease immigration red tape with faster professional licensing
The reform will allow new immigrants in certain fields to start working on accreditation before arriving in Israel and speed up procedures that now take 6-12 months or longer
By Zev Stub
Staff clean a classroom at Emunah daycare in the city of Modiin, on May 7, 2020. (Yossi Zeliger/Flash90)
November 5, 2024, 2:48 pm
Government nixes vote on daycare subsidies for Haredi draft evaders after losing majority
PM orders move after 9 coalition lawmakers, including Likud MKs, say they’ll vote against bill seen by critics as effort to circumvent ultra-Orthodox enlistment in IDF
By Sam Sokol
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer welcoming new immigrants at Ben Gurion airport, August 1, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/ Flash90)
September 10, 2024, 8:05 pm
Far-right minister Sofer signals backing for unity government, Ben Gvir opposes
Lapid ‘wants to drag Israel and Netanyahu into complete surrender,’ argues Ben Gvir, rejecting opposition leader’s possible inclusion in coalition as ‘a prize for Yahya Sinwar’
By Sam Sokol
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (left) in a video message on July 28, 2024 (Screenshot: Defense Ministry); National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir at the Knesset, Jerusalem, on July 24, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 30, 2024, 2:29 pm
Gallant to PM: Check if Ben Gvir curtailed police response to mob assault on IDF bases
Ahead of remand hearing for soldiers suspected of abusing Palestinian detainee, defense minister also demands action against coalition members who took part in riots
By ToI Staff
Coalition lawmakers crowd around Justice Minister Yariv Levin to take a celebratory selfie in the Knesset plenum, as they pass the first of the coalition's judicial overhaul laws, the so-called "reasonableness law", on July 24, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 2, 2024, 1:25 am
Levin declares High Court ‘won’t stay our hand’ after justices annul overhaul law
Justice minister sets up potential standoff between government branches as coalition supporters fume; Gantz says decision must be respected
By ToI Staff and Jeremy Sharon
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