PMO Prime Minister’s Office

Evan Cohen, left, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (GPO)

Netanyahu taps linguist and LGBTQ rights activist as foreign media spokesperson

South Africa-born Evan Cohen last year criticized government’s surrogacy law as ‘shameful’; has no previous experience in public diplomacy

July 14, 2019, 4:16 pm

Netanyahu taps linguist and LGBTQ rights activist as foreign media spokesperson

South Africa-born Evan Cohen last year criticized government’s surrogacy law as ‘shameful’; has no previous experience in public diplomacy

By Raphael Ahren

A swearing-in ceremony for new recruits to the IDF's Armored Corps on May 9, 2013. (Israel Defense Forces/File)

July 8, 2019, 8:24 am

Defense Ministry said to withhold draft figures for 2018

Deadline for publishing statistics on new recruits passed last week, amid political sensitivity over ultra-Orthodox enlistment

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Prime Minister's Office Director-General Yoav Horowitz, right, arrive for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, December 16, 2018. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

June 11, 2019, 3:03 pm

Director of Prime Minister’s Office announces he will step down soon

Move by Netanyahu confidant Yoav Horowitz considered a surprise despite him announcing it previously, as it comes at the beginning of a new election campaign

By Michael Bachner

A picture taken from the Gaza Strip on May 4, 2019, shows smoke billowing following an airstrike by Israel in response to rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists. (MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

May 7, 2019, 1:59 pm

Gaza official: Israel agreed to implement ceasefire concessions within a week

Senior politician says Israel will allow some restricted goods into Strip and undertake other measures in return for end to all ‘resistance’ except for ‘peaceful’ border protests.

By Adam Rasgon

Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arrives at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, on October 7, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

May 5, 2019, 4:30 pm

Woman suing Sara Netanyahu seeks to haul PMO officials into court

Former employee is suing PM’s wife for alleged abuse; Netanyahu’s lawyer condemns request, says prosecutor should apologize for even considering it

By TOI staff

Shlomo Mark (L) and his wife Yiska in an undated photo. (Courtesy)

March 31, 2019, 4:40 pm

Son of rabbi killed in 2016 terror shooting dies in traffic accident

Politicians, community leader mourn Shlomo Mark, killed on his way to work at PM’s office less than 3 years after his father was gunned down in West Bank

By TOI staff

Illustrative: A picture of Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, is displayed with surrounding Kuwaiti flags in Kuwait City, on February 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

February 8, 2019, 8:34 pm

Group of Kuwaiti businessmen said to visit Israel, with approval by PM’s office

TV report says Kuwaitis toured religious and cultural sites last week, in new sign of warming ties between Israel and Muslim world

By TOI staff

Likud supporters campaign for party members and candidates at the Tel Aviv Likud polling station on February 5, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

February 6, 2019, 12:45 am

Upbeat at primaries, Likud voters see no need to choose between Netanyahu, Sa’ar

Members of ruling party believe PM’s accusations of a leftist conspiracy against him, but don’t think former minister targeted by the premier is part of it

By Raoul Wootliff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote in the Likud primaries on December 31, 2014. (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

February 5, 2019, 10:37 am

High stakes Likud vote opens primary season, with Netanyahu’s future in balance

Rife with backdoor deals and horse-trading, hard-fought internal race is seen as a bellwether of the prime minister’s power in the ruling party

By Raoul Wootliff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, at a Likud faction meeting on December 24, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 3, 2019, 1:10 pm

In fierce Likud vote, Netanyahu endorses ex-aide accused in submarine scandal

PM also says he has no preferences among incumbent MKs, after reported list details his top and bottom choices

By Raoul Wootliff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his then-aide Natan Eshel, on August 28, 2011. (Amit Shabi/pool/Flash90/File)

January 25, 2019, 7:47 pm

Shamed ex-aide to PM backs Likud run of successor, himself accused of graft

Netanyahu’s ex-bureau chief Natan Eshel, who quit over sexual misconduct, confirms helping David Sharan try for a spot on Knesset roster — despite Sharan’s possible indictment

By TOI staff

Former prime minister's spokesman Nir Hefetz at the Herzliya Magistrate's Court for a libel suit against him and other associates of the prime minister on December 26, 2017. (Flash90)

January 23, 2019, 2:41 pm

Former Netanyahu confidant’s diary details spending fights, alleged misuse

Channel 13 reports that Nir Hefetz, spokesman-turned-state’s witness in PM’s criminal probes, kept detailed records for years about Netanyahus’ demands for public funds

By TOI staff

MK Shelly Yachimovich speaks during a protest against sexual harassment against women in front of Tel Aviv University on November 19, 2017. (Flash90)

January 7, 2019, 11:47 pm

Netanyahu lambasted as promised TV ‘drama’ fizzles into ‘lame election show’

Political rivals accuse PM of using prime time TV to ‘wildly attack law enforcement,’ say he isn’t fit for office; analysts mock his demand to confront state witnesses

By Michael Bachner

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering a statement live at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, on January 7, 2019. (frame grab off video, releaed by the Likud/AFP)

January 7, 2019, 8:58 pm

In ‘dramatic statement,’ PM demands he be allowed to face his accusers

Netanyahu says confrontation should be televised live, accuses law enforcement of refusing to question witnesses that could exonerate him

By Raoul Wootliff and TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at an event with Christian IDF soldiers for Christmas and the New Year at the Palmach Museum in Tel Aviv, December 23, 2018. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

January 7, 2019, 5:54 pm

Netanyahu to deliver ‘dramatic statement,’ reportedly over probes

No details provided on content of 8 p.m. address to be broadcast from Prime Minister’s Residence amid election campaign, criminal investigations

By TOI staff