prime minister

July 14, 2019, 2:21 pm

Netanyahu set to become Israel’s longest-serving PM on July 20

Premier will make history at week’s end by reaching milestone of 4,876 days in office, surpassing country’s first leader, David Ben-Gurion

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the weekly government conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on July 1, 2018. (Ohad Zwigenberg/POOL)

November 12, 2018, 4:48 pm

Confusion during Gaza op shows risk Netanyahu takes by not designating deputy

With the PM abroad in the middle of a major national security crisis, the Prime Minister’s Office couldn’t confirm who was in charge

By Raoul Wootliff

The stars of 1980s sitcoms 'Yes Minister' and 'Yes, Prime Minister' outside Parliament, with Nigel Hawthorne (Sir Humphrey Appleby) at left and Paul Eddington (Jim Hacker) center. (Courtesy BBC)

September 2, 2018, 2:45 pm

UK’s acclaimed ‘Yes Minister’ writer skewers Corbyn in Times letter on irony

Jonathan Lynn wonders how he could have penned iconic satire, since ‘I am Jewish’ and Labour’s leader ‘says I don’t understand English irony’; episode of show dealt with Zionism

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman in the Knesset, on October 24, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 17, 2018, 4:57 pm

Ministers move to ax law giving PM, defense chief power to declare war

Ministerial Committee for Legislation supports rolling back amendment which enables Netanyahu, Liberman to launch conflict without consulting security cabinet

By Raoul Wootliff

Former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz in May 2015 (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

June 8, 2018, 8:33 pm

Report: Former IDF chief Gantz in talks to be Zionist Union’s candidate for PM

Veteran journalist Ben Caspit says Gantz, Avi Gabbay close to agreeing on deal that will see the latter keep party chairmanship, receive top ministerial post; Gabbay denies claim

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, at the Knesset on October 24, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

May 24, 2018, 3:00 am

Top ministers agree to axe law allowing PM, defense minister to declare war

Following concerns of measure’s overreach, Security Cabinet members agree to roll it back to original form, enabling the high-level forum to make decisions without full cabinet

By TOI staff

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman leads the Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting in the Knesset on May 7, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

May 7, 2018, 6:36 pm

Liberman says law letting PM declare war is needed to hit enemies quickly

Defense minister claims seeking full government approval for military operations would be ‘foot dragging’; Gabbay calls on coalition to annul ‘absurd’ legislation

By Raoul Wootliff

May 6, 2018, 10:46 pm

Cabinet could nix new law that allows PM to declare war without cabinet – report

Amid concerns it may be struck down, government to reconsider legislation giving premier power to order mass military operation in consultation solely with defense minister

By TOI staff

Culture Minister Miri Reger holds a press conference regarding the Independence Day State ceremony at the Culture Ministry in Tel Aviv, on April 1, 2018. (Flash90)

April 12, 2018, 10:46 pm

Miri Regev says she hopes to be PM after Netanyahu

Omitting Golda Meir, culture minister says that ‘after 70 years, the state and society are ready for a female prime minister’

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waiting for government ministers to join him before a special cabinet meeting for Jerusalem day in Jerusalem, June 2, 2016. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)

March 28, 2018, 1:18 am

Brief hospitalization shows risk Netanyahu takes by not designating a deputy

With no clear replacement ‘just a heartbeat away,’ bitter political battle might ensue among would-be Likud successors were disaster to strike

By Raoul Wootliff

Former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz speaks at the annual World Zionist Conference in Jerusalem on November 2, 2017. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

March 21, 2018, 4:42 pm

Ex-IDF chief Gantz may enter politics, says PM fit to stay on if not indicted

Former military leader also supports term limits for PM; says ‘seriously considering’ running for Knesset in next election

By Michael Bachner

Education Minister Naftali Bennett arrives to the weekly government meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on November 12, 2017. (Olivier Fitoussi/Pool/Flash90)

December 10, 2017, 12:55 am

Jewish Home’s Bennett says he’ll run for PM after Netanyahu era

Touting his ‘extensive experience,’ education minister promises ‘dramatic changes’ on security, economy if elected

By Alexander Fulbright

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right), Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (center) and Intelligence and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (left) during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem in 2016, file photo (Amit Shabi/POOL/Flash90)

August 14, 2017, 4:55 am

Netanyahu prepares to strengthen role of security cabinet

Draft legislation would have the select group make war-related decisions without the need for full cabinet’s knowledge or approval

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, seen next to Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz at the weekly cabinet meeting at Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, September 4, 2016. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

March 5, 2017, 11:18 am

Likud’s Katz says he’ll run for leadership, after Netanyahu steps down

Transportation minister follows party colleague in expressing interest in top job, but stops short of calling for PM’s ouster

By Raoul Wootliff

Likud MK Avi Dichter leads a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset on February 22, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 4, 2017, 8:44 pm

In apparent backtrack, Likud MK says he’ll only run for PM after Netanyahu

Ex-Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter now says he will seek leadership of governing party if premier steps down

By TOI staff