Religious Zionism Party

In this screenshot of a video released by the government, ministers meet to vote on a hostage agreement with Hamas, November 21, 2023. The agreement was approved early on November 22. (Screen capture/X)

November 22, 2023, 11:42 am

Most politicians welcome hostage deal; Smotrich explains why party ended up voting yes

Herzog, Lapid back cabinet-approved agreement; many lawmakers stress that initial deal must lead to release of all hostages, allow for IDF to continue fighting following pause

By Carrie Keller-Lynn and Amy Spiro

Religious Zionist MK Zvi Succot attends a party meeting at the Knesset, January 23, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

November 1, 2023, 10:42 pm

Ultranationalist MK Tzvi Succot appointed head of Knesset West Bank subcommittee

Opposition lawmakers warn settlement activist will inflame tensions in the West Bank amid a wave of settler violence against Palestinians

By Jeremy Sharon

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (seated with blazer) in the northern West Bank town of Huwara on October 6, 2023. (via Facebook; used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)

October 6, 2023, 4:12 pm

Smotrich urges closing Huwara’s Palestinian shops until bypass road built for settlers

Visiting West Bank town after shooting attack and settler unrest, far-right minister knocks top security officials over response to violence, says ‘things can’t continue like this’

By ToI Staff

A view of the southern West Bank outpost of Avigayil. (Miriam Alster/Flash90, file)

September 8, 2023, 1:10 am

US slams legalization of 3 West Bank outposts ‘previously illegal under Israeli law’

State Department says move undermines two-state solution, which the US is working to advance through talks with Saudi Arabia about normalizing relations with Israel

By Jacob Magid

View of the illegal West Bank outpost of Asahel, in the South Hebron Mountains region, 2012. (Moshe Shai/Flash90)

September 7, 2023, 2:00 pm

Israel legalizes three West Bank outposts

Head of IDF Central Command approves new municipal boundaries for the West Bank settlements of Avigayil, Asahel, and Beit Hoglah

By Jeremy Sharon

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset on August 16, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 28, 2023, 5:21 pm

Smotrich insists no concessions to Palestinians in exchange for ties with Saudis

Far-right minister also calls Biden administration ‘hypocrites’ for criticizing Ben Gvir over controversial remarks: ‘No one can lecture us on morality or human rights’

By ToI Staff

Activists protest against the government's planned judicial overhaul, outside the ultraconservative Har Hamor Yeshiva in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, July 5, 2023. The sign, featuring leading members of the government, states 'You are the messianics of the destruction.' (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

August 17, 2023, 4:42 pm

Protest groups turn up heat on ‘messianic’ settlers accused of driving overhaul

Activists demonstrate in settlements and highlight anti-Palestinian violence, making common cause with established leftist groups but risking alienating supporters on the right

By Jeremy Sharon

MK Simcha Rothman, chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, leads a committee meeting at the Knesset on June 20, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

July 14, 2023, 10:18 am

Rothman to wrap up ‘reasonableness’ bill talks on Sunday, Knesset to vote week after

Committee set to vote on bill during next week, deliver it for final Knesset approval; PM said to tell Herzog he is working on a new version, but won’t return to president’s talks

By ToI Staff and Carrie Keller-Lynn

MK Orit Strock takes part in a march to the illegal Evyatar outpost, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 10, 2023 (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)

June 26, 2023, 11:50 am

Minister to security heads who slammed settler terror: ‘Who are you? Wagner Group?’

Strock compares IDF, Shin Bet, police chiefs to Russian mercenaries rebelling against Moscow; PM decries criticism but calls for probe into claims of excess force against settlers

By ToI Staff

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

June 6, 2023, 11:44 pm

Gantz rules out joining gov’t to secure Saudi normalization, would offer safety net

Former defense minister says he could back deal from the opposition, with Riyadh expected to make demands for concessions to Palestinians opposed by PM’s hardline allies

By Jacob Magid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, May 28, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

May 28, 2023, 10:55 pm

Why Netanyahu has put a halt to a handful of radical coalition measures – for now

A slew of contentious bills and a draft government resolution were all shelved, at least temporarily, on Sunday. Is Netanyahu’s desire for a White House invite the driving force?

By Jeremy Sharon

Young Jewish men hold Israeli flags and flags of the racist, far-right Lehava organization at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, during Jerusalem Day celebrations, May 18, 2023. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

May 18, 2023, 11:58 pm

Triumphalism and ethno-nationalism take center stage at Jerusalem Day events

Heartfelt joy for the return of the Jewish people to their ancient capital is being overshadowed by an antagonistic, nationalistic animosity toward Jerusalem’s Palestinians

By Jeremy Sharon

Right-wing Israelis attend a rally in support of plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

April 29, 2023, 4:14 pm

Pro-overhaul protest showed the right’s strengths — and the government’s weakness

Likud voters want gov’t to focus on declining economy, Haredi parties want draft exemption law, religious Zionist voters want continued judicial reform. Can PM satisfy them all?

By Haviv Rettig Gur

Israelis protest against the government's planned judicial overhaul, near the Prime Minister's official residence in Jerusalem, March 23, 2023. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

March 24, 2023, 4:37 am

Police called in as protesters hem in overhaul architect Rothman

Demonstrators surround Ramat Sharon home, seemingly blocking lawmaker’s way until officers able to escort his car through ad hoc rally; protest also held outside Gallant home

By ToI Staff

Jordan's parliament displays a map of modern day Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza painted with the Jordanian and Palestinian flags, in Amman, March 23, 2022. (Video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

March 22, 2023, 4:25 pm

Amman’s parliament displays Israel with Palestine-Jordan flag, calls to expel envoy

Hitting back at Smotrich’s use of map of ‘Greater Israel’ that includes Jordan, lawmakers show Israel under Jordanian-Palestinian rule; Foreign Ministry working to ease tensions

By ToI Staff