Religious Zionism Party

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu (center) seen after coalition talks at a hotel in Jerusalem on November 16, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Analysis

The fight over a tiny West Bank outpost pits the PM against the radical factions in his coalition and opens a window into the inner workings of the new government

January 24, 2023, 2:56 am

Who runs Netanyahu’s Israel?

The fight over a tiny West Bank outpost pits the PM against the radical factions in his coalition and opens a window into the inner workings of the new government

By Haviv Rettig Gur

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, January 22, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 23, 2023, 6:40 pm

Netanyahu: We’ll fight ‘all illegal building’ in West Bank – Israeli and Palestinian

Gantz calls Smotrich a ‘Trojan horse’ in Defense Ministry; Smotrich says it is ‘parts of the opposition’ that are behaving like Trojan horses

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, on January 11, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 22, 2023, 1:13 am

Far-right ministers set to skip Sunday cabinet meeting to protest outpost eviction

Religious Zionism party urges Netanyahu to clarify division of authority over IDF after Smotrich accuses Defense Minister Gallant of ordering evacuation in breach of coalition deal

By TOI staff

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives for a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on January 15, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 16, 2023, 11:35 am

Smotrich: My voters don’t care if I’m a homophobe or fascist; my word is my bond

In recording from a few months ago, far-right minister heard saying he could act against LGBTQ community without repercussions from his base; ‘I won’t stone gays [to death]’

By Michael Bachner

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

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich announces plans to reduce the cost of living, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on January 11, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 11, 2023, 10:43 pm

Government unveils ’emergency’ economic plan to reduce utility, gas and tax hikes

Despite being central election promise, government yet to present comprehensive cost of living plan; PM says triage measures will be like ‘putting sticks in the wheel of inflation’

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

MK Ahmad Tibi speaks in the Knesset plenum during a memorial ceremony marking 27 years since the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, November 6, 2022. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

December 31, 2022, 11:08 pm

Report: Far-right opposes Tibi as deputy speaker; Likud inclined to support him

Veteran Arab MK has held role since 2006; Netanyahu’s party said planning to get back at Lapid when staffing Knesset committees

By TOI staff

Benjamin Netanyahu, after presenting his new government to the Knesset, December 29, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 29, 2022, 5:13 pm

Netanyahu returns as PM, wins Knesset support for Israel’s most hardline government

Incoming coalition, approved by 63-54 votes, has pledged to hobble the High Court, consider West Bank annexation, and further centralize Orthodox control over state Jewish services

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich shake hands after signing a coalition deal in Jerusalem on December 1, 2022. (Likud)

December 28, 2022, 8:26 pm

Religious Zionism deal: West Bank sovereignty, settlement growth, discrimination law

Clauses in the far-right party’s agreement with Likud provide for overriding the High Court, strengthening West Bank presence and bolstering Orthodox Judaism

By Jeremy Sharon

President Isaac Herzog (left) meets with Otzma Yehudit party head MK Itamar Ben Gvir, December 28, 2022. (President's Office)

December 28, 2022, 5:57 pm

President asks Ben Gvir to ‘calm stormy waters,’ serve interests of whole population

In meeting with incoming police minister, Herzog notes many across Israel and Jewish world have deep concerns over new government; Ben Gvir responds, ‘I’ll serve the entire nation’

By Ash Obel

Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, right, shakes hands with United Torah Judaism party leader Yitzchak Goldknopf in the Knesset plenum on November 21, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 28, 2022, 9:16 am

UTJ inks coalition deal with Likud, ending internal squabbling ahead of swearing in

Agreement says Haredi party will get Housing Ministry and newly rebranded Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition Ministry, 3 deputy ministers and chairmanship of 4 Knesset committees

By Michael Bachner

Outgoing defense minister and National Unity party chief Benny Gantz speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on December 19, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 28, 2022, 12:43 am

Gantz rejects far-right push to extend political ‘cool off’ for retiring IDF chiefs

Outgoing defense minister says it is ‘not damaging’ for top commanders to enter Knesset 3 years after leaving military, as Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit call for extension

By TOI staff

MK's Simcha Rotman and Orit Strock in the opening of the Knesset summer session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 9, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 27, 2022, 6:56 pm

‘Won’t back down’: Discrimination law stays in coalition deal — Religious Zionism MK

Simcha Rothman says the bill is aimed at avoiding forcing people to ‘act against their religion’; critics have warned it could legalize discrimination against LGBT people, others

By Jeremy Sharon and Carrie Keller-Lynn

MKs Aryeh Deri and Bezalel Smotrich seen during a plenum session at the Knesset, on December 19, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 27, 2022, 7:18 am

Days before coalition is to take power, law clears path for ministers Deri, Smotrich

Ahead of Thursday’s planned swear-in, Netanyahu and allies pass their 2nd politically required law – giving Smotrich a post in Defense Ministry, removing obstacles to Deri’s return

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Blue and White MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzano in the Knesset in Jerusalem, on May 14, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

December 26, 2022, 1:43 pm

Yesh Atid MK warns ‘anti-LGBTQ incitement from lawmakers will end in murder’

Yorai Lahav-Hertzano calls for scrapping plans for a law that would enable discrimination, says Netanyahu will be responsible for consequences

By TOI staff