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Simcha Rothman

MK Simcha Rothman leads a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 5, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 13, 2026, 5:43 pm
With bill hobbling AG, overhaul architect Rothman moves to take coalition off judicial leash
In a wide-ranging interview, MK Simcha Rothman defends coalition’s campaign against judiciary, arguing it restores authority to elected officials, though expert says it would dismantle remaining checks on executive
By Ariela Karmel
MK Simcha Rothman leads a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 6, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
July 13, 2026, 1:19 am
Bill to gut attorney general’s powers approved by Knesset committee for final readings
Opposition lawmakers warn legislation will place ‘government above the law’ and vow to petition against it, as coalition lauds it ahead of its likely passage this week
By Jeremy Sharon
Illustrative: A man votes during Israel's Knesset election in Safed, northern Israel, on November 1, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)
July 5, 2026, 1:36 pm
Coalition said resisting voting booths in some old-age homes to hurt opposition
Opposition MK slams ‘evil’ bid to scrap booths for tens of thousands of retirement community residents while facilitating vote for some 200 young people on national service abroad
By ToI Staff
MK Simcha Rothman leads a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 27, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 10, 2026, 5:17 pm
Rothman touts coalition’s ‘wonderful’ term, drawing ire of Oct. 7 victims’ relative
Merav Svirsky tells Religious Zionism lawmaker that some are ‘paying the price for your conduct,’ is reportedly removed from Knesset panel hearing during break
By ToI Staff
Female soldiers operate a tank in the Negev Desert, in an undated photograph. (Israel Defense Forces)
June 10, 2026, 12:28 pm
Yeshiva rabbis say they won’t send students to tank units due to integration of women
Leaders of 12 yeshivas in ‘hesder’ joint study-service program reject plan to allow women to serve with men; IDF source says army in ‘impossible situation,’ critics pan it as refusal to serve
By ToI Staff, Rossella Tercatin and Emanuel Fabian
Chairman Simcha Rothman and coalition members of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee vote to advance a bill splitting the position of the attorney general, May 19, 2026. (Noam Moskowitz/Office of the Knesset Spokesperson)
May 19, 2026, 4:26 pm
MKs vote to advance bills splitting and weakening role of AG, making it harder to indict PM
Opposition MKs walk out, leaving coalition lawmakers to unanimously approve bills for their first readings; deputy AG warns of ‘danger to democratic elections’
By Sam Sokol, Ariela Karmel and Jeremy Sharon
MK Simcha Rothman leads a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, May 12, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 19, 2026, 8:36 am
New bill aims to make it harder to indict senior officials, including PM, ministers
Clause requiring permission from judge and special committee to investigate top figures added to MK Rothman’s draft on splitting AG’s role, further limiting checks on power
By Jeremy Sharon and Ariela Karmel
Yizhar Hess, a World Zionist Organization vice chairman and senior representative of the Masorti/Conservative Judaism (left), discusses with an ultra-Orthodox worshipper at the Western Wall in an undated picture. (Courtesy)
May 12, 2026, 2:23 am
Divisive bill barring non-Orthodox practices at Western Wall back on Knesset agenda
Legislation would give chief rabbis ultimate authority at holiest site for Jewish prayer, could see non-Orthodox worship branded as ‘desecration,’ carrying 7-year jail term
By Rossella Tercatin
Members of the Israel Prison Service stand guard next to Hamas terrorists caught during the October 7 massacre and the ensuing war in Gaza, at a prison in southern Israel, February 14, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
May 12, 2026, 1:34 am
Knesset passes law establishing military tribunal to try October 7 perpetrators
MKs vote 93-0 to form special court for captured Hamas-led terrorists, with proceedings to be broadcast; funding not finalized; bereaved families demand politicians establish state inquiry, then quit
By Ariela Karmel and Jessica Steinberg
L-R: Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman Simcha Rothman, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Yisrael Beytenu MK Yulia Malinovsky in the Knesset, May 10, 2026. (Sam Sokol/Times of Israel)
May 11, 2026, 11:52 am
‘A modern Eichmann trial’: Lawmakers tout imminent passage of law to try Oct. 7 perpetrators
Yariv Levin asserts the bill will not only serve justice but ensure the historical record of the massacre; around 300 invaders captured on October 7 are held in Israeli prisons
By Sam Sokol
FILE: New immigrants from France arrive on an "Aliyah Flight" at Ben Gurion airport. August 1, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
May 7, 2026, 2:56 pm
Ministerial panel to vote on bill that would bar citizenship for non-Orthodox converts
Reform movement leader: ‘Government slamming door in the faces’ of Diaspora Jews amid rising antisemitism; MK Rabbi Kariv: Move would ‘collapse the bridge’ between Israel and Diaspora
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara (left) attends a hearing of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee in Jerusalem, September 30, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/ Flash90); National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir leads a faction meeting of his Otzma Yehudit party at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 22, 2026, 4:40 pm
AG ditches cabinet discussion on wiretapping after Ben Gvir bars senior cop
Police chief Daniel Levy also decides not to show up to meeting, after national security minister won’t allow Boaz Blatt, who heads police intelligence unit, to attend
By Jeremy Sharon and ToI Staff
Hamas terrorists attack an army base next to the Erez Crossing, on October 7, 2023, in footage released by the terror group. (Screenshot: Telegram)
January 13, 2026, 11:55 am
Knesset advances bill establishing military tribunal to try October 7 perpetrators
Legislation would allow for death penalty and bar suspects from being released in prisoner exchange deals; hearings to be open to the public and broadcast live
By ToI Staff
MK Simcha Rothman leads a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting, January 5, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 5, 2026, 11:00 pm
Marking up bill, Knesset committee head erases clause meant to protect AG’s independence
Opposition lawmakers assail Constitution Committee chair MK Rothman after he edits legislation to allow incoming governments to sack attorney general within 100 days without cause
By Jeremy Sharon
Secular and Orthodox activists clash after the religious Rosh Yehudi group sets up a gender divider made of Israeli flags in defiance of a municipality decision at a public prayer service in Dizengoff Square, Tel Aviv on Yom Kippur, September 24, 2023. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash 90)
December 18, 2025, 2:36 am
Knesset advances bill criminalizing interference with Orthodox religious practices in public
Coalition bill also requires civil court judges to pass test on Jewish law, though that clause expected to be nixed; MKs also vote for legislation stripping chief justice of authority to staff judicial panels
By Sam Sokol
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