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Simcha Rothman

Members of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee observe a minute of silence in memory of those murdered in the October 7, 2023 massacre, during a committee hearing, October 7, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 7, 2026, 8:54 pm
MK Rothman pushes to indict Oct. 7 perpetrators next year, but process faces delays
Prosecutor tells Knesset panel recommendations for indictment of ‘hundreds’ of suspects ready, notes that some have yet to be interrogated
By Jeremy Sharon
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) attends a parliament session in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023, amid a months-long wave of protests against the government's planned judicial overhaul. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
September 18, 2026, 7:01 pm
How Netanyahu’s plans to reshape the courts could turn Israel toward autocracy
With prime minister seeking another term on Oct. 27, his plans to overhaul judiciary are back and more far-reaching than they were in 2023
By Tomer Almagor
An AI-generated video posted September 15, 2026 by Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich depicts (left to right) Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, fellow justice Daphne Barak-Erez, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara being forcibly removed at a protest. (Bezalel Smotrich via X)
September 15, 2026, 10:50 pm
Smotrich assailed for AI video of High Court chief, AG being dragged at protest
Video posted as part of Religious Zionism party’s election campaign, advocating judicial overhaul more radical than outgoing government’s; Herzog denounces ‘offensive AI videos’
By Jeremy Sharon
MK Simcha Rothman (left) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (right), flanked by masked security personnel, arrive at a ceremony marking the establishment of the new Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Arugot in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, September 2, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
September 15, 2026, 7:18 pm
Religious Zionism launches plans for more radical judicial overhaul after election
Smotrich posts AI-generated video of Supreme Court justices, AG getting dragged out of protest; Eisenkot calls it ‘despicable,’ Bar Association director slams ‘incitement’
By Jeremy Sharon
Justice Minister Yariv Levin at a press conference in the Knesset, May 10, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 6, 2026, 11:03 am
Coalition scored successes in judicial overhaul, but High Court, elections, will decide its fate
High Court will likely strike down changes to judicial appointments process, among other legislation, but it may have to fight to keep that power if coalition comes back after vote
By Jeremy Sharon
MK Simcha Rothman leads a hearing of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, May 11, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 6, 2026, 9:10 pm
Next right-wing government could create constitutional court above Supreme Court, MK says
Overhaul architect Simcha Rothman warns drastic move transferring judicial review to new bench would be needed to deal with current top court, which ‘does not obey the law’
By Jeremy Sharon
MK Simcha Rothman attends plenum session and a vote on a bill to split the duties and powers currently held by the attorney general between two separate officeholders, at the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 30, 2026, 3:17 pm
Rothman loses defamation suit against reporter on controversial Oct. 7 comment
Channel 12 said far-right MK implied some terror victims’ lives worth more than others’, then retracted his statement; he said report was a lie; witnesses said he made statement, but it seemed to be a ‘slip of the tongue’
By ToI Staff and Jeremy Sharon
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
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