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ultra-Orthodox parties

Ultra-Orthodox voters arrive at a polling station in Beit Shemesh to take part in the Likud party primary, August 17, 2026. (Sam Sokol/Times of Israel)
August 18, 2026, 10:05 am
Haredi turnout high in Likud primary, amid fears they won’t vote for party in general election
Some Likud activists decry ‘foreign body’ influencing Netanyahu’s slate, but many candidates are glad to get votes wherever they can
By Sam Sokol
Former interior minister Eli Yishai arrives to testify before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on May 17, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 6, 2026, 10:01 am
Former Shas leader Yishai said to mull run with new Eisenkot-linked Haredi party
Ex-minister holds meetings with leaders of The Haredi Public in bid to capitalize on dissatisfaction among Shas voters; reports say Eisenkot associates helped shape party strategy
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) together with fellow Likud ministers Yariv Levin (left) and Shlomo Karhi (right) attend a Knesset plenum session at which a law boosting government authority over media was passed, July 16, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 17, 2026, 9:50 am
Coalition’s ‘legislative blitz’ is designed to shore-up, unshackle right-wing power
Raft of contentious laws passed this week increases power of right-wing media, throws off attorney general’s legal restraints, and keeps the Haredim inside Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc
By Jeremy Sharon
Likud MK Dan Illouz attends a plenum session in Knesset, July 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 8:15 am
Likud MK resigns, says a third of party MKs wanted to oust Netanyahu after Oct. 7
Dan Illouz says Likud has been ‘hijacked’ by Haredi interests: Efforts to enshrine draft exemption are a ‘disgrace that made it clear to me that my place is no longer in Likud’
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: A man outside the Chief Rabbinate headquarters in Jerusalem, October 31, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 15, 2026, 8:09 am
Knesset passes law restoring Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over kosher certification
Coalition passes raft of contentious laws aimed at appeasing Haredi parties, which say their ‘rift’ with Netanyahu is over
By ToI Staff and Zev Stub
United Torah Judaism MKs Yitzhak Pindrus (left), Moshe Gafni, and Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in the Knesset at a session where a Basic Law enshrining Torah study as a foundational value of the state was approved, July 13, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 14, 2026, 12:31 am
Israel passes quasi-constitutional law declaring Torah study a foundational value
Defying outcry from legal officials, the IDF, reservists and opposition parties, coalition secures final approval of flagship Basic Law, which aims to help enable ongoing broad exemption of ultra-Orthodox young men from IDF service
By Ariela Karmel
Minister of Heritage Amichay Eliyahu attends a unity conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 22, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 12, 2026, 4:04 pm
Otzma Yehudit minister suggests far-right party may woo Shas voters
Comments by Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu follow Haredi party’s refusal to pledge support for another Netanyahu-led coalition until draft exemption law is passed
By ToI Staff
Combat veterans suffering from PTSD react during a House Committee hearing on the so-called Torah Study bill, at the Knesset on July 9, 2026. Yitzhak Goldknopf is seated with back to camera. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 9, 2026, 9:17 pm
Haredi parties give a little ground: Basic Law won’t explicitly put Torah study on par with IDF service
Bill advances in 6-4 committee vote, with final Knesset readings slated for next week; combat veterans with PTSD interrupt hearing: ‘You’ve exploited us for political gain; rebel Likud MK: ‘Compromise’ is mere ‘window dressing’
By Ariela Karmel
Left: Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara at her welcome ceremony in Jerusalem on February 8, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Right: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on January 11, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
July 7, 2026, 6:28 am
Knesset splits controversial bill to erode attorney general’s powers, easing path for key aspects to become law
Legislation now being advanced would still allow government to ignore AG’s rulings, but won’t divide role; media overhaul bill and bill to expand gender segregation in academia okayed for final votes
By Ariela Karmel and Jeremy Sharon
Family and friends attend the funeral of three members of the Sharabi family, Lian, Noya and Yahel, who were murdered by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023, in Moshav Kfar HaRif, southern Israel, October 25, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 7, 2026, 12:35 am
Knesset advances controversial bill for politically appointed Oct. 7 probe in 1st reading
Opposition boycotts 59-0 vote, accuses coalition of whitewashing its role in the disaster; legislation would enable the government to appoint the panel investigating its own conduct
By Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks to United Torah Judaism lawmakers Moshe Gafni (right) and Yitzhak Goldknopf in the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 2, 2026, 1:22 am
Contentious Basic Law on Torah study, aimed at shielding draft evaders, passes 1st reading
Four coalition MKs vote against legislation, which has been sharply criticized by legal authorities; opposition politicians vow to cancel law if they form next government
By Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu interviewed on the Channel 14 program "The Patriots" on June 30, 2026. (Screen capture)
July 1, 2026, 3:31 am
Netanyahu: The pursuit of ‘total victory’ against Iran and its proxies ‘never ends’
In first Hebrew media interview of election campaign, PM says full unity not possible but that he seeks to form broad gov’t after election that will include far-right, Haredi parties and continue judicial overhaul
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
MK Ofir Katz chairs a House Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 30, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 30, 2026, 7:42 pm
Knesset advances Basic Law on Torah study, pushes to freeze arrests of draft dodgers
Bill heads to first Knesset vote as government also moves ahead with parallel measure to shield current draft evaders from criminal enforcement, ignoring IDF opposition
By Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reserve combat officers in Gush Etzion in the West Bank, June 23, 2026. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)
June 23, 2026, 9:50 pm
Haredi parties deny report of deal with Netanyahu to pass array of pre-election laws
Report claims sides agreed on Oct. 20 election date, and to pass laws to boost rights of Torah students, stop arrests of draft-evaders, constrict AG’s role, hold PM’s favored political probe of Oct. 7
By Sam Sokol
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and MKs attend a plenum session and a vote on reviving the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption bill at the assembly hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on June 11, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 21, 2026, 6:54 pm
Thwarted by Haredi intransigence, Netanyahu may push to dissolve Knesset within days
The utra-Orthodox push to pass bills benefiting draft evaders, and their ongoing boycott of coalition legislation, could lead PM to call for slightly earlier elections
By Sam Sokol
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