Yamina party

Yamina MK Nir Orbach leads a House Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 21, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/ Flash90)

July 14, 2023, 2:01 am

Nir Orbach, ex-MK who toppled previous government, to head new Jewish identity office

Far-right Avi Maoz launches body that will oversee school programing, says that while he opposed Orbach taking part in Bennett-Lapid coalition, he’s not ‘engaged in score-settling’

By Michael Bachner

Former Yamina MK Abir Kara at the launch of his new Economic Freedom party in Jerusalem, September 4, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

July 12, 2023, 1:53 pm

Prosecutors unveil pending charges against former Yamina MK for double-voting

Abir Kara faces indictment for aggravated forgery, fraud and breach of trust for casting two votes during 2021 plenum session, which he maintains was an innocent mistake

By Alexander Fulbright

Then-alternate prime minister Naftali Bennett at a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 18, 2022. (Olivier Fitousi/ Flash90)

November 6, 2022, 5:58 pm

Bennett officially steps down as alternate prime minister

Resignation will go into effect Tuesday, comes after former PM agreed with outgoing successor Lapid that no sensitive decisions will be made in transition period

By ToI Staff

Then-Prime Minister Yair Lapid, right, with then-Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 18, 2022. (Olivier Fitousi/Flash90)

November 3, 2022, 10:29 pm

Bennett announces resignation, hopes incoming government ‘will act responsibly’

Alternate PM caps off tumultuous political career, hailing achievements of his government; agrees with outgoing PM that no sensitive decisions be made in transition period

By ToI Staff

Givat Shmuel on February 10, 2021. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

October 28, 2022, 11:57 am

Furious at Bennett’s betrayal, these national religious voters won’t allow a repeat

After backing Yamina in 2021, Givat Shmuel residents feel burned that their votes were used to oust Netanyahu; many plan to hold their noses and vote for Likud or Religious Zionism

By Jacob Magid

MK Amichai Chikli at a Knesset House Committee meeting on the Yamina party's request to declare him a 'defector,' on April 25, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 29, 2022, 11:49 pm

Netanyahu vows to make renegade MK a minister after election disqualification

At campaign rally, former prime minister says Central Elections Committee decision to bar Amichai Chikli from running is political and aimed at bringing down the right-wing bloc

By Ash Obel and ToI Staff

September 15, 2022, 6:41 pm

Yamina MK Nir Orbach quits politics, urges Israeli right to ‘wake up’

Orbach, who left Bennett’s coalition in June prompting November’s election, says he will ‘personally’ take action to ensure that the next government is right-wing

By ToI Staff

Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu poses with candidates he added to the Likud Knesset slate: (from left) Yossi Fuchs, Tsega Melaku, Idit Silman, Moshe Saada, and Amichai Chikli, September 14, 2022. (Courtesy)

September 14, 2022, 10:57 pm

Netanyahu adds former rebel MKs who downed Bennett government to his Likud slate

Ex-justice official who attacked prosecutors over Netanyahu charges is also given spot; new faces have not stymied criticism over lack of female representation in Likud’s list

By Ash Obel and Carrie Keller-Lynn

Then-prime minister Naftali Bennett, right, with Ayelet Shaked at the first government conference, at the Israeli parliament, on June 13, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

September 14, 2022, 10:49 pm

Bennett seems to snap at Shaked: ‘Those who regret [my] government have post-trauma’

Former PM offers veiled criticism of long-time ally as she moves rightward in bid to gain support ahead of election; Shaked defends the shift, saying she’s ‘returned home’

By ToI Staff

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel at a state memorial ceremony for former prime minister Yitzhak Shamir, at Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, July 10, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

September 13, 2022, 11:34 am

Shaked agrees to run as leader of Jewish Home, days after split with Zionist Spirit

Interior minister signs deal three days after blowup with Yoaz Hendel that ended short-lived alliance; if move finalizes, party likely to support Netanyahu for PM

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked (R) and then Yamina MK Abir Kara present their plan to reduce the bureaucratic burden on small businesses, May 1, 2022. (Mark Neiman/GPO)

August 26, 2022, 1:24 pm

Yamina’s Abir Kara parts ways with Shaked’s Zionist Spirit

Shaked claims former Yamina MK leaves due to squabble over list position, while Kara says split is over ‘values and economic policies’

By ToI Staff

MK Shirly Pinto attends a faction meeting of National Unity Party at the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem on August 23, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 25, 2022, 12:17 pm

Pinto: I left Yamina because Shaked will prop up a narrow Netanyahu government

Lawmaker, who jumped ship and joined the National Unity alliance ahead of coming elections, says country needs a broad, diverse coalition to break cycle of political instability

By ToI Staff

In this handout photo released by National Unity on August 22, 2022, leaders Benny Gantz (R) and Gideon Sa'ar (l) pose with the party's newest member, MK Shirly Pinto (C). (Elad Malka)

August 22, 2022, 12:59 pm

MK Shirly Pinto leaves Yamina for newly formed National Unity

Israel’s first deaf Knesset member becomes the 2nd former member of ex-PM Bennett’s party to join alliance led by Gantz, Sa’ar and Eisenkot

By Alexander Fulbright

Then-prime minister Naftali Bennett and MK Idit Silman in the Knesset, June 13, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 15, 2022, 11:05 pm

Bennett splits from Yamina, as ex-coalition MKs take revenge on renegade Silman

Former-PM departs his own party in tactical move letting allies join other parties; coalition MKs reject Idit Silman’s similar request, meaning she must now quit the Knesset to run

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Deputy Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahana speaks with Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked in the Knesset on May 16, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/FLASH90)

August 14, 2022, 1:45 pm

Shaked swipes at Kahana as he leaves Yamina for ‘statesmanlike left-wing camp’

Zionist Spirit leader says ‘things have become clearer’ as ex-colleague chooses Gantz-led alliance over their former joint home Yamina, in latest blow to party

By Ash Obel