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Ariela Karmel

Ariela Karmel

Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Trump listens to a question from a reporter at the end of a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, on December 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon/File)
August 10, 2026, 11:57 pm
Netanyahu reserves Likud spot for candidate who recently called Trump a ‘morally corrupt piece of shit’
Oren Dobronsky, who slammed US president over Iran MOU, attempts damage control, calling him Israel’s ‘greatest friend’ in White House; PM’s party to seat its first-ever Haredi MK
By Ariela Karmel, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
MK Dan Illouz (seated center) speaks at a Knesset House committee meeting, July 7, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 4, 2026, 4:07 pm
After quitting Likud, Dan Illouz says party sold out principles to hang onto power
One of Likud’s most conservative former lawmakers says by supporting Haredi draft dodging, Netanyahu abandoned the party’s traditional values in favor of political survival. It won’t work out well, he predicts
By Ariela Karmel
Illustrative: A Haredi school in the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Beitar Illit, August 27, 2014. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
July 30, 2026, 6:13 am
Opposition blocks transfer of NIS 392 million in coalition funds for Haredi schools, settlements
Funding now highly unlikely to be approved before the Oct. 27 election, as the opposition must consent to any further consideration of the matter while parliament in recess
By Ariela Karmel
A person votes at a polling station during the Likud party internal vote in Jerusalem, July 27, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 28, 2026, 12:29 am
Likud approves Netanyahu’s plan to expand his control over party slate
Measure gives premier unprecedented influence over more than 1/3 of party’s realistic ticket; lawmakers believe he may give some of his 8 reserved slots in the top 29 to politicians outside of Likud
By Ariela Karmel
Settlements Minister Orit Strock at the Religious Zionism primary vote, Jerusalem, July 26, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)
July 26, 2026, 11:07 pm
Settlements Minister Strock wins 2nd spot after Smotrich in Religious Zionism primary
Voting limited to far-right party’s central committee rather than full membership; hostage father Tzvika Mor set to be given 3rd spot on Knesset slate, one of two reserved for Smotrich’s picks
By Ariela Karmel
Then opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, cast their votes in the Likud primary in Tel Aviv, August 10, 2022. (Carrie Keller-Lynn/Times of Israel)
July 26, 2026, 3:15 pm
Likud court overturns Netanyahu bid to cancel party primary in case of war
Tribunal stresses importance of maintaining vote for election slate, says nixing it would be ‘wholesale violation of party constitution,’ will step in if emergency prevents ballot
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandoned airport in East Jerusalem on July 5, 2026. (ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP)
July 23, 2026, 1:02 am
Netanyahu promises to unite country in campaign video ahead of Tisha B’Av fast
After attacking rival Eisenkot with AI-generated content, PM urges the public to see beyond political disagreements; Religious Zionism, Yashar, Noam reveal new candidates
By Lazar Berman and Ariela Karmel
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi at the Knesset, Jerusalem, July 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 22, 2026, 1:50 pm
Karhi’s media overhaul has democracy in its crosshairs, not just broadcasting, expert says
Media scholar says government knew law could not survive judicial review, but advanced it anyway in order to shatter legislative norms and provoke showdown with High Court to please political base
By Ariela Karmel
Left: Gal Eisenkot (IDF). Right: A young man depicted wearing a 'Unity of Israel' shirt in an AI-generated ad, shared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against Gadi Eisenkot, on July 21, 2026. (Screenshot via X)
July 21, 2026, 7:46 pm
Critics accuse Netanyahu of mocking Eisenkot’s slain son in AI-generated ad
Video shows Yashar chief running past young man wearing ‘Israeli unity’ shirt, to instead hug Arab party Ra’am’s chairman Mansour Abbas; Likud denies young man is meant to resemble Gal Eisenkot
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
MKs Naama Lazimi (red jacket) and Gilad Kariv (to her right) celebrate with other Democrats party politicians after winning the No. 2 and No. 3 slots respectively on the party's Knesset slate, following party leader Yair Golan (to Kariv's right). The candidates gathered in Tel Aviv on July 20, 2026, after the party's primary. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
July 20, 2026, 9:53 pm
MK Naama Lazimi wins No. 2 spot after Yair Golan in left-wing Democrats’ primary
Party says 97,000 of 112,376 registered members cast ballots in digital vote; party leader predicts list will draw ‘more than a million voters’; Reform Rabbi Kariv comes in third
By Ariela Karmel
Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote in the party primaries at a polling station in Tel Aviv, on August 10, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90/File)
July 19, 2026, 9:03 pm
Likud grants Netanyahu 8 slots on Knesset list, option to nix primary in wartime
Key panel authorizes PM to convene committee of Likud mayors to choose list if security conditions prevent primary vote; MK Bitan accuses panel chair of harming party’s democracy
By Ariela Karmel and Stav Levaton
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 17, 2026, 12:26 am
Coalition passes media overhaul law, giving government greater regulatory control
In apparent violation of PM’s conflict of interest deal, communications minister thanks Netanyahu for tasking him with passing reform, which includes benefits for pro-government Channel 14
By Ariela Karmel and Jeremy Sharon
People stand at polling station during the Likud party's primaries, which were halted following a court order, at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, July 16, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 6:46 pm
Court orders Likud to postpone vote on expanding Netanyahu’s control over party slate
Injunction granted after petitions argue that all party members must be given chance to vote, not just the 4,500 members of the Likud Central Committee
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Shas chair Aryeh Deri (left) attends a Knesset plenum session and a vote on a bill to split the duties and powers of the attorney general, on July 15, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 5:11 pm
Deri accuses IDF chief of election interference for opposing ban on arresting draft dodgers
Shas chair, a member of key security cabinet, claims Zamir harmed the army by speaking out against law benefiting Haredi evaders, says he no longer recognizes High Court’s authority after it froze legislation
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Illustrative: Students at the Hebrew University campus in Jerusalem, on May 28, 2024 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 3:38 am
Law expanding gender segregation in academia passes; sponsor claims it will advance women
Coalition-backed law approved 52-43 over objections of academic representatives; allows institutions to offer segregated master’s, doctoral programs, expanding court-approved limited track for Haredi undergrads
By Ariela Karmel
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