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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.
Likud MK Tally Gotliv in the Knesset plenum, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 17, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/ Flash90)
June 17, 2026, 9:39 pm
Knesset grants Likud MK Gotliv immunity from prosecution for exposing Shin Bet agent
Vote follows chaotic hearings in which coalition lawmakers rally behind firebrand colleague; opposition lawmakers decry move as ‘disgrace’ and ‘slap in the face’ to security forces
By Ariela Karmel, ToI Staff and Sam Sokol
Candidates for Makom Lekulanu, the new Arab-Jewish party stemming from the Standing Together movement, announced on June 16, 2026. Chair Rula Daood is third from left. (Inas Osrof Abu Seif/Makom Lekukanu)
June 16, 2026, 9:51 pm
Standing Together leaders launch new Arab-Jewish party: ‘A Place for Us All’
Party to be ‘truly equal,’ led by Rula Daood, Alon-Lee Green, co-directors of grassroots left-wing shared society, anti-war organization; party formally independent from movement
By Ariela Karmel
The Knesset House Committee votes to grant immunity from criminal prosecution to Likud MK Tally Gotliv, Jerusalem, June 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
June 15, 2026, 10:13 pm
Knesset panel votes to grant Gotliv immunity for exposing Shin Bet officer’s identity
Lawmakers vote 11-3 with unanimous coalition support after chaotic hearings; decision now moves to plenum for final vote
By Ariela Karmel
Left-to-right: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks outside his office at the Knesset on June 3, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Opposition Leader Yair Lapid leads a Yesh Atid faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, speaks during a conference at Tel Aviv University, May 12, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90); Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference ahead of the vote on the state budget at the Knesset, June 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 15, 2026, 11:52 am
Ministers say Israel won’t be bound by Iran deal, as opposition castigates Netanyahu’s ‘absolute failure’
Defense minister vows the IDF will remain in southern Lebanon, hit Iran hard if needed, despite Trump-Tehran MOU ending Lebanon fighting; Bennett calls Trump-imposed terms a product of failed Israeli leadership
By Emanuel Fabian, Ariela Karmel, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, April 28, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 11, 2026, 10:47 pm
After backlash, Karhi drops bid to grant Netanyahu additional power over media before election
Opposition MKs decry last-minute amendment to controversial broadcast overhaul bill, which one quips ‘suddenly appeared in the middle of the night’; comms minister mocks ‘clowns’
By Ariela Karmel
Ultra-Orthodox protesters outside the Abu Kabir detention facility in Tel Aviv, June 10, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
June 10, 2026, 9:32 pm
Knesset advances Basic Law bill equating Torah study with IDF service, despite coalition revolt
Four coalition MKs opposed measure declaring Torah study a foundational value; critics say bill seeks to preserve mass ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions, ‘spits in the face’ of troops
By Ariela Karmel
Party leaders Ayman Odeh (center left) and Ahmad Tibi (center right) seen during a Hadash–Ta'al faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on May 12, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 10, 2026, 7:08 pm
Arab parties Hadash, Ta’al, Balad announce joint electoral slate — without Ra’am
Factions say they are ‘leaving the door open’ for Mansour Abbas’s party to join them before the election; former MK Michal Rozin to run in The Democrats primary
By Ariela Karmel
Likud MK Tally Gotliv (left), and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, at a House Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 10, 2026, 12:48 pm
Coalition turns Gotliv hearing into attack on AG, who opposes immunity for Likud MK
Baharav-Miara says Gotliv broke the law by exposing Shin Bet officer’s identity; coalition lawmakers spend hours ignoring charges, instead airing broader grievances against AG
By Ariela Karmel
Israeli lawmakers attend a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset June 9, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 9, 2026, 11:12 pm
Knesset panel revises bill creating political Oct. 7 probe, preserves coalition control
Constitution Committee removes controversial clause added last week allowing comptroller to fill vacant seats on panel, but bill allows probe to go ahead without opposition involved
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
MK Moshe Gafni attends Finance committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, April 29, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
June 9, 2026, 10:37 pm
Finance Committee moves to restore daycare subsidies for ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers
New bill would only consider the employment status of a child’s mother, no longer examine the father’s eligibility for conscription; Finance, Justice ministries oppose legislation
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
MK Tally Gotliv (right) and MK Ofir Katz (center) at a Knesset House committee meeting, Jerusalem, June 8, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 8, 2026, 9:35 pm
Firebrand Likud MK accuses security forces of ‘treason’ in Knesset amid Iran attacks
Tally Gotliv, seeking immunity from prosecution after exposing Shin Bet agent, airs conspiracy theories; Haredi MKs demand Basic Law for Torah study to shield draft evaders; committee chair berates female staffer
By Ariela Karmel
Former defense minister Yoav Gallant arrives at the Likud court for a discussion on the proposal to remove him from the party, September 29, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)
June 7, 2026, 2:59 pm
Likud tribunal rejects petitions to expel ex-defense minister Yoav Gallant
Ruling party’s internal court finds no constitutional grounds for expelling veteran member, says judgment on his actions should be left to voters; Gallant: ‘Attempted political assassination’
By Ariela Karmel
Left: Michael Rabello attends a hearing on a petition demanding the formation of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, April 23, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Right: Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik at a committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on, December 1, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 5, 2026, 10:19 am
Knesset legal adviser upholds comptroller vote, says opposition hadn’t opposed ballot-filming
Petition has urged High Court to strike down election of PM’s lawyer Rabello to independent watchdog post, because Likud MKs were reportedly told to document themselves voting for him; Sagit Afik is unconvinced
By ToI Staff and Ariela Karmel
A temporary housing unit being built from shipping containers at the Chavat Meir La’Aretz outpost in the West Bank, March 12, 2026. (Dor Pazuelo/Flash90)
June 4, 2026, 4:36 pm
Knesset passes law granting tax benefits to dozens of West Bank settlements
Smotrich says law will prevent Palestinian state; opposition accuses finance minister of funneling money to voter base ahead of elections, while abandoning the battered north
By Ariela Karmel
Left-to-right: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu votes for the next state comptroller at the Knesset, June 3, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Attorney Michael Rabello, elected by MKs as State Comptroller on June 3, 2026, seen at the Knesset on June 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Likud Knesset Faction Secretary Aliza Barashi surrounded by MKs and Knesset officials during the chaotic vote to elect a new state comptroller, June 3, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
June 3, 2026, 9:06 pm
Netanyahu forces through election of his lawyer as state comptroller amid tainted vote
Michael Rabello wins 61-57 after vote rerun triggered by claims Likud MKs were told to film ballots to prove loyalty; opposition vows High Court petition to overturn ‘illegal, mafia-style’ process
By Ariela Karmel
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