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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.
Ofer Winter (left) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90, Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 13, 2026, 8:23 pm
Ben Gvir rules out surplus-vote deal with Winter, calls him ‘Bennett 2’
People of Israel party tells far-right minister to ‘grow up,’ says he’s decided to ‘throw votes in the trash’ ahead of Oct. 16 deadline to submit surplus agreements
By Ariela Karmel
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the and Religious Zionism party chairman, tours the Mahane Yehuda Market as part of the party’s election campaign in Jerusalem, October 9, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 13, 2026, 6:38 pm
Smotrich: ‘Complete lie’ that IDF troops are burdened because of Haredi exemption
Far-right minister contradicts IDF assessments, claims some 50,000 reservists are willing to return to fight; Haredi youths tear down election signs for new ultra-Orthodox party
By Ariela Karmel
Opposition leader Yair Lapid (right) speaking with Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz in Tel Aviv, October 12, 2026. (The Times of Israel)
October 13, 2026, 4:51 pm
At ToI event, Lapid warns president against meddling in post-election coalition talks
Candidates clash over possibility of unity with Likud, West Bank settlements and international isolation; People of Israel’s Eran Ben-Ari backs E1 building: ‘Do you want Jerusalem to be a border town?’
By Ariela Karmel
People of Israel party chairman Ofer Winter speaks at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, October 11, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 12, 2026, 5:54 pm
‘Shooting us in the back’: Winter says Netanyahu to blame if his party fails to enter Knesset
Ex-general, who says he plans to back Netanyahu but has repeatedly tussled with him, lashes out after PM called him ‘fake right’; opposition’s Eisenkot, Golan also attack premier
By Stav Levaton and Ariela Karmel
Former prime minister and B'Yachad party chairman Naftali Bennett speaks at a press conference in Tel Aviv, October 11, 2026. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
October 12, 2026, 2:51 am
Bennett suggests Netanyahu could sit in future government, backtracks, says he wasn’t serious
In fresh round of bloc infighting, Eisenkot, Golan, Liberman categorically reject possibility of sitting in coalition with Likud leader, while Gantz is lone voice of support
By Shira Silkoff and Ariela Karmel
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel appears on the Daily Briefing podcast with host Jessica Steinberg (Flash 90)
October 11, 2026, 2:00 pm
Daily Briefing Oct. 11 – A message to Eisenkot? Joint List vows to do ‘anything’ to oust Netanyahu
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses possible signaling from the Arab party to the opposition front-runner, and the positioning of Ofer Winter’s People of Israel party
By Jessica Steinberg and Ariela Karmel
Former Prime Minister and B'Yachad party leader Naftali Bennett speaks to the media in Tel Aviv, September 26, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
October 8, 2026, 7:46 pm
Bennett accuses Netanyahu of asking October 7 victims to ‘kiss’ his hand
Remarks come after PM’s Likud party, in sole statement on third anniversary of massacre, sought to absolve him of any responsibility and accused media outlet of false propaganda
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
People of Israel party leader Ofer Winter holds a press conference near Ben Gurion airport, October 05, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)
October 8, 2026, 7:45 pm
Ofer Winter talks like he’s the opposition, but won’t walk away from Netanyahu
Railing against government failures, People of Israel leader promises political overhaul yet rules out any alternative to the current prime minister; the dissonance is not lost on right-wing voters he’s trying to win over
By Ariela Karmel
Families and people attend the national memorial ceremony marking three years since the October 7 massacre, at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, October 7, 2026. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
October 8, 2026, 12:24 am
‘Investigate how it happened, don’t let time blur the truth’: Bereaved ex-hostage Sharabi closes Oct. 7 event with plea
Hosts highlight heroism of the fallen at Tel Aviv ceremony, attended by 50,000, organized by survivors of attack and bereaved families; opposition leaders seen in crowd; government ministers stay away
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Former national security adviser Eyal Hulata speaks at an anti-government protest demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into Hamas's onslaught of October 7, 2023, at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, February 21, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
October 5, 2026, 1:20 pm
Former NSC head pans Netanyahu’s ‘crooked’ flydubai probe, says buck stops with him
Eyal Hulata says Netanyahu should have stepped in after NSC warned in 2024, 2025 of inadequate checks for foreign airlines, says it’s same attitude he has toward Oct. 7 responsibility
By Jeremy Sharon, Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Minister of Transportation Miri Regev in the Knesset on February 20, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 5, 2026, 1:27 am
Eisenkot, Bennett demand Regev’s ouster over security failures exposed by flydubai attack
Ministry reportedly hasn’t checked foreign flights for years; two key flight security officials said to do additional freelance work, one of them for flydubai and Emirates airlines
By Ariela Karmel and Nava Freiberg
A flydubai plane takes off from Ben Gurion airport on September 30, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)
October 4, 2026, 4:59 pm
Despite years of warnings, Transportation Ministry, required to check foreign flights, hasn’t done so
Former top ministry official blames Minister Regev for flydubai incident, but she denies responsibility; regional sources say Israel raised no red flags over crew
By Ariela Karmel and Lazar Berman
A hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on the Central Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify Arab parties and candidates from running in the upcoming elections, October 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 1, 2026, 5:47 pm
High Court urges Balad chairman to drop out of elections or face disqualification
Justices tell Sami Abu Shehadeh that majority support upholding his ban by Central Elections Committee; Ben Gvir, who sought disqualification, ally MK Gotliv, personally argue case in court
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel appears on the Daily Briefing with host Jessica Steinberg (Flash 90)
October 1, 2026, 2:38 pm
Daily Briefing Oct. 1 – Flydubai attack becomes political fodder for candidates
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses rhetoric in wake of copilot’s attack on Dubai flight, and High Court hearings on the disqualification of Arab parties ahead of the election
By Jessica Steinberg and Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Yaniv Hayun, one of the Israelis who helped subdue a flydubai copilot who allegedly sought to crash a plane full of Israelis, on the passengers' return to Ben Gurion Airport on September 30, 2026. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
September 30, 2026, 11:26 pm
Flydubai attack becomes election flashpoint as opponents draw Oct. 7 parallels
Government allies say attack vindicates Netanyahu’s warnings of pre-vote attacks; opposition says it instead recalls state’s security failures, civilians forced to fend for themselves
By Ariela Karmel
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