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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.
Speaker Amir Ohana in a preliminary vote to dissolve the Knesset, May 20, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 5, 2026, 5:14 pm
Knesset expected to dissolve July 17, paving way for October 27 election
After shelving plans for early vote, government now appears headed for latest possible date
By Ariela Karmel
(L-R) Yoaz Hendel in Petah Tikva, May 10, 2026 (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90) Blue and White chief MK Benny Gantz at the Knesset on June 29, 2026 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) and Dedy Simhi in Jerusalem, July 5, 2026 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 )
July 5, 2026, 3:18 pm
Hendel said not expected to run with Gantz and Simhi amid Haredi coalition dispute
Reservists leader vows to boycott Haredi parties, but Gantz and newcomer Simhi haven’t ruled out sitting with them; meetings among the potential allies ongoing while party chair Hendel on active IDF duty
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
View of a seaside mosque in Jaffa, February 15, 2024. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)
July 1, 2026, 7:57 pm
Knesset advances far-right MK’s bill to lower volume of mosque calls to prayer
Otzma Yehudit’s Zvika Fogel says it’s ‘not a political issue’ but one of equal law enforcement, though Arab lawmakers point to lack of effort to curb violent crime in minority community
By Ariela Karmel
Likud MK Boaz Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting in Knesset, Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 1, 2026, 5:25 pm
Likud MK Bismuth warns of ‘domestic interference’ in elections, points at High Court
Summoning Shin Bet chief, Knesset defense committee chair says justices’ decision to freeze comptroller appointment due to suspected tainted vote could become ‘a slippery slope’
By Ariela Karmel 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
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends a Knesset committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 2, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 30, 2026, 3:16 am
Likud said to be courting Ra’am for help on passing media overhaul law
Netanyahu’s party said offering to halt demolitions in Bedouin Negev communities to secure abstention on controversial legislation; Shas reportedly agrees to support bill if kosher certification reform is reversed
By Ariela Karmel
Opposition leader Yair Lapid leads a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on June 22, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
June 29, 2026, 10:49 pm
Lapid says Netanyahu building ‘satellite parties’ because he expects election defeat
Blue and White fires back at Yesh Atid chief’s apparent criticism of Gantz’s emerging electoral alliance, as opposition ridicules Netanyahu’s unity pitch
By Ariela Karmel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote during the elections for the Likud Central Committee, at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, November 25, 2025 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
June 29, 2026, 2:17 pm
Likud postpones primaries to August 4 as Netanyahu fights for control of party slate
PM is reportedly seeking to choose 11 of the top 40 names on the Likud list in order to consolidate his power, broaden party’s appeal as Eisenkot rises in polls
By Ariela Karmel
June 29, 2026, 1:47 pm
Daily Briefing June 29: Can anyone build a coalition without the Haredi and Arab parties?
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses the Knesset’s packed agenda and how Israel’s political parties are positioning themselves ahead of the October election
By Gabriella Jacobs and Ariela Karmel
MK Boaz Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 24, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 28, 2026, 9:19 pm
Knesset panel to advance measure freezing arrests of Haredi draft evaders for 90 days
Foreign affairs and defense panel chair makes announcement amid bid to end Haredi boycott of coalition; opposition slams bill equating Torah study, IDF service
By Ariela Karmel, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an IDF officers’ graduation course in southern Israel, June 25, 2026. (Flash90)
June 28, 2026, 6:14 pm
Netanyahu’s vow to build ‘broad national government’ marks familiar attempt at pre-election rebrand
Analyst says PM is courting center-right voters to offset Eisenkot’s rising popularity, but will keep current partners if reelected; critics say his appeal for unity is disingenuous, clashes with coalition’s current legislative agenda
By Ariela Karmel
Voter casts their ballot at a polling station in Bnei Brak on November 1, 2022 (Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
June 28, 2026, 5:35 pm
Want to predict how an Israeli will vote? Look at their religiosity, survey says
Study finds that in 2022 election, political divides mapped onto Israel’s religious spectrum, with Haredim likeliest to back Netanyahu coalition and secular voters likeliest to oppose it
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Democrats chief Yair Golan speaks during a press conference at the party's headquarters in Tel Aviv on January 6, 2026. (Courtesy of The Democrats)
June 28, 2026, 5:12 pm
Golan’s Democrats party unveils 51 primary candidates, touts 85,000 members
Vying for a spot on the left-wing alliance’s slate are current and former lawmakers, civil society activists, the IDF’s first Christian Arab lieutenant colonel, and the brother of a slain hostage
By Ariela Karmel
United Torah Judaism MK Yitzchak Goldknopf (left) and his senior aide Motti Babchik attend a meeting of the Knesset House Committee in Jerusalem, June 16, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 26, 2026, 2:02 am
Knesset to hold marathon discussions next week to fast-track Basic Law on Torah study
Parliament’s legal adviser warns lawmakers against accelerated process, as MKs seek to push through legislation before Knesset’s expected dissolution ahead of elections
By Ariela Karmel and Stav Levaton
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