The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/ariela-karmel/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:53:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Ariela Karmel | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/ariela-karmel/ 32 32 Knesset expected to dissolve July 17, paving way for October 27 election https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-expected-to-dissolve-july-17-paving-way-for-october-27-election/ Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:14:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3855477 After shelving plans for early vote, government now appears headed for latest possible date

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]]> Hendel said not expected to run with Gantz and Simhi amid Haredi coalition dispute https://www.timesofisrael.com/hendel-said-not-expected-to-run-with-gantz-and-simhi-amid-haredi-coalition-dispute/ Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:18:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3855561 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

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]]> Contentious Basic Law on Torah study, aimed at shielding draft evaders, passes 1st reading https://www.timesofisrael.com/contentious-basic-law-on-torah-study-aimed-at-shielding-draft-evaders-passes-1st-reading/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:22:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3853590 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

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]]> Knesset advances far-right MK’s bill to lower volume of mosque calls to prayer https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-advances-far-right-mks-bill-to-lower-volume-of-mosque-calls-to-prayer/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:57:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3853468 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

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]]> Likud MK Bismuth warns of ‘domestic interference’ in elections, points at High Court https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-mk-bismuth-warns-of-domestic-interference-in-elections-points-at-high-court/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:25:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3853324 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'

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]]> Knesset advances Basic Law on Torah study, pushes to freeze arrests of draft dodgers https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-advances-basic-law-on-torah-study-pushes-to-freeze-arrests-of-draft-dodgers/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:42:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3852614 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

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]]> Likud said to be courting Ra’am for help on passing media overhaul law https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-said-to-be-courting-raam-for-help-on-passing-media-overhaul-law/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:16:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3852287 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

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]]> Lapid says Netanyahu building ‘satellite parties’ because he expects election defeat https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-says-netanyahu-building-satellite-parties-because-he-expects-election-defeat/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:49:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3852235 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

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]]> Likud postpones primaries to August 4 as Netanyahu fights for control of party slate https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-postpones-primaries-to-august-4-as-netanyahu-fights-for-control-of-party-slate/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:17:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3851920 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

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]]> Daily Briefing June 29: Can anyone build a coalition without the Haredi and Arab parties? https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-june-29-can-anyone-build-a-coalition-without-the-haredi-and-arab-parties/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:47:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3851544&preview=true&preview_id=3851544 Political correspondent Ariela Karmel discusses the Knesset's packed agenda and how Israel's political parties are positioning themselves ahead of the October election

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]]> Knesset panel to advance measure freezing arrests of Haredi draft evaders for 90 days https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-panel-to-advance-measure-freezing-arrests-of-haredi-draft-evaders-for-90-days/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:19:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3851582 Foreign affairs and defense panel chair makes announcement amid bid to end Haredi boycott of coalition; opposition slams bill equating Torah study, IDF service

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]]> Netanyahu’s vow to build ‘broad national government’ marks familiar attempt at pre-election rebrand https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-vow-to-build-broad-national-government-marks-familiar-attempt-at-pre-election-rebrand/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:14:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3851429 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

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]]> Want to predict how an Israeli will vote? Look at their religiosity, survey says https://www.timesofisrael.com/want-to-predict-how-an-israeli-will-vote-look-at-their-religiosity-survey-says/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:35:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3851475 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

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]]> Golan’s Democrats party unveils 51 primary candidates, touts 85,000 members https://www.timesofisrael.com/golans-democrats-party-unveils-51-primary-candidates-touts-85000-members/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:12:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3851433 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

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]]> Knesset to hold marathon discussions next week to fast-track Basic Law on Torah study https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-to-hold-marathon-discussions-next-week-to-fast-track-basic-law-on-torah-study/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:02:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3850235 Parliament's legal adviser warns lawmakers against accelerated process, as MKs seek to push through legislation before Knesset's expected dissolution ahead of elections

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