The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/ariela-karmel/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:04:34 +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 Netanyahu reserves Likud spot for candidate who recently called Trump a ‘morally corrupt piece of shit’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-selects-likud-candidate-who-called-trump-a-morally-corrupt-piece-of-shit/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:57:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3877045 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

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]]> After quitting Likud, Dan Illouz says party sold out principles to hang onto power https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-quitting-likud-dan-illouz-says-party-sold-out-principles-to-hang-onto-power/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:07:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3870854 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

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]]> Opposition blocks transfer of NIS 392 million in coalition funds for Haredi schools, settlements https://www.timesofisrael.com/opposition-blocks-transfer-of-nis-392-million-in-coalition-funds-for-haredi-schools-settlements/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:13:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3870682 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

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]]> Likud approves Netanyahu’s plan to expand his control over party slate https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-approves-netanyahus-plan-to-expand-his-control-over-party-slate/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:29:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3869165 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

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]]> Settlements Minister Strock wins 2nd spot after Smotrich in Religious Zionism primary https://www.timesofisrael.com/settlements-minister-strock-wins-2nd-spot-after-smotrich-in-religious-zionism-primary/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 20:07:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3868534 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

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]]> Likud court overturns Netanyahu bid to cancel party primary in case of war https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-court-overturns-netanyahu-bid-to-cancel-party-primary-in-case-of-war/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 12:15:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3868242 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

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]]> Netanyahu promises to unite country in campaign video ahead of Tisha B’Av fast https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-promises-to-unite-country-in-campaign-video-ahead-of-tisha-bav-fast/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:02:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3866344 After attacking rival Eisenkot with AI-generated content, PM urges the public to see beyond political disagreements; Religious Zionism, Yashar, Noam reveal new candidates

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]]> Karhi’s media overhaul has democracy in its crosshairs, not just broadcasting, expert says https://www.timesofisrael.com/karhis-media-overhaul-has-democracy-in-crosshairs-not-just-broadcasting-expert-says/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:50:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3864597 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

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]]> Critics accuse Netanyahu of mocking Eisenkot’s slain son in AI-generated ad https://www.timesofisrael.com/critics-accuse-netanyahu-of-mocking-eisenkots-slain-son-in-ai-generated-ad/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:46:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3865427 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

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]]> MK Naama Lazimi wins No. 2 spot after Yair Golan in left-wing Democrats’ primary https://www.timesofisrael.com/naama-lazimi-wins-no-2-spot-after-yair-golan-in-left-wing-democrats-primary/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:53:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3864758 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

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]]> Likud grants Netanyahu 8 slots on Knesset list, option to nix primary in wartime https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-grants-netanyahu-8-slots-on-knesset-list-option-to-nix-primaries-in-wartime/ Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:03:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3863978 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

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]]> Coalition passes media overhaul law, giving government greater regulatory control https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-passes-media-overhaul-law-giving-government-greater-regulatory-control/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:26:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3862591 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

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]]> Court orders Likud to postpone vote on expanding Netanyahu’s control over party slate https://www.timesofisrael.com/court-orders-likud-to-postpone-vote-on-expanding-netanyahus-control-over-party-slate/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:46:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3862623 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

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]]> Deri accuses IDF chief of election interference for opposing ban on arresting draft dodgers https://www.timesofisrael.com/deri-accuses-idf-chief-of-election-interference-for-opposing-ban-on-arresting-draft-dodgers/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:11:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3862521 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

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]]> Law expanding gender segregation in academia passes; sponsor claims it will advance women https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-law-expanding-gender-segregation-in-academia/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:38:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3862204 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

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