The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/michael-bachner/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 28 Aug 2026 03:44:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Michael Bachner | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/michael-bachner/ 32 32 Aug. 23: Shin Bet chief confirms he’s behind decision not to provide Eisenkot with security detail https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-23-2026/ Sun, 23 Aug 2026 01:43:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3883703 After order to delete video, Shas assails elections committee chief’s ‘persecution’ * Hezbollah said to be exploiting ceasefire to increase arms smuggling from Syria

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]]> Bennett: ‘Anarchist’ Netanyahu’s toxic campaigning may lead to violence against his rivals https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-anarchist-netanyahus-toxic-campaigning-may-lead-to-violence-against-his-rivals/ Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:21:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3883621 In interview accompanying new book, B'Yachad party head recounts PM's lack of orderly handover and threats to mark him as traitor, says his own actions as PM were key to recent successes against Iran

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]]> Entering politics, ex-IDF general blasts 3 years of war without a ‘decisive result’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/entering-politics-ex-idf-general-blasts-3-years-of-war-without-a-decisive-result/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:25:44 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3882865&preview=true&preview_id=3882865 Controversial hawkish former commander Ofer Winter - set to launch a new political party next week - accuses sitting government of still living in pre-October 7 mindset

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]]> Aug. 20: Ministers fume at High Court ruling, vow to keep trying to shut Army Radio https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-20-2026/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:31:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3882430 US targets Hezbollah with fresh sanctions, emphasizing ties to Iranian government * EU said preparing sanctions if E1 settlement construction begins, including labeling all Israeli products

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]]> Hawkish ex-general Ofer Winter expected to launch new party next week, shaking up the right https://www.timesofisrael.com/hawkish-ex-general-ofer-winter-expected-to-launch-new-party-next-week-shaking-up-the-right/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:33:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3882326 Billboards and video clip tease political run, though polls suggest non-aligned party may fail to enter Knesset and harm Netanyahu's bloc if it doesn't merge with others

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]]> Aug. 11: Democratic US senators probe alleged coordination between ICE and Iran to deport detainees https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-11-2026/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 23:48:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3877107 Rubio flew on plane threatened with potential shoulder-to-air missiles, WSJ reports * Report: Minister Barkat alleged to have co-led Likud effort to replace Netanyahu after Oct. 7

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]]> Aug. 10: Trump says US to demand reparations from Iran, including for damage in Lebanon, Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-10-2026/ Sun, 09 Aug 2026 23:40:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3876610&preview=true&preview_id=3876610 Trump teases ‘good response’ to PM’s rejection of Board of Peace’s Gaza plan * Netanyahu reserves Likud spot for entrepreneur who once called Trump ‘morally corrupt piece of shit,’ and now hastily apologizes

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]]> Aug. 7: Source close to Saudi army says coalition won’t ‘stand idly by’ amid Houthi attacks in Yemen https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-7-2026/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 02:08:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3875417&preview=true&preview_id=3875417 Opposition-aligned outlet claims Iranian supreme leader may be on deathbed * US sanctions Dubai crypto exchange for aiding Iran’s IRGC * Israel revoked entry permits of US Jews who volunteered with Palestinians — report

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]]> Aug. 4: Bennett says Netanyahu gave up on defeating Hamas, ‘gave the Qataris the keys to Gaza’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-4-2026/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:39:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3873326&preview=true&preview_id=3873326 IDF said to tighten policy for Gaza strikes, now requiring chief of staff’s OK * Central Elections Committee bans poll workers from updating parties on who’s voted, citing privacy

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]]> Aug. 3: 62% of Israelis think Netanyahu’s promised ‘total victory’ will never come — poll https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-august-3-2026/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:13:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3872750&preview=true&preview_id=3872750 Lack of state comptroller means would-be-whistleblowers can’t get legal protection, office says * After dissing him and announcing his replacement, reportedly angering PM, Katz now says Bluth performing ‘well,’ isn’t ousted

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]]> July 30: Egypt warns of ‘escalation’ after drone strike on port, Houthis deny responsibility https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-30-2026/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:22:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3870663 Far-right rapper suspended from leading Tel Aviv volunteer cop squad over alleged misconduct * Fears that US aircraft at Ben Gurion will cause delays during peak vacation season

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]]> July 28: Ukraine tells Iran to stop supporting Russia’s war; Iranian FM demands restitution for weekend strike https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-28-2026/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:49:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3869334 Saudi Arabia says it intercepted drones launched from Iraq targeting oil facilities * Iran proposes temporary Hormuz plan giving itself greater control over transit lines

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]]> July 27: Netanyahu lands in Washington ahead of Tuesday meeting with Trump https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-27-2026/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:12:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3868661 US embassy extends order banning American officials from personal travel in the West Bank * Report: Trump initially refused to meet Netanyahu, agreed only after Israeli concession on Gaza

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]]> July 16: Opposition parties lambaste media overhaul law as ‘Erdogan style’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-16-2026/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:32:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3862195 Israel said preparing for possible US-Iran escalation next week * IDF says Hamas commander who took part in Oct. 7 onslaught killed in Gaza

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]]> Coalition plows ahead with Karhi’s media bill, dropping entire sections at last minute https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-ploughs-ahead-with-karhis-media-bill-dropping-entire-sections-last-minute/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:54:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3860150 Rushed committee approval comes after parts related to government app that would broadcast sports free of charge removed due to Haredi objections; High Court discussing contentious bill Monday

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