The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/raoul-wootliff/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:51:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Raoul Wootliff | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/raoul-wootliff/ 32 32 Shas party leader Aryeh Deri indicted for tax offenses after plea deal https://www.timesofisrael.com/shas-party-leader-aryeh-deri-indicted-for-tax-offenses-after-plea-deal/ Sun, 26 Dec 2021 16:18:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2672609&preview=true&preview_id=2672609 Agreement expected to see opposition lawmaker, who has previously been jailed for bribery, resign from Knesset but possibly return as soon as next elections

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]]> Aryeh Deri admits to tax offenses as part of plea deal, will resign from Knesset https://www.timesofisrael.com/aryeh-deri-admits-to-tax-offenses-as-part-of-plea-deal-will-resign-from-knesset/ Thu, 23 Dec 2021 14:08:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2671310&preview=true&preview_id=2671310 Attorney-general confirms agreement won’t see Shas party leader charged with moral turpitude, allowing him to run again for office; good-governance group vows High Court appeal

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]]> Plea deal reached for Shas chief Deri to admit tax offenses, resign from Knesset https://www.timesofisrael.com/plea-deal-reached-for-shas-chief-to-admit-tax-offenses-resign-from-knesset/ Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:50:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2670806&preview=true&preview_id=2670806 Ex-con MK Aryeh Deri to pay a fine of some NIS 180,000 and admit to two tax offense charges that won't bar him from running for office in next election

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]]> Deri said set to sign plea, quitting Knesset for second time over corruption charges https://www.timesofisrael.com/deri-said-set-to-sign-plea-quitting-knesset-for-second-time-over-corruption-charges/ Mon, 20 Dec 2021 20:51:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=2669611 Shas head, an ex-con, expected to admit to tax offenses that won't bar him from running for office in next election; party says he'll remain at helm; decision awaits AG signature

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]]> Netanyahu told to return $900,000 in gifted legal funds from US billionaires https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-told-to-return-900000-in-gifted-legal-funds-from-us-billionaires/ Wed, 24 Nov 2021 22:18:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2655450&preview=true&preview_id=2655450 AG Mandelblit tells High Court former PM should give back $300,000 given to him by cousin Nathan Milikowsky and $600,000 he received from real estate mogul Spencer Partrich

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]]> Knesset passes first reading of bill to limit PM’s term to 8 years https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-first-reading-of-bill-to-limit-pms-term-to-8-years/ Mon, 22 Nov 2021 20:37:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2654171&preview=true&preview_id=2654171 Coalition legislation wins vote 66-49, with opposition Joint List lending support; justice minister bemoans 'harm' of prolonged rule

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]]> Nir Hefetz: Bezeq boss said his news site was ‘gift’ for Netanyahus to control https://www.timesofisrael.com/nir-hefetz-bezeq-owner-said-he-gave-news-site-as-a-gift-to-the-netanyahu-family/ Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:19:22 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2654024&preview=true&preview_id=2654024 Ex-PM's former top aide provides key testimony on link between favors Netanyahu allegedly received and benefits he gave Bezeq

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]]> New Hope MK threatening to buck coalition if ‘cannabis committee’ not formed https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-hope-mk-threatening-to-buck-coalition-if-cannabis-committee-not-formed/ Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2651152&preview=true&preview_id=2651152 Sharren Haskel accuses Meretz of holding up panel to discuss medical marijuana, legalization and other cannabis-related matters, in violation of coalition deal

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]]> Netanyahu slams term limit bill as ‘Iranian’; Sa’ar: He once agreed to pass it https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-slams-term-limit-bill-as-iranian-saar-ex-pm-once-agreed-to-pass-it/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:55:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2649767&preview=true&preview_id=2649767 Opposition leader rails against proposal to limit premier's tenure to 8 years; Justice minister: Netanyahu begged me to join his coalition in return for introducing the same law

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]]> Ministers approve bill setting term limits for prime ministers https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministers-approve-bill-setting-term-limits-for-prime-ministers/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 16:59:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2649109&preview=true&preview_id=2649109 Proposal limiting a premier to 8 years in office unanimously backed by committee; if passed by Knesset, wouldn’t apply retroactively to Netanyahu

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]]> Ministers set to okay term limits for PM; Sa’ar also seeks ban on indicted MKs https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministers-set-to-okay-term-limits-for-pm-saar-also-seeks-ban-on-indicted-mks/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 09:28:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2648892&preview=true&preview_id=2648892 Likud MK says party could support the term-limit bill provided it isn't retroactive and thus can't apply to Netanyahu

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]]> Senior Likud officials admit Netanyahu can’t form alternate government https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-likud-officials-admit-netanyahu-cant-form-alternate-government/ Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:36:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2645808 Party sources say it can't get enough voters to attain 61-seat majority, only hope is for new right-wing party to draw those unhappy with Bennett and Sa'ar

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]]> Even with budget test passed, key challenges threaten unity of diverse coalition https://www.timesofisrael.com/even-with-budget-test-passed-challenges-threaten-unity-of-diverse-coalition/ Sun, 07 Nov 2021 11:32:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2645228&preview=true&preview_id=2645228 Several contentious issues are stirring passions within the government as it attempts to forge a 'stable' life beyond the budget. Here are 4 of the main areas of potential division

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]]> Coalition passes 2021 budget, first in 3.5 years, averting early election threat https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-passes-2021-budget-first-in-years-as-rest-of-vote-a-thon-awaits/ Thu, 04 Nov 2021 04:53:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2643895&preview=true&preview_id=2643895 Government overcomes major test after staying up until 5 a.m.; MKs reconvene Thursday morning to vote on arrangements bill and 2022 budget

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]]> In key test for government, Knesset votes on state budget, first since 2018 https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-key-test-for-government-knesset-votes-on-state-budget-the-1st-in-3-5-years/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 18:09:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2643673&preview=true&preview_id=2643673 MKs will need to approve or reject hundreds of clauses of economic plan for 2021-2022; process expected to last until Thursday evening at the earliest

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