The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sam-sokol/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:02:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Sam Sokol | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sam-sokol/ 32 32 In unprecedented move, Abbas and Segalovitz announce joint run, bringing Jewish lawmaker to Arab party’s slate https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-former-mk-yoav-segalovitz-announces-unprecedented-run-with-arab-raam-party/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:58:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3888950 Ra'am chief: We need to create partnerships and 'see the other as a human being, not as an enemy'; Segalovitz: 'The assertion that after October 7 it is impossible to maintain a political partnership with Arab parties is false'

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]]> Daily Briefing Aug. 31: Splinter parties jockey for position as election deadline looms https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-aug-31-splinter-parties-jockey-for-position-as-election-deadline-looms/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:39:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3888530&preview=true&preview_id=3888530 Political correspondent Sam Sokol discusses 'third bloc' political parties ahead of September 8 deadline for forming slates, and the new ultra-Orthodox party, The Charedi Public

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]]> With only days left to submit slates, small parties are still jockeying for position https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-only-days-left-to-submit-slates-small-parties-are-still-jockeying-for-position/ Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:17:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3886510 Despite polling under the electoral threshold, newly established right-wing factions seen as unlikely to agree on any sort of joint run until right before September 8 deadline

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]]> Smotrich calls to ‘Judaize’ Negev, Galilee as part of his settlement ‘revolution’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-calls-to-judaize-negev-galilee-as-part-of-his-settlement-revolution/ Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:47:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3886764 Far-right minister's pre-election plan would establish dozens of towns for one million new Jewish residents while curbing Arab building

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]]> With debutant Winter poised to cannibalize his bloc, Netanyahu has reason to sweat https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-debutant-winter-poised-to-cannibalize-his-bloc-netanyahu-has-reason-to-sweat/ Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:06:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3885983 New People of Israel party seen as most likely to draw votes away from PM's coalition allies, as well as his own Likud, with rivals and other small right-wing factions already siphoning away support

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]]> Democrats chair Yair Golan said to request security detail due to threats on his life https://www.timesofisrael.com/democrats-chair-yair-golan-said-to-request-security-detail-due-to-threats-on-his-life/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:27:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3886207 Request reportedly cites posts saying Golan should be hanged, shot, maimed; Eisenkot trades barbs with hawkish newcomer Winter as PM's glumness on Likud's chances is backed up by poll

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]]> Abbas eyes Segalovitz pact amid backlash for saying he’s ‘compelled’ to accept Jewish state https://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-eyes-segalovitz-pact-amid-backlash-over-saying-hes-compelled-to-accept-jewish-state/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:35:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3886025 Ra'am chair angers right-wing lawmakers in Facebook post asserting that Arab politicians must accept 'imposed' reality of Israel's Jewish character; Erdan: Abbas wants a caliphate

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]]> Winter launches nationalist ‘People of Israel’ party; Netanyahu warns it could doom the right https://www.timesofisrael.com/winter-launches-new-nationalist-people-of-israel-party-pm-warns-it-will-split-vote-on-right/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:57:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3885480 Controversial ex-general says Israelis will no longer accept same political faces after Oct. 7; does not mention PM; unveils diverse slate including Arab-Israeli influencer Yosef Haddad

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]]> No slate, no HQ: Sharren Haskel wages an uphill fight to return to the Knesset https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-slate-no-hq-sharren-haskel-wages-an-uphill-fight-to-return-to-the-knesset/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:28:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3881764 The Israel First party is polling far below the electoral threshold, but the former deputy foreign minister at its helm insists she's not just looking to dock with another 'Third Bloc' faction

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]]> Far-right MK smashes monument for Palestinian ‘martyrs’ during IDF-escorted West Bank tour https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-mk-smashes-monument-for-palestinian-martyrs-during-idf-escorted-west-bank-tour/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:44:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3885064 Zvi Sukkot, aides filmed wielding sledgehammers in Madama; army accuses him of acting 'deceptively and manipulatively; incident triggers condemnations across political spectrum; PM: 'Unacceptable'

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]]> Lagging in polls, Netanyahu warns small right-wing parties could hand election to ‘fascist’ left https://www.timesofisrael.com/lagging-in-polls-netanyahu-warns-voting-for-small-right-wing-parties-could-cost-him-election/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 21:52:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3884939 Fuming that a rash of new parties led by disaffected nationalists will waste vital votes, PM, whose coalition seeks oversight of media, claims opposition would restrict free speech, shutter his supportive Channel 14

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]]> Haredi protesters shut down highway near Bnei Brak over draft dodger’s arrest https://www.timesofisrael.com/haredi-protesters-shut-down-highway-near-bnei-brak-over-draft-dodgers-arrest/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:39:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3884804 Demonstration by extremist Jerusalem Faction comes after weeks-long lull in ultra-Orthodox protests

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]]> Launching campaign, new Haredi party slams ‘detachment, stupidity’ of existing factions https://www.timesofisrael.com/launching-campaign-new-haredi-party-slams-detachment-stupidity-of-existing-factions/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:26:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3884181 The Charedi Public calls for secular education, workforce participation and the enlistment of everybody who is not learning full-time in yeshiva

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]]> Wreckage found of Altalena arms ship sunk in deadly 1948 power tussle, far-right ministers announce https://www.timesofisrael.com/wreckage-found-of-altalena-arms-ship-sunk-in-1948-power-tussle-ministers-announce/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:57:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3884414 IDF says it had no part in search for Irgun ship sunk by army of nascent state; 16 Irgun members, 3 IDF troops died in incident that became right-wing symbol; chances of lifting still-intact vessel said slim

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]]> Election czar orders Shas to remove ad claiming troops support Haredi party https://www.timesofisrael.com/election-czar-orders-shas-to-remove-ad-claiming-troops-support-haredi-party/ Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:19:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3884077 Judge gives Aryeh Deri 2 days to respond to Yashar petition alleging the video, featuring a religious family welcoming their soldier son home, violates election rules

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