Politics

A major internal rebellion has been exposed within the Degel HaTorah party following the ousting of veteran lawmakers Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev. Rabbi Dov Lando ordered the reshuffle, stripping future MKs of the power to independently hire aides.

The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation has released classified documents from a secret 1993 meeting in Amman between Shimon Peres and King Hussein of Jordan, which laid the groundwork for the 1994 peace treaty.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded the immediate expulsion of the British ambassador ahead of expected UK sanctions targeting companies and individuals in Judea and Samaria.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin decided to publish regulations lowering the passing grade of the June Israel Bar Association exam to 55, aiming to boost the low 42.65% passing rate.

The British Labour government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to announce sanctions against Israel, prompting Jerusalem to prepare a severe diplomatic counter-response amid accusations of electoral interference.

MK Elazar Stern resigned from the Knesset, delivering a highly critical letter to Speaker Amir Ohana accusing him of undermining the separation of powers. Ohana dismissed the letter as election propaganda.

Eliakim Stark, the 34-year-old newly appointed Belz representative on the Agudat Yisrael list, is transitioning from a discreet backroom mediator to an official Knesset candidate. Stark has long served as a key conduit between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and leading ultra-Orthodox rabbinical authorities.

The "Hatzibur Hacharedi" party is pressuring former Deputy Minister Abir Kara to join its slate, following the historic addition of Dr. Nechumi Yaffe as its first female candidate.

A new Channel 14 poll shows the right-wing bloc leading with 63 seats, while Likud secures 30 seats. Benjamin Netanyahu widens his lead for prime minister suitability to 52% over Gadi Eisenkot's 28%.

Israel's Central Elections Committee is implementing unprecedented physical and emotional accessibility measures for the October 27, 2026, Knesset elections, including specialized training for voters with PTSD and war injuries.

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir has registered a shelf party to secure an extra 1.6 million NIS in annual public funding, while the BeYachad alliance has filed a technical split agreement.

Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! party unveiled its 2026 candidate list in Rosh HaAyin, while Chili Tropper joined the ranks. Meanwhile, Michael Biton left Benny Gantz's Blue and White, which added Aliza Bloch.

Dr. Nechumi Yaffe has joined the Haredi Public party to run for the 26th Knesset, marking the first time an ultra-Orthodox party has placed a woman on its electoral list.

The Likud Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately release his list of reserved candidates or face a secret ballot by the party secretariat. The ruling follows a petition by MK David Bitan.

Avi Shaked, co-founder of online gambling giant 888, has submitted the candidate list for his joint Jewish-Arab party "BeYachad Netzliach" ahead of the October 2026 Knesset elections. The millionaire socialist aims to break the political deadlock by entering the governing coalition.

Former Likud minister Benny Begin launched a scathing attack on PM Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of fueling October 7 conspiracy theories and evading responsibility while blocking a state commission of inquiry.

Polymarket bettors place Gadi Eisenkot as the frontrunner for Israel's next prime minister with a 51% probability, while Benjamin Netanyahu trails at 30% as a new Kan 11 poll shows the Yashar! party leading with 23 seats.

As Knesset party lists close, October 7 victims' families face mixed political fortunes. While Eyal Eshel and Einav Zangauker were excluded from key lists, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu secured realistic spots for Rafi Ben Shitrit and Sharon Sharabi.

A delegation of US state lawmakers toured Samaria outposts, pledging to advance counter-sanctions against countries boycotting Judea and Samaria, amid a critical visit by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee to a Palestinian town.

The Pirates party has registered for the 26th Knesset elections, featuring best-selling author and social psychologist Professor Dan Ariely as its third candidate.

Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter submitted the Knesset candidate list for his new party, "Amcha Yisrael," ruling out any political mergers. Activist Yoseph Haddad is placed second on the list.

Itamar Ben Gvir has finalized key spots on the Otzma Yehudit Knesset list, placing chief of staff Chanamel Dorfman 7th and activist Tzachi Eliahu 8th, while Likud Minister May Golan declined to join.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot submitted the candidate list for his "Yashar!" party to the Knesset, naming former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen second and Adi Altshuler as the education minister candidate.

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir places Haredi activist Yossi Goldberger ninth on the party list for the 26th Knesset elections to attract ultra-Orthodox voters.

MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party outlines his legislative agenda for the 2026 elections, focusing on judicial reform, Haredi enlistment, and free-market economic policies.

Prominent Israeli director and screenwriter Eliran Melya, chairman of the Directors Guild, has joined Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party to lead its education and culture platform.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch urged the High Court to dismiss a petition against funding Haredi school networks, calling the link between teacher qualifications and curriculum standards a "radical claim."

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir will not reserve a spot for Minister May Golan on his list, as Golan claims she rejected his offer and announced a temporary hiatus from politics.

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir decided not to reserve a spot for Minister May Golan on his party list. Golan declined his offer, choosing to take a political timeout while remaining loyal to Likud.

The Central Elections Committee has opened candidate registration for the 26th Knesset. Naftali Bennett's "Be-yahad" alliance was the first to register, requesting the historic ballot letter "Bet".

Advanced negotiations are underway to secure a reserved spot for conservative attorney David Peter on the Likud list for the 26th Knesset elections, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's authority.

The submission of candidate lists for the Knesset elections began on Monday, signaling that Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot will run separately. Meanwhile, Likud postponed its vote on reserved spots amid internal disputes.

Yonatan Shamriz, leader of the Kumu movement and brother of slain hostage Alon Shamriz, announced he will not run in the upcoming Knesset elections despite receiving multiple political offers.

Moshe Davidovich, head of the Confrontation Line Forum, has joined Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party. He will run for the 26th Knesset and is designated as the future minister for northern and southern rehabilitation.

Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich offered Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi a spot on his electoral list, which Davidi rejected. Meanwhile, Beer Sheva Mayor Rubik Danilovich declined a high-ranking offer to join the Likud party list.

The Beta Israel spiritual council has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to endorse Almaz Zero for the Likud Knesset list, citing her work against missionary cults and the need for strong community representation.

Dozens of prominent religious Zionist rabbis and Likud officials have urged retired IDF General Ofer Winter to unite with Bezalel Smotrich, warning that an independent run risks wasting right-wing votes.

Israel's political parties face a Tuesday deadline to lock candidate lists for the 26th Knesset. Selection methods vary from democratic primaries in Likud to absolute rabbinical appointments in Shas.

Foreign diplomats express hope for a political shift in Israel's upcoming elections. Egypt and Jordan prepare to return ambassadors if a moderate coalition forms, while European nations delay sanctions to avoid influencing the vote.