Politics
Supreme Court Hears Petitions on Ra'am and Balad Disqualifications for 2026
The Supreme Court discussed petitions to disqualify Ra'am and Balad ahead of the 2026 elections. Justices noted no grounds to ban Ra'am, while offering Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh a chance to withdraw to avoid a formal disqualification ruling.
New Poll Shows Likud Leading with 28 Mandates Ahead of Elections
A new i24NEWS poll shows Likud leading with 28 mandates ahead of the upcoming elections, followed by Yashar! with 22 and BeYachad with 9 mandates.
Election Judge Rules Financial Pledges to Abstain from Voting Void
Central Election Committee Chairman Judge Noam Soelberg ruled that financial pledges to abstain from voting are legally void, referring the Satmar funds case to police.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen Rejects Claims of Planned Election Delays
Energy Minister Eli Cohen rejected claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to delay the October 2026 Knesset elections, while supporting the formation of a consensus inquiry commission after the vote.
Lapid Rejects Netanyahu's Knesset Sukkah Invitation, Quoting Psalms
Opposition leader Yair Lapid declined an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to a Knesset sukkah Torah study event, citing extremely short notice and criticizing the timing.
Ofer Winter Reveals Herzi Halevi Blocked His Military Secretary Appointment
Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael party has released a video revealing that former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi blocked his appointment as military secretary days before October 7.
Likud Files Police Complaint Against Retired Col. Over Incitement Claims
The Likud party filed a police complaint against retired Col. Miki Kesari over alleged incitement and calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to face a firing squad.
Gantz Expected to Demand Presidential Run Support in Exchange for Withdrawal
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz may condition his withdrawal from the upcoming Knesset elections on securing backing for a future presidential run ahead of his meeting with Gadi Eisenkot.
Supreme Court Hears Appeals on Disqualification of Arab Lists for 2026 Elections
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday regarding the disqualification of former MKs Sami Abu Shehadeh and Ofer Cassif from the 2026 Knesset elections, amid sharp legal and political debates over support for terrorism.
Naftali Bennett Slams Netanyahu, Claims Sinwar Preferred Prime Minister in Office
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent podcast interview, claiming that late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar preferred Netanyahu in office due to perceived containment policies.
Herzog Recommends Four Israelis for Civilian Bravery Medal After Flight Attack
President Isaac Herzog announced he will recommend four Israelis for the Presidential Medal for Civilian Bravery after they stopped an in-flight attack on a Flydubai plane.
Benny Gantz Reveals Likud Offered Him a Top Spot on Knesset List
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz revealed that Likud offered him a high spot on their Knesset list, an offer he rejected to pursue national unity.
Netanyahu and Likud Ordered to Pay Legal Costs Over Gaza Campaign Video
The Central Election Committee ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud to pay legal costs to The Democrats over a campaign video filmed in Gaza.
Hostage Families Urge Political Parties to Include Rehabilitation in Platform
The "255 Hostages" organization urged political parties on Wednesday to include survivor rehabilitation and family support in their joint principles document.
MK Naama Lazimi Named to TIME100 Next 2026 List of Rising Global Stars
MK Naama Lazimi, No. 2 on 'The Democrats' list, was named to TIME100 Next 2026. The magazine highlighted her leadership and fight for social justice ahead of the October 27 elections.
Miri Regev Demands Flydubai Flight Freeze, Sparking UAE Tensions
Transportation Minister Miri Regev demanded freezing Flydubai flights to Israel, triggering a clash with security officials and risking a diplomatic crisis with the UAE.
Yoav Segalovitz Sparks Controversy by Joining Mansour Abbas's Ra'am Party
Former Israeli deputy minister Yoav Segalovitz sparked controversy by joining Mansour Abbas's Ra'am party, becoming the first Jewish candidate in the party's history ahead of the elections.
Election Committee to Review Fly&Vote Expatriate Transport Initiative
Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg has scheduled an October 6 hearing on a Likud petition targeting the Fly&Vote initiative and AID Coalition over expatriate voter transport.
Social Media Creators Launch Virtual Voter Guides Ahead of 2026 Elections
Ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections, Israeli social media content creators are launching virtual voter guides to make complex party manifestos and economic policies accessible to the public.
MK Chili Tropper Addresses Conscription Crisis and Palestinian State Opposition
MK Chili Tropper discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the military conscription crisis, and the necessity of a state commission of inquiry at a Jerusalem parlor meeting.
Likud Blasts Lapid Over Rapid Political Attack Following Security Briefing
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over security updates just minutes after a briefing, prompting a sharp response from Likud.
Thousands of Volunteers Step Up to Transport Voters with Disabilities
With only half of Israel's polling stations located in accessible buildings for the upcoming elections, a massive grassroots volunteer initiative has mobilized to transport elderly and mobility-impaired voters.
Israeli Opposition Plans Early Parliamentary Move to Replace Knesset Speaker
As Israeli elections approach without a clear frontrunner, the opposition bloc is coordinating a parliamentary move to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana immediately after the vote to secure legislative control.
Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Welcome Released Military Deserters in Jerusalem
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem welcomed released military deserters with music and financial stipends, highlighting political tensions over IDF recruitment.
Naftali Bennett Warns IDF Collapse Looms Amid Coalition Draft Crisis
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned at Hostages Square that the IDF faces a severe manpower crisis, criticizing Netanyahu and coalition leaders over the military draft.
Yashar! Demands Removal of Netanyahu Campaign Video Filmed at Airbase
Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! party demanded Likud remove a campaign video of Benjamin Netanyahu filmed at an airbase, citing election law violations.

Netanyahu Summons Lapid for Night Meeting Amid Election Security Warnings
Opposition leader Yair Lapid was summoned for a night meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following security warnings regarding the upcoming elections.
Ben Gvir Ascends Temple Mount With Prayer Book in Status Quo Violation
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir violated status quo guidelines by ascending the Temple Mount with a prayer book following stalled efforts to approve religious items.
Likud Internal Data Shows Netanyahu's Campaign Against Ofer Winter Is Failing
Likud officials admit that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's social media campaign against Ofer Winter is failing, generating minimal engagement and risking right-wing votes.
Degel HaTorah Eyes Seminary Students for Election Day Ground Operations
Degel HaTorah is planning to utilize seminary students for election day turnout operations through rabbinical directives, bypassing legal restrictions on state-funded schools.
Israel Election Committee to Track Real-Time Turnout by Neighborhood in 2026
The Central Election Committee announced real-time voter turnout tracking by city and neighborhood for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, alongside interactive historical mapping.
Netanyahu Reportedly Met with Libyan Commander's Son in UAE
Italian media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Saddam Haftar during his UAE visit, though the claim lacks independent verification.
Israeli Opposition Parties Form Joint Working Teams Ahead of Elections
Israeli opposition parties established joint working teams to coordinate election efforts and policy planning 28 days ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.
Israeli Attorney General Backs Disqualification of Balad Chair Sami Abu Shehadeh
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman urged the Supreme Court to uphold the disqualification of Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh over alleged support for Hamas.
Democrats Party Petitions Supreme Court to Demand Security for Yair Golan
The Democrats party petitioned the Supreme Court on Tuesday to mandate security for chairman Yair Golan amid severe death threats, criticizing the ongoing delay in protection.
INSS Simulation Prepares Israel for Election Security and Disinformation Threats
Security and legal experts gathered at the INSS for a simulation of 2026 Knesset election threats, addressing foreign influence, AI deepfakes, and post-election unrest.
Freedom of Information Movement Petitions Elections Committee Over Netanyahu X Bot Allegations
The Freedom of Information Movement petitioned the Central Elections Committee against Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud, alleging unprecedented bot activity and paid amplification on X ahead of the 2026 elections.
Israel Election Committee Expects Record Double-Envelope Votes in October
The Central Election Committee anticipates a record 650,000 double-envelope votes for the October 27 Knesset elections, delaying the final results by roughly 14 mandates.
Tel Aviv Court Orders Damages in Shikma Bressler Defamation Suit
A Tel Aviv court ordered Esther Yochai to pay over 50,000 shekels in damages and legal costs to Shikma Bressler over defamatory social media posts claiming Bressler aided the October 7 attack.
Gur Dynasty Reportedly Signals No Opposition to Eisenkot Minority Government
A Gur Hasidic source stated that Agudat Israel leader Yitzhak Goldknopf may abstain rather than oppose an Eisenkot minority government.