Politics

Israeli political parties are finalizing surplus vote agreements ahead of the upcoming elections, with the Joint List and Ra'am signing a pact, alongside alliances formed within the change bloc.

Polls project a record 34 women, 48 newcomers, and sharp security background disparities for Israel's upcoming 26th Knesset elections on October 27, 2026.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for an EU-wide ban on settlement trade, comparing the West Bank to Crimea. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar strongly condemned the remarks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked the dismissal of Israel Land Authority acting director Yehuda Eliahu, who received strong backing from regional council heads against housing minister pressure.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee praised Israeli activist Ben Crasso at a 9/11 commemoration event, telling him he hopes he becomes Prime Minister one day.

Ofer Winter's 'Amchah Yisrael' party launched its election campaign with billboards contrasting Winter's security approach with Yair Golan and Gadi Eisenkot.

Protest leader Shikma Bressler sharply criticized Likud's new reserved candidates, particularly Talyk Guetta, mother of a fallen soldier, after Guetta warned that an opposition victory would erase national memory.

Yaakov Asher steps up as the new leader of Degel HaTorah following Moshe Gafni's departure, bringing local government and parliamentary experience to face the conscription law crisis.

A new Maariv poll shows the coalition bloc rising to 50 mandates as Am Yisrael crosses the threshold, while Likud drops to 19 seats. Opposition leaders maintain strong leads over Benjamin Netanyahu.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a massive umbrella agreement to add 18,000 housing units in Ariel.

Netanyahu's spokesman Doron Spielman clashed with Piers Morgan, accusing him of platforming Jewish critics to misrepresent Israel, while condemning UK Labour's West Bank sanctions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly signaled to Western diplomats that he will exclude the far-right from his next government, aiming for a broad coalition to advance regional initiatives.

Political preparations for the 2026 Knesset elections intensify as surplus agreements take shape, forcing tactical alliances across both opposition and right-wing blocs.

Moti Leitner's Haredi Public Party challenges traditional ultra-Orthodox politics by featuring academic women and advocating for free-market reforms over state allowances.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir filed a 100,000 NIS defamation lawsuit against MK Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar! party over podcast remarks linking him to violent online rhetoric.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addressed an LGBTQ+ community event in Tel Aviv as part of the Be- electoral list campaign, discussing his personal evolution and commitment to civil equality ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar invited fugitive Israel Einhorn to the embassy inauguration in Ljubljana, sparking controversy over his criminal probes.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel told the High Court that updated police protocols regarding mounted units in protests remain merely cosmetic, permitting continued dangerous tactics.

The Ombudsman for Judges criticized Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit over a panel's conduct during a hearing involving Minister Shlomo Karhi, though no reprimand was issued.

Nauru's Vice President Lionel Aingimea inaugurated his country's embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the tenth foreign mission in Israel's capital, while seeking technological and economic cooperation.

i24NEWS has strongly objected to the state's request for a deadline extension in Supreme Court petitions against the new Communications Law, warning of prolonged freezes during election season.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir interviewed 96 senior police officers for promotion in 2025, continuing a controversial practice. The move has sparked severe tensions and clashes with the police commissioner over appointments.

Channel 14 petitioned the Supreme Court for permission to live broadcast the upcoming hearing on Shas's petition regarding a state memorial event for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Otzma Yehudit and Itamar Ben Gvir secure the rights to Eyal Golan's hit song "Mi SheMaamin" as a campaign anthem for the upcoming 2026 Knesset elections.

Democrats leader Yair Golan filed a 2.55 million shekel defamation lawsuit against Sara Netanyahu following her remarks on Channel 14 implying he had prior knowledge of the October 7 attacks.

The Israel Police and Attorney General told the Supreme Court they will not investigate Channel 14 over hundreds of controversial statements broadcast since October 7.

A sharp internal debate has emerged within the "Likud" party over its strategy toward Ofer Winter, as some officials argue his independent campaign could ultimately strengthen Benjamin Netanyahu by undermining Gadi Eisenkot and mobilizing the right-wing base.

Mohammed Dahlan rejects Likud's claims that he orchestrated foreign meddling in Israeli elections, calling the allegations a distraction from Benjamin Netanyahu's responsibility for October 7.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reportedly plans to step down from his post in the next government, though his party intends to keep the influential portfolio.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana warned that Ofer Winter's run threatens the right-wing bloc, while dismissing pre-election reports regarding pre-October 7 warnings.

«Likud» candidates meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu near Petah Tikva to launch their election campaign, set regional roles, and enforce strict discipline amid internal discontent over reserved slots.

MK Yinon Azoulay defended Shas amid poll drops and protests, asserting that the party is advancing a realistic draft law for non-studying youths.

Data released to the Movement for Freedom of Information shows state spending of 1.43 million shekels on PM grooming and representation since 2019, with Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu accounting for 90% of hair and makeup costs.

An unusual incident occurred behind the scenes at Channel 13 when an employee confronted opposition leader Benny Gantz after an interview, calling him a disgrace.

Yoel Leon arrived in Ankara to present his credentials as Israel's charge d'affaires to Turkey, amid severe diplomatic tensions and a closed embassy.

A new i24NEWS poll for the 26th Knesset elections shows Likud leading with 27 mandates, followed by Yashar! with 22 and the «-» list with 10. The governing coalition reaches 60 mandates.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled his new reserved slots in the Likud party list, notably including Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo, wounded reservist Elisha Madan, and bereaved parents Taliq Goili and Itzik Bonzel.

The "Democrats" party led by Yair Golan presented a national mental health rehabilitation plan, committing to establish a dedicated governmental headquarters with a 1.5 billion NIS budget.

Sara Netanyahu pushed for former MK Osnat Mark to be appointed chief of staff at Keren Hayesod, sparking an unprecedented crisis at the Zionist institution.

Channel 14 employees mocked the party's reserved slots for prominent network personalities in the Likud list ahead of the 26th Knesset elections.