Politics

During a quiz in an interview at the Israel Security Conference, Minister of Defense Israel Katz was asked to name the defense ministers during Israel's wars. When reaching the Second Lebanon War and Operation Protective Edge, Katz claimed these were not wars. In the Second Lebanon War alone, 165 Israelis were killed and thousands wounded.

The head of the Shin Bet has canceled his predecessor's recommendation to disqualify the new party of the far-right activist and Michael Ben-Ari. The decision was made despite Bar's warning regarding extremist ideology.

Public Diplomacy Directorate head Tzipi Hotovely briefed reporters following the White House summit. She emphasized that Gaza reconstruction is contingent on Hamas's demilitarization, debunked rumors regarding "Har HaMachosh," and confirmed full coordination with the U.S. on the Iranian issue.

The government's decision not to appear for the hearing is not the beginning of the crisis but one of its symptoms. It has stopped viewing the court as a restraining factor and has begun to see it as the one holding the steering wheel.

After the Likud Central Committee narrowly approved the proposal by Haim Katz and Benjamin Netanyahu to change election procedures, MK David Bitan alleged significant voting irregularities, including the invalidation of valid ballots. Likud activist Dor Harlap has filed a separate legal petition regarding the process.

120 mayors, branch heads, and Likud central committee members asked Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Katz to shorten the mandatory membership period for Hadar Muchtar. In the letter, they claimed she submitted over 1,000 membership forms and strengthened the party's hold among youth. Opposition to her candidacy remains within the Likud.

As first revealed in Olam Katan, Shin Bet head David Zini decided to re-examine the classified materials that had blocked the registration of the "Yisrael Yehudit Shlema Ve'eitana" party. The review is now complete: the Shin Bet has withdrawn its objection, and the Registrar of Parties has approved the party's legal registration.

A field study presented to the "Behad" party suggests a potential of up to three mandates from new voters. Russian and Ukrainian-speaking immigrants who arrived since 2022 constitute about 10% of the Russian-speaking electorate and show a tendency toward the center-right.

The Prime Minister attended a memorial event for Senator Lindsey Graham. Antoun Sehnaoui, who recently drew attention for his pro-Israel positions, was also present. A participant clarified that regional issues were not discussed.

A senior Fatah official expressed uncertainty regarding the upcoming elections in the Palestinian Authority. He argued that reaching a consensus on the PA Chairman is essential to bolster internal legitimacy.

The acting director-general of the Central Elections Committee has reminded polling institutes and media outlets that, starting tomorrow, they must submit full poll data to the committee to ensure transparency and prevent public deception.

Advocacy activist Yoseph Haddad criticized Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas for refusing to clearly label Hamas a terrorist organization during a radio interview.

For the first time since completing his term, former State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman appeared at the Channel 14 Security Conference, giving an exclusive interview to news anchor Miri Tabibi.

During the Channel 14 security conference, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich outlined his demands for the next government, focusing on aggressive action against security threats in Judea and Samaria and within Arab society.

Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz, in an interview on Channel 14, discussed his complex relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the management of the war. Gantz praised Netanyahu as a "better politician" and a capable wartime leader, while also accepting his share of responsibility for the failures leading up to October 7.

The Minister of Finance told the "Geekonomy" podcast that he examined his responsibility following the massacre, but concluded that he had spent years opposing the "concept" • "If I have any responsibility, it is that I did not flip the table."

Following a legal battle, the expense breakdown for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residences has been revealed: nearly 2 million shekels were spent in 2025 and another 731 thousand shekels in the first half of 2026. An expense of about 63 thousand shekels was completely redacted.

In recordings from a closed conference of the 'Beit Tzioni-Hamiluimenikim' party, the chairman is heard speaking sharply against 'Religious Zionism' • According to him, the party, and Smotrich at its head, chose to go time after time against the public it claims to represent.

Gadi Eizenkot may be the leading candidate for Prime Minister in the event of an opposition victory, but behind the scenes, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman are already marking the coveted chair. Who among them will demand a rotation, who might break their election promises, and who will become the tie-breaker — in the new episode of the "Al Ze" podcast.

The Knesset has approved a one-year exemption from the betterment levy for agro-voltaic facilities. This measure aims to promote renewable energy development while providing regulatory certainty for farmers.

Against the backdrop of the vandalism at the News 12 studios, Keshet 12 has petitioned the Supreme Court against Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi's broadcasting law. The petition alleges that the legislation is discriminatory and designed to weaken government-critical media while favoring loyal outlets.

An associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attacking Knesset members and ministers following a tense battle over the most controversial clause, which allows incumbents to run in districts and on reserved slots.

Businessman and investor Dobi Frances rejects reports of a reserved spot in the Likud, but revealed at the Negev Conference that he does not rule out a future entry into politics and even marks the highest Israeli target.

The mother of the late Yotam Haim shared in an emotional interview about the political awakening process she has undergone since the outbreak of the war. In her remarks, she expressed shock at the calls to bring back Palestinian workers: "I no longer believe in peace with them, and this awakening must be expressed at the ballot box."

A Likud Knesset member praised the democratic process in his party in an interview with 103fm. He explained the need for reserved spots requested by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warned against foreign interference in Israeli elections.

The Central Elections Committee began enforcing the requirement to label election propaganda created using artificial intelligence. Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close advisor, Yonatan Urich, released a series of materials that violate these guidelines.

The change allowing incumbent ministers and MKs to run in districts was approved by a margin of only six votes. Attorney Yair Gabai claims it harms equality between candidates. At the same time, allegations of fraud and an attempt to approve results in a rush are being heard in Likud.

After promising to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani was forced to admit he lacks the authority to do so. With the arrest threat now off the table, he is shifting his focus to organizing street protests against the Prime Minister.

Religious Zionism has only recently returned to passing the electoral threshold in polls, after a prolonged period in which the national-religious public did not find a political home. The public is angry at the conduct of its representatives towards the Haredi society - but it is still unclear if alternatives like Chili Tropper, Yoaz Hendel, Gilad Erdan or Yuli Edelstein will manage to erode its...

During a parlor meeting in Jerusalem, former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen faced accusations from an attendee who claimed that exceptional interrogation methods against Jewish detainees were approved under his leadership, specifically referencing the Amiram Ben Uliel case.

In recent years, support for the Levi Eshkol Heritage Center has been severely cut. Commemoration budgets are being redirected to other bodies, including those associated with the Likud. Eshkol's grandson criticizes the move as discriminatory, while the Prime Minister's Office attributes the cuts to an increase in the number of eligible organizations.

At a conference hosted by ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth in collaboration with INSS, leading Israeli figures discussed strategic security issues and the upcoming election agenda. Gadi Eizenkot asserted his bid for Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett accused Qatar of funding Iran, and Avigdor Lieberman warned of the economic consequences of failing to pass an equal conscription law.

Current data from an i24NEWS poll shows that Gadi Eizenkot is closing in on Benjamin Netanyahu in suitability for the role, while Naftali Bennett is lagging behind and the coalition is recording a slight strengthening in the general balance of mandates in the Knesset.

The chairman of the Yashar party presented an outline for strengthening the rural area and promised representation for the working settlement in the list • "Agriculture and food security are a fundamental component of national security"

Following news of a 340 million shekel transfer to settlements, the Ministry of Education has requested an additional 226.5 million shekels for the Haredi sector. MK Naor Shiri criticized the move.

A new mandate poll shows dramatic changes in the political map as Gadi Eisenkot's party takes first place, while Likud drops to second and the coalition weakens significantly.

Abu Mazen is promoting moves intended to thwart Hamas from running as a party. The terrorist organization may boycott the voting process. Marwan Barghouti is expected to run next year for the position of PA Chairman.

Yesterday (Sunday), we revealed that a senior member of the Democrats party, one of the big winners in the Labor party primaries, Yaya Fink, transferred hundreds of thousands of shekels on behalf of the Histadrut to associations identified with his own party. As part of his work as head of the Histadrut's Division for Social Justice and Gender Equality, Fink transferred a quarter of a million...

After months of disputes and delays, polls closed this evening for the Likud convention elections. With 3,395 out of 4,662 eligible members voting, the turnout reached 72.82%, a figure considered particularly high for internal party elections.

The billboards of the "Siat HaTzibur HaCharedi" faction include the letter 'Gimel'—which represents United Torah Judaism on the ballot. Because of this, the party received several letters—which even included a warning before filing a formal complaint with the Central Elections Committee—demanding the removal of the billboards.