Politics

In an attempt to calm internal unrest and consolidate ranks ahead of the primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been meeting with several Likud Knesset members, including Shalom Danino and Eliyahu Revivo.

The alliance between Aliza Bloch and Gilad Erdan has sparked a behind-the-scenes conflict with members of the Tzur Yisrael party. Founded by young people and reservists, the party is now demanding that Bloch settle campaign expenses totaling over 200,000 shekels.

The Haifa City Council approved the appointment of Hadash faction leader Raja Zaatara to the board of directors of the Haifa Economic Corporation on Tuesday. The decision has sparked sharp backlash due to Zaatara’s past refusal to define Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.

MK Ariel Kallner admits that the large number of reserved spots in Likud reduces his chances of advancing in the list, but rules out the possibility of a split in the party. In an interview with 103FM, he spoke about the race among party members and set a goal of 25,000 votes in the primaries.

Whoever recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel — a more complex recognition — moved an embassy there, or adopted an exceptional position in our favor, is the natural target audience for the next campaign. Alongside the blessing, it must be said: Israel was late to understand that international recognition of its sovereignty on the Golan is not a declarative or symbolic matter, but a...

While many countries in the world are rushing to follow Ahmad al-Shara, a terrorist in a suit, demands are once again being heard in Damascus to return the Golan to the negotiating table. Sovereignty is achieved through actions — we must remain in the buffer zone, protect the Druze, and strengthen the settlements.

In a speech delivered in Beit Shemesh, during which he also announced the official joining of Knesset member Aliza Bloch to the party's ranks, the former Israeli ambassador to the UN launched his new party. Erdan explained that the party is named this way "not because we agree on everything, but because there is no other choice."

The Prime Minister released a video in which he thanked the President of Colombia for recognizing Israel's sovereignty. At the same time, Colombia is struggling with a national disaster: 164 dead and over 2,700 missing. Netanyahu did not mention the earthquake even once.

Less than a week before the primaries, tempers in the party are flaring. The late-night reserved spots given to the "Katzes" are causing anger, which is currently being expressed anonymously. The Minister of Defense knew about the Prime Minister's plan, but still launched a "Boom-Boom" campaign.

Yonatan Urich, the Prime Minister's advisor, wrote on X that 'it is not about Egypt,' following a tweet by an advisor who accused the Prime Minister of 'leaking against a country in the Middle East.' The tweet came after a report that officials in a regional country advised being flexible and reaching an agreement with Israel in order to 'lull' it while preparing for a larger conflict.

We brought together a Likud Central Committee member and the 15th spot on the “Democrats” list for a debate on the important issues ahead of the 2026 elections. Who is to blame for October 7th? Is blocking roads legitimate? And what are the chances for cooperation between the two parties?

"A broad national government" is the central slogan of the Likud campaign. Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized the move, stating that right-wing voters deserve a right-wing government. The Likud spokesperson responded by calling for calm.

In response to the Central Elections Committee's ban on voter tracking apps, the Likud party has submitted an alternative proposal based on "privacy by design" principles.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Shikli toured northern Samaria with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan. They visited Homesh and the new settlement of Emek Dotan, where the Israeli flag is once again flying over the ancient fortress.

Ahead of the Likud primaries, Minister Ze'ev Elkin highlights the importance of the struggle for the Russian-speaking vote. According to him, while Eisenkot and Bennett have established dedicated headquarters for Russian speakers, Likud has not done so: "In my view, this is a mistake - there was a need to establish a headquarters for Russian speakers."

Biomed entrepreneur Mati Gill, CEO of AION Labs, will run for the Knesset on Naftali Bennett's "Beyhad" party list. He previously served as the party's high-tech headquarters chief and helped draft the "New Deal for High-Tech" program.

Ahead of the elections, the Social Workers Union is demanding a cap on the number of cases per professional. Current caseloads are four times the target, with some security sector workers managing up to 1,000 disabled IDF veterans.

MK Ariel Kallner addressed the inclusion of Oren Dubrovsky in the Likud list, stating that he supports candidates who can strengthen the party and reach new audiences.

A surprising meeting was held this week between a Knesset member from the Blue and White party and the chairman of the Zionist Reservists' Home party, against the backdrop of the political crisis in which Benny Gantz finds himself, as he has not yet succeeded in joining other bodies in the political system.

The Minister of National Security, who has 78 recorded traffic violations, criticized the police decision to lower the speed enforcement threshold. He announced plans to discuss the matter with the Police Commissioner.

Will the parties that made up the Joint List run on two different lists in the upcoming elections? After the explosion in contacts and the crisis with Ahmad Tibi's Ta'al, mediation efforts continue - but time is running out: "We need unity more than ever."

Only 3.9% of Likud members are highly likely to vote for the Erdan-Edelstein party, compared to 14.8% of the party's voters. At the same time, most members are confident in the victory of the right-wing bloc.

The party's internal court ordered a freeze on the vote to place Minister Haim Katz on the list, ruling that the claims against him are "worthy of investigation." Conversely, the secretariat approved the reserved spot for Gideon Sa'ar as part of the merger agreement, and the spot for Defense Minister Israel Katz—citing "national security" and a classified request presented by Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Minister of National Security speaks out against the new enforcement camera revolution on the roads, announces an urgent discussion, and proposes a move that could affect the driving speed of motorists in Israel.

A pre-petition warning letter was submitted to Minister of Education Yoav Kisch, demanding a halt to the appointment of new members to the Council for Higher Education. The 'Academy for a Democratic Israel' claims the process violates governmental restraint guidelines during the election period.

A source in Likud claims that Benjamin Netanyahu's circle estimates that Naftali Bennett has not yet committed to recommending Gadi Eisenkot to the President of the State, Isaac Herzog, and they hope that the split in the rival camp will allow Netanyahu to receive the mandate to form a government.

Hadar Mukhtar is waiting for Benjamin Netanyahu's decision on whether to allow her to run in the Likud primaries, as she does not meet the party's bylaws. On 103FM, she spoke about the intense pressure and appealed to the Prime Minister: "I can bring you two mandates."

Following the announcement of reserved spots for Israel Katz, Haim Katz, and Gideon Sa'ar, the battle for a realistic spot on the Likud list has become complex for many candidates. A Likud source stated: "He is creating one big 'deal' whose results are relatively predictable, pushing Biton, Gottlieb, and Eli Dallal down."

Eylon Levy reveals the incredible improvisation behind his appointment as government spokesperson in the early days of the war, and explains that this conduct should not have happened.

In less than a week, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto celebrated the engagement of his son and daughter, with numerous politicians in attendance. The Knesset Speaker and senior ministers were documented in conversation with the rabbi, alongside a close associate of the Prime Minister and a prominent media consultant.

Knesset member Dan Illouz submitted his official resignation from the 25th Knesset to Speaker Amir Ohana on Tuesday. The move follows his departure from the Likud party to join Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu. Per legal requirements, the resignation takes effect within 48 hours, with Shabtai Katesh expected to replace him.

Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to reserve a spot in the Likud list for high-tech figure Oren Dubronsky is not just a localized political move, but a broad declaration of intent regarding the character of the next government. Netanyahu seeks to create a "working government" that relies on figures who have proven themselves in the free market, rather than on a bureaucracy that grew within public...

A "Free Voices" poll among 1,062 Likud members shows many veterans losing ground to new candidates. In a 30-mandate scenario, the political future of about half of the incumbent MKs and ministers appears uncertain.

Maayan Sherman, mother of Ron Sherman, who was killed in Hamas captivity, warned of potential civil unrest if the current government loses the upcoming elections. She expressed concern that coalition supporters and ministers would not accept the election results, leading to street clashes.

Itamar Ben Gvir attacked Netanyahu's policy in Gaza on 103FM, claiming that the Prime Minister is making a mistake by agreeing to the 15-point document and allowing foreign forces into the Strip, and clarified why he will not leave the government two months before the elections.

"I am in principle in favor of Prime Minister Netanyahu's reserved spots that will bring in quality people and the reserved spots will achieve their goal, and I voted in favor of it," said the mayor of Netivot, Yehiel Zohar. "A reserved spot for Haim Katz, veteran as he may be, does not add to the list, and he should have run like everyone else in the primaries."

The Likud Knesset member does not mince words and levels harsh accusations against a senior minister in her party, following a dramatic decision made behind the scenes that has sparked an unprecedented political storm.

A Taub Center analysis warns that the rising number of eligible voters will increase the votes required to enter the Knesset. Estimates range from 171,000 votes at a 70% turnout to 195,000 at an 80% turnout. Without mergers, small parties risk wasting hundreds of thousands of votes.

The Likud party secretariat will be asked to approve the placement of the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and Likud Central Committee Chairman on the list. Sa'ar will be included as part of a merger agreement, Israel Katz following a party court ruling, and Haim Katz by virtue of his position.

The April 2019 elections returned Israel to the era of two major parties, a battle that came at the expense of smaller factions and resulted in 8.6% of votes being wasted. Will another former Chief of Staff, Gadi Eisenkot, succeed in the 2026 elections where his predecessor failed in the battle to topple Benjamin Netanyahu?