Politics

Voting for Israel's 26th Knesset begins tomorrow at diplomatic missions worldwide, starting in Wellington and concluding on the US West Coast. New York expects nearly 1,000 voters.

Rabbi Dov Landau harshly criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over remarks calling ultra-Orthodox Jews ungrateful to God, urging a vote for United Torah Judaism.

Likud has petitioned the Central Elections Committee and the Shin Bet to investigate suspected foreign diplomatic interference regarding ultra-Orthodox support for Gadi Eisenkot.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi responded Wednesday to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks regarding the Sinai Peninsula, stressing that Egypt defended its soil and has no territorial ambitions.

Ofer Winter's "Amkha Yisrael" party targets Russian-speaking voters using AI-dubbed videos and Channel 9 interviews to cross the electoral threshold.

A Channel 14 poll shows 62% of Israelis believe the opposition plans to form a government backed by Arab parties, while 51% reject claims that Netanyahu will launch a pre-election military move.

MK Alon Schuster reportedly told Benny Gantz he may leave Blue and White before the elections if polls do not improve, while Gantz insists he will run until the end.

Intense talks are reportedly underway between Religious Zionism and Motti Leitner's party over a potential withdrawal, with guarantees offered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced protests in Beersheba over missing girl Haimnot Kasau, while Deputy Minister Almog Cohen sparked controversy after a heated mall exchange.

A Channel 13 poll shows the Netanyahu bloc dropping to 51 mandates, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! leads with 20 seats. Bennett's Be-Yachad secures 12 mandates, and 54% of respondents oppose draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox parties.

Two petitions submitted to the Supreme Court address Palestinian access to homes in Khirbet Tarfin, amid competing claims over illegal construction on a Second Temple period antiquities site in Binyamin.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed a lawsuit from former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar as an election stunt, defending his security record in a television interview.

Former Ofakim deputy mayor and longtime Likud member Viktor Rachmilov is leaving Likud to join Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu party, citing failures in security and economic policy.

MK Yitzhak Kreuzer was summoned for questioning over an alleged altercation with police in Mitzpe Yeriho, dismissing the probe as a political witch hunt ahead of elections.

Likud Minister Miki Zohar proposed a rotation government between Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot if Eisenkot secures a larger bloc in upcoming elections, with Netanyahu serving first.

The High Court of Justice rejected a petition by the family of the late Yuval Castleman, upholding the decision not to launch a criminal probe against Jerusalem police officials over the initial flawed investigation into his death following a Jerusalem terror attack.

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman claimed ultra-Orthodox turnout hits 120% while Gush Dan and Sharon see 60%. A fact-check shows Haredi turnout is around 79%, making his statement inaccurate.

Gadi Eisenkot expressed deep contempt for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a controversial AI campaign video that critics claimed resembled his fallen son.

The Emuna movement hosted a conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday featuring female lawmakers and candidates discussing women's political leadership, representation, and national challenges ahead of the 26th Knesset elections.

MK Yaakov Asher criticized Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot over his tough stance on ultra-orthodox military enlistment, stating their recent political talks would have collapsed instantly if those views were voiced.

The Religious Zionism party strongly criticized Gadi Eisenkot and Matan Kahana over a new religious-national headquarters, accusing them of calling to surrender to Hamas.

Likud has approved a new grassroots campaign model for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the upcoming elections, featuring unannounced visits across 40 locations.

Maayan Sherman confronted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Beersheba, blaming him for her son Ron's death in Gaza and demanding a state inquiry commission.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the October 7 massacre to the 9/11 attacks in a recent interview, dismissed Itamar Ben Gvir's bid for the defense portfolio, and discussed regional security operations against Iran.

Traders on Polymarket give Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party a 59% lead to become the largest faction in the upcoming Knesset, outperforming the "Likud" and leading the race for prime minister.

The Central Election Committee inspected its logistical center in Shoham ahead of the upcoming elections, ensuring full preparedness for over 7.3 million eligible voters across 12,018 polling stations.

The Knesset Finance Committee approved 2026 budget changes on Wednesday, allocating funds for national shelter placement, artificial intelligence development, and legal representation.

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a 3 million shekel defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing false accusations and ignored pre-October 7 warnings.

The leader of The Democrats party criticized President Isaac Herzog and warned against a post-election unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benny Gantz warned that Avigdor Lieberman might engineer a post-election political maneuver to form a government relying on Arab parties, while advocating instead for a broad Zionist coalition including Likud.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for a 2.6 billion shekel defense cut, drawing from civilian budgets amid ongoing tensions over the 2026 defense funding.

An analysis by the Manor Center reveals that the Ministry of Education's expanded security-based funding track increased per-student allocations in West Bank settlements while reducing support in northern and southern peripheries.

The "Yashar!" party led by Gadi Eisenkot released a campaign video warning Israelis against voting for small factions that might not cross the electoral threshold, urging focus on major political alternatives.

Tali Deri of the Amech Yisrael party condemned intense harassment and pressure aimed at forcing her party out of the Knesset race, following the resignation of deputy Samaria council head Davidi Ben Zion.

A political storm in Israel has erupted over the pre-war landing of an Egyptian intelligence plane, as contradictions emerge in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accounts.

Likud legal advisor Ilan Bombach accused protest groups of planning to disrupt right-wing voting stations, prompting legal threats from Brothers in Arms.

Lebanon's ambassador to Washington faces legal pressure amid ongoing negotiations with Israel, while media reports conflict over the status of upcoming talks in Florida.

Channel 13 host Guy Lerer is suing Prime Minister Netanyahu's aide Yonatan Urich for defamation over fabricated ratings data, following a major WhatsApp data leak controversy.

Shaul Meridor of the Yashar party ruled out any rotation or coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stressing that the party prioritizes credibility even if it leads to new elections.

The High Court of Justice held a hearing on a petition demanding enhanced protection for attorneys against political harassment and intimidation inside Israeli courts.