ANNA BARSKY

Anna Barsky is the politics reporter for The Jerusalem Post's sister publication, Maariv.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a hearing in his corruption trial at the Jerusalem District Court, October 11, 2026.

Netanyahu's election strategy may hinge on 55 seats, rather than a 61-seat majority - analysis

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Cabinet secretary Tzachi Braverman during the weekly government conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 17, 2018

Eisenkot demands decision on Netanyahu aide's alleged record alteration

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who is to be announced as candidate for Brazil's presidential elections, stands in front of a screen showing a pre-recorded message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the national convention of the Liberal Party (PL) in Brazil, July 25, 2026.

Netanyahu congratulates Brazil presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on first election round


After flydubai attempted hijacking, police probe aviation security failures at Transport Ministry

Published documents indicated that the Transportation Ministry’s Security Division is responsible for certain aspects of security involving flights entering Israel.

A flydubai plane carrying passengers from flight FZ1073 arrives at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, after a suspected terror attack aboard their original flight from Dubai to Israel forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, September 30, 2026.

Government weighs NIS 9m. assistance after flydubai suspends Israel flights - analysis

The proposed mechanism would help cover empty outbound flights from Israel to Dubai and separate cargo flights carrying passengers’ baggage back to Israel.

A flydubai plane carrying passengers from flight FZ1073 arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, after a suspected terror attack aboard their original flight from Dubai to Israel forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, September 30, 2026.

From North to South: Israel bows its head in remembrance of October 7 massacre

At 6:29 a.m. on October 7, the time at which the Hamas attack began, the October Council has planned a minute of silence to be held.

IDF soldiers lower Israeli flags to half-mast at the President's Residence in Jerusalem to commemorate the October 7 massacre, October 5, 2026.

Netanyahu, Smotrich intervene to cut gas prices again after Israel reaches record high

The order reducing the fuel excise tax, which Smotrich signed on Sunday, lowered the price of a liter of gasoline from NIS 8.27 to NIS 7.77.

A general view of a sign displaying fuel prices at a gas station in central Israel, after fuel prices increased at midnight, October 1, 2026.

Opposition shifts focus to sway moderate Right, soft Likud voters as election nears - analysis

After weeks in which a significant part of the political battle was also being fought within the blocs themselves, parties are now looking for seats they can bring in from outside their own camp.

Five 'change bloc' leaders meet in Yair Lapid's Tel Aviv home.

As Netanyahu weighs his next coalition, Ofer Winter emerges as a key right-wing spoiler - analysis

Which parties Likud would seek to bring into a coalition, and whether those parties would be willing to join such a government, will become clear only after the election.

People of Israel party head Ofer tours the Mahane Yehuda market ahead of the election, in Jerusalem, September 17, 2026

Government extends emergency reservist call-ups through November, lowers cap to 200,000

Ministers approved extending emergency reserve call-ups and special detention arrangements through November 30, despite a Defense Ministry legal opinion warning of serious equality concerns.

 Reservist exercise in the North. January 17, 2024

Five 'change bloc' leaders hold coordinating meeting ahead of elections

Opposition leader Yair Lapid hosted change bloc chiefs, including Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot, on Saturday night to coordinate election moves amid rising internal tensions.

Five 'change bloc' leaders meet in Yair Lapid's Tel Aviv home.

Saudi Arabia’s security needs expose limits of diplomacy, give Israel an opportunity - analysis

Bin Salman’s security strategy faces a major test as Houthi attacks expose alliance limits and highlight Israel’s intelligence and defense role.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the inaugural session of the Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 10, 2025

Businesses damaged through extortion to be assisted by NIS 35 million program backed by Smotrich

Smotrich's plan includes compensation worth tens of millions of shekels for victims of protection-money extortion, aiming to enable those the have suffered protection payments to refuse to pay.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a ceremony marking the establishment of the new Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Arugot in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, September 2, 2026.