Israeli politics

With new players and old alliances, Israel’s post-October 7 political map takes shape

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Two significant political developments played out this week as Israel moves towards elections. Gadi Eisenkot and Yonatan Shamriz took the reflectors with key announcements.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett seen with Gadi Eisenkot during a march in support of the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, from the entrance of Jerusalem to the Knesset, January 15, 2026
THE KNESSET during a meeting on December 24, 2025.

Gov’t faces one-week deadline to pass first reading of state budget amid haredi draft bill threats

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Communications Minister Shlomo Kahri in the Knesset. Kahri advocates opening up the media market in Israel.

Dangerous game: Netanyahu risks Israel’s security to save coalition with draft deal - editorial

Terrorists from Hamas's Nukhba Force being held at Ofer Prison near Jerusalem, August 28, 2024.

Bill on prosecuting October 7 Nukhba terrorists passes first Knesset reading


Most Israelis say social division bigger threat to country than Iranian nuclear threat - poll

While 59% of Jewish respondents viewed polarization as the greatest threat, only 39% of Arab participants said the same, possibly due to higher Arab sympathy with Palestinians.

 Israelis clash with police during a protest against the decision of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire head of Shin Bat Ronen Bar, in Jerusalem, March 20, 2025.

The case for Sharren Haskell: The leader Israel needs and the system can’t tolerate - opinion

At a time when sovereignty, security, and national cohesion demand leaders forged by responsibility rather than ambition, Sharren Haskel illustrates what effective leadership is really like.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, as she marches on a three-day journey from Kfar Saba to Jerusalem to protest the current outline of the haredi conscription bill.

Israel's opposition must unite to defeat Netanyahu, restore responsibility in politics – opinion

A divided opposition risks repeating past failures; uniting the parties is the only path to replacing the current government.

Opposition party leaders Yair Golan, Yair Lapid, and Benny Gantz. Israel’s opposition needs to find unity, the writer says.

A golden noose around Israel’s soul: Ben-Gvir’s theology of death strangles society - opinion

The golden noose represents a theology of death, a reverence for vengeance that distorts the face of Judaism and deals a severe blow to Israeli society.

NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is seen wearing a gold pin of a noose, on December 8, 2025.

Responsibility vs popularity: Israeli elections are a test for society - opinion

Experience shows that dramatic statements and grand promises may generate temporary support, but that support evaporates quickly when confronted with facts.

Benny Gantz.

Not someday: Israel is ready for a new woman prime minister now - opinion

Israel’s democracy is mature enough for another woman prime minister, and leaders are already emerging.

MKs Pnina Tameno-Shete and Sharren Haskel.

Netanyahu warns ex-security chiefs against involvement in Oct. 7 inquiry

“In recent days, we have witnessed an organized campaign of pressure by senior ‘former officials’ seeking to distort the facts and dictate to the government how it should act,” Netanyahu wrote.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025

Draft law needs legal work, only services haredim, says A-G in advisory opinion

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said the current version of the haredi draft law would benefit only ultra-Orthodox men.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

US democracy's decline is a warning to Israel - opinion

America is being tested as to whether it can keep its republic, just as we are being tested as to whether we can retain our democracy. Let us all hope that both of us can pass the test.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress in March 2025.

Defense Minister Katz moves to extend IDF service to 36 months

In the statement, Katz indicated that combat soldiers and other conscripts who are already serving and scheduled to complete their service during 2026 may have to delay their discharge from the IDF.

Minister of Defence Israel Katz visits the Mahaneh Yehudah Market in Jerusalem, on September 2, 2025.