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


Ron Dermer steps out of Israel's power center, leaving a void in Jerusalem's US diplomacy

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: After years as Netanyahu’s most trusted adviser, the man who bridged Jerusalem and Washington leaves gov’t, taking with him a legacy of influence, division, and results.

Here, Dermer sit alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in July in Arlington, Virginia.

Trump’s call for Netanyahu’s pardon crosses a line in Israeli sovereignty - editorial

While Trump’s support for Israel is undeniable, his request for Netanyahu’s pardon crosses a line into interference in domestic affairs and judicial independence.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters upon his return to Washington at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, November 9, 2025.

'Kahane was right': Likud MK defends far Right Jewish terrorist in fiery Knesset debate

MK Gilad Kariv (Democrats) stated in response that under "Netanyahu’s leadership, Likud has become a Kahanist, nationalist, and anti-democratic party."

 Rabbi Meir Kahane at a New York news conference, Aug. 31, 1984.

'Calling it like it is': Netanyahu thanks Trump for letter asking for pardon

In the letter, Trump told Herzog that he believes that the Netanyahu trial was a " political, unjustified prosecution."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir during a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on November 10, 2025.

Ron Dermer resigns as minister, says Netanyahu’s gov’t will be remembered for Oct. 7

"This government will be remembered both for the October 7 attack and for its management of the two-and-a-half-year-long war and the seven fronts that followed," Dermer wrote.

Head of the negotiations for hostages release Minister Ron Dermer speaks at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.

Histadrut bribery scandal: Detentions of Bar-David, Gabbai extended until Thursday

Over 300 individuals are reportedly under investigation for the scandal, including multiple senior figures in the union and public institutions.

Lawyers and police investigators arrive for a court hearing in a major corruption case involving senior officials from the Histadrut at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court November 3, 2025

'Splendid success is beginning of road': Arab MKs praise New York mayoral elect Mamdani

"Mamdani will face difficulties along the way, because enemies and friends alike know the meaning of Mamdani’s success and his path," MK Ayman Odeh wrote.

Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani getsures on stage after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, at an election night rally in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, US, November 4, 2025.

Israeli politicians sound alarm over Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral win

“New York’s Jewish community deserves leaders who protect them, not target them,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told The Jerusalem Post.

A special plenary session marking 30 years since the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem, November 3, 2025.

Mother of former hostage urges putting politics aside ahead of Rabin memorial rally - interview

“It’s not the time to talk about policy, but rather to pause and feel the nation’s pain, and look at the future," Meirav Leshem Gonen told The Jerusalem Post.

A rally marking 30 years since the assassination of late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, at Tel Avivs Rabin Square on November 1, 2025, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated on November 4, 1995 by an Israeli extremist during a pro-peace rally in Tel Aviv.

Yitzhak Rabin assassination 30 years on: A lesson on condemning intolerance - opinion

Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination was an attack on the very foundation of Judaism by an observant Jew, a product of Religious Zionism’s educational and religious institutions. 

Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin speaks at a rally in support of the Oslo Accords, prior to his assassination at Tel Aviv’s Kings of Israel Square (later renamed Rabin Square), Nov. 4, 1995.