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.

|ByHERB KEINON
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

A first reading of the budget must be approved for the state to approve it in March. 

|ByKESHET NEEV
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

Everyday, middle-of-the-road Israelis agree: playing politics with the country’s security is wrong and dangerous.

|ByJPOST 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

The bill explicitly bars defendants or convicts prosecuted under its provisions from being included in any future decisions on the release of terrorists as part of diplomatic negotiations.

|ByAVI SOLOMON

Netanyahu will not step away from Israeli politics for plea deal, intends to run again

Sources close to President Herzog said that a decision on Netanyahu's pardon will take at least two months.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025BySARAH BEN-NUN, AMICHAI STEIN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Knesset as President Isaac Herzog looks on on November 30, 2025.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu's pardon power play: A not-so-veiled offer to Israel's judiciary - analysis

The prime minister's pardon contained a not-so-veiled offer: Let me have a pardon and I will turn down the pressure on the legal establishment.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their vote during the elections for the Likud Central Committee, at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, November 25, 2025

Israel needs moral giants, not more politicians - opinion

It is time for moral Zionists, not just political tacticians, to rise. We must call upon - men and women of deep faith, courage, and integrity to join Israel’s political life once again.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025BySHMUEL LEGESSE
Natan Sharansky attends a meeting of the Knesset plenum in 2000. Imagine if Sharansky was not just a name in textbooks but again a living presence in our parliament, says the writer.

Bismuth advances updated ultra-Orthodox IDF draft bill as Knesset prepares for decisive debates

The revised bill is described by its drafters as a “balanced” response - but its core architecture offers the haredi sector a wide window of relief.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025BySARAH BEN-NUN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Likud MK Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, leads a meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2025

Israel Katz forces Netanyahu into mediation role as public clash with IDF chief grows

Despite Netanyahu's announcement that he would hold a three-way meeting to resolve the dispute, Katz has pushed for separate meetings.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
(L-R) Defense Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF chief Eyal Zamir at the graduation of an IDF officers' course, October 30, 2025

'Day after' cannot be just a slogan, or Israel could emerge same as before the war - editorial

Israel needs to invest heavily in its citizens, whether it is children who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or adults who have lost their businesses.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025ByJPOST EDITORIAL
The cumulative expenditure for the protests, distributed among 26 collectives, totals approximately NIS 2 million. Protesters rally in Jerusalem, July 23.

Demonizing Netanyahu won’t save democracy, only listening to the voters will - opinion

The public continues to support him because they believe he is strong, experienced, and capable of navigating the country.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025BySHMUEL LEGESSE
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu walks outside his office in the Knesset.

Israeli government must enforce policy against IDF draft evaders, High Court of Justice rules

The court issued an absolute order, requiring the state to act diligently and swiftly to initiate real criminal proceedings against haredi draft-evaders.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025BySARAH BEN-NUN
Sign held at protest against haredi draft reads: "Undettered by arrests, trembling from the targets," in reference to the IDF's set targets for haredi constription, Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox leaders give haredi factions green light to advance IDF draft bill

The past week has seen violence from within the haredi community from extremists who are against a law that would require army enlistment from members of the community.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByKESHET NEEV
Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

October 7 hero Maj.-Gen. (res.) Noam Tibon to enter Israeli politics with Lapid's Yesh Atid

Lapid and Tibon will deliver a joint statement at 7:15 p.m.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, AVI SOLOMON
Major General (Res.) Noam Tibon speaks during a rally against the war in Gaza and for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv, July 24, 2025.