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


Solving the haredi military draft crisis with technology, politics, and creativity - opinion

While no perfect solution exists, a combination of technological adaptation, political compromise, and creative policy mechanisms may help balance these competing values.

 An illustrative image of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Israeli Jews near a sign for an IDF recruiting office.

Lapid tells US gov't that Netanyahu has 'safety net from him for hostage deal, Gaza ceasefire'

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has offered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a safety net to pass a hostage deal and ceasefire bill in the Knesset several times in 2025.

Yair Lapid speaking at Knesset.

Fueled by immigration, challenged by assimilation: Is Avigdor Liberman losing his political niche?

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Avigdor Liberman’s balancing act between Russian-speaking immigrants and a nationwide platform faces new tests following the migration wave of 2022.

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman.

Rosh Hashanah: Wishing for peace, better education in the new year - opinion

Given the complicated and divided national reality we are currently experiencing, there are few options for appropriate holiday greetings.

A RALLY for the release of hostages held in Gaza takes place outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Even the wish that all the hostages will soon be brought back home is not really an issue on which we are fully united, the writer observes.

Liberman rules out possibility of Arab, haredi partes in next government

The Yisrael Beytenu chair said that his decision reflects the "basic values of the Zionist movement."

Yisrael Beytenu party chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 14, 2025.

Appointment of Civil Service commissioner faces uncertainty in High Court

The government had repeatedly promised to establish an orderly process for High Commissioner appointments, but had failed to do so.

Supreme court justice Isaac Amit (C) arrives for a petition regarding the appointment of the civil service commissioner, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, February 6. 2025

No. 1: Benjamin Netanyahu: Flipping the Middle East on its head for better or worse

If influence, not approval, is our standard, Benjamin Netanyahu was the center of 5785. When he moved, the system moved: generals, ministers, markets, mediators, enemies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

No. 16: Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid: Leading Israel's opposition

Both Gantz and Lapid have voiced that they would provide Netanyahu with a “safety-net” for a hostage deal, offering political backing without preconditions. Yet, the two also have opposing opinions.

 YESH ATID head MK Yair Lapid and Blue and White head MK Benny Gantz

No. 32: Naftali Bennett: The former Israeli PM who may shape the nation's future

Without building a party, offering a platform, or unveiling a team, Naftali Bennett has already shifted the political map.

Naftali Bennett.

Gov't approves Netanyahu's chief of staff as Israel's ambassador to UK

Despite the approval, the process takes several months, and Braverman will most likely not arrive in London until November.

Cabinet secretary Tzachi Braverman seen at the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister office in Jerusalem on December 18, 2016.