Nir Barkat

'Chutzpan': Netanyahu removes Smotrich, Amsalem from cabinet meeting after shouting match

The clash intensified when Smotrich said, “Who are you anyway? Why are you interfering?" and Amsalem replied, “You’re not speaking politely, don’t call me chutzpan.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.
Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat unveiling his "Israel Basket" project, January 4, 2026.

Economy Minister Barkat sues Channel 12 for NIS 12m. in largest libel lawsuit ever filed in Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025.

Netanyahu secures overwhelming Likud support, internal poll shows

Unveiling of the new F-35 during a rollout ceremony of F-35 fighter jets ordered by Finland at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, US December 16, 2025.

Pentagon watchdog criticizes Lockheed Martin for US F-35 maintenance failures - Bloomberg


Gun license applications spike by 600% in Israel since March terror wave

New data reveals 151,015 private firearms are currently in the possession of 141,646 authorized civilians • Likud MK Nir Barkat insisted that more requests must be approved in 2022

 Israelis practice shooting handguns at a local shooting range in the northern town of Katsrin, Golan Heights, on April 3, 2022, following the recent wave of terror attacks in Israel.

Grapevine: Fighting terror

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG with philanthropist Shari Arison on Good Deeds Day.

Likud MK Barkat calls for patience on Netanyahu plea decision

Netanyahu faced criticism over the weekend from former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, who is likely to enter politics soon.

BARKAT TAKES an election-night photo with a Bibi-masked man at Likud Party headquarters in Tel Aviv on March 2.

Meet Benjamin Netanyahu's potential successors to head Likud

With nine candidates running, Israel's next prime minister could be elected by the fewest people ever.

Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a Likud faction meeting in the Knesset.

David Amsalem says fellow Likud MK Barkat 'should sit in jail'

Likud MK David Amsalem once again took aim at fellow faction member Nir Barkat, a week after his "anti-Barkat bill" divided the right-wing party.

MK David Amsalem (Likud) at the Knesset Plenum, January 3, 2022.

Barkat: Likud MKs cooperated with party's enemies

Ministers to vote on bills that would require all Israeli kids to study Arabic, create Unity Day

NIR BARKAT at a rally supporting him on Thursday night, June 10 2021

Knesset advances campaign fundraising limit to avoid US model

Likud splits over anti-Barkat bill meant to limit donations.

Likud MK Nir Barkat addresses a Kohelet Policy Forum event, February 12, 2020.

The hot potato that could burn the Likud - analysis

The Likud canceled a meeting so that the faction wouldn't have to decide how to handle the ultimate political hot potato: The anti-Barkat bill.

Likud MK Nir Barkat addresses a Kohelet Policy Forum event, February 12, 2020.

Coalition, Likud rivals gang up on Barkat

A biill that is set to pass would limit billionaire MK Nir Barkat and his family to annual donations of 100,000

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to a Likud Party meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday.

Netanyahu opens fire on future Likud contenders

Both Israel Katz and Nir Barkat have said they would run for Likud leader in the post-Netanyahu era but would not run against him. 

 Likud head Benjamin Netanyahu at his party faction meeting, December 13, 2021.