Israel's top stories
US offered Ukraine withdrawal from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership
Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed that American negotiators offered Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership. According to Zelensky, the proposal was raised in the negotiations to end the war with Russia.
Judges in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to appear in person at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 18. The hearing will address options for advancing the proceedings against Netanyahu and, if necessary, will be held behind closed doors.
Miriam Peretz, the mother of Yisrael Beytenu MK Eliyahu Peretz, said her son would leave the Knesset if his party sits in a coalition with an Arab party. According to her, pressure is being applied to him and to her, and she did not specify who is applying it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Gadi Eisenkot met at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem for a diplomatic-security briefing, attended by the military secretary, Maj. Gen. Guy Markizano. At the end of a meeting lasting about two hours, the two issued a joint statement saying they had agreed to continue mutual updates as needed.
Liberman to Take Over as Chair of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee; Vote on Appointment Postponed
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman will take up the post of chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, after the Netanyahu bloc prevented the vote on the appointment from taking place. Liberman announced that he intends to summon the chief of staff and the head of the Mossad for discussions on Iran.
United Torah Judaism sets three conditions for coalition partnership; Yaakov Asher rules out support for minority government
United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher said his party will not join a government without regulating the draft law, independence of Haredi education, and preservation of the status quo on religion and state. Asher also ruled out outside support for a minority government, and the development of contacts with the change bloc remains unclear.
US President Donald Trump said the United States does not need an agreement with Iran, and that it has Tehran's money and the Strait of Hormuz. He ordered his deputy JD Vance to stop his engagement in talks with Iran and to focus on crime and corruption in democratic countries.
Tibi reveals messages he says he received from Netanyahu associate before elections
MK Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List displayed on a live broadcast messages he said he received from Nathan Eshel, a associate of the prime minister, before and during election day. According to him, the messages were sent to dissuade him from joining Eisenkot and from supporting the defendant law.
Prime Minister Netanyahu met overnight with United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher, and Likud estimates it has succeeded in blocking the Haredi parties' rapprochement with the change bloc. In parallel, Netanyahu met with Eliezer Stark of the Torah Israel Wall, as part of an effort to split United Torah Judaism.
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman announced that his party will show flexibility on the conscription law issue and work to advance a framework that will pass the High Court of Justice test. Liberman made clear he will not support a government that relies on Ra'am and the Joint List.
Senior Trump administration officials have moved to live on military bases over security threats
A number of senior officials in the US administration, including Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have in recent months moved to live in secure military facilities in the Washington, D.C. area. The move is driven by security considerations and various threats aimed at senior administration officials.
Vance Weighs Not Running for President in 2028; No Decision Yet
US Vice President JD Vance is seriously considering not running in the 2028 presidential election, according to reports based on conversations with his advisers and associates. According to the reports, Vance has not yet made a final decision and is weighing his political ambitions, the challenges of fatherhood, and rifts within the MAGA movement.
Husband of Finance Committee Chair Demands Apology and Compensation from Hanoch Milwidsky for Defamation
Itai Ben Horin, husband of Finance Committee chair Liron Avishar Ben Horin, sent a pre-lawsuit warning letter to MK Hanoch Milwidsky over his claim that pressure was applied to him regarding the taxation of bank profits. Ben Horin demands an apology within 24 hours and compensation, and threatens a defamation lawsuit.
Teddy Riner announces run for French presidency in 2027
Judoka Teddy Riner announced his entry into the race for the French presidency in 2027, three days after the announcement by Danox's president: investment bank Saxo Bank announced it would end its participation in an advertising campaign. The details of the move are still not entirely clear.
Sen. Van Hollen to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leadership
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, announced he will run for the Senate Democratic leader post against Sen. Chuck Schumer. Van Hollen, 67, is a prominent critic of Israel.
Israel bans entry of leaders of France's far-left party
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has decided to ban the entry into Israel of Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Mathilde Panot, leaders of the "La France Insoumise" party. The decision was made following their statements against the country, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned it.
Lapid: Government will be formed, even at the cost of painful compromises
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said at his party's convention that forming the government may take time, but it will be formed. He said painful compromises will be needed, and that not all goals and promises may be implemented in the coming six months.
Amit Segal: At 77, Netanyahu Is in a Difficult Position
Commentator Amit Segal addressed the political situation in Israel and the options for forming a government at a Israel Hayom conference in New York. According to him, Netanyahu is in a difficult position and may be forced to wait.
Agudat Israel Demands From Change Bloc: Draft Exemption Law and Override Clause
Agudat Israel rabbis set out conditions for joining the government, according to a demands document, including a law exempting Haredim from conscription and an override clause. According to a legal opinion that reached senior figures in the Change Bloc, there is no feasibility of passing an exemption law that the High Court would approve, and the details are still unclear.
Eisenkot Bloc Plans to Set Up Committees to Repeal the 'Coup'
Heads of the Change Bloc agreed to establish four special committees to repeal the judicial overhaul laws, most of them led by the Democrats. The committees will deal with the Judicial Selection Committee, the Attorney General law, the Military Police Investigations Department (MPID) law, the communications law, and the incapacitation law.
Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg said the Shin Bet investigation into suspicions related to the elections to the 26th Knesset is continuing, but the evidentiary picture has not changed materially, and the classified information has not yet matured into concrete evidence. The Likud claims that 1,281 complaints about suspicions of forgery and election bribery have not yet been examined.
The government unanimously approved a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appoint Gideon Sa'ar as Interior Minister, in addition to his role as Foreign Minister. The appointment comes after more than a year in which the Interior Ministry operated without a serving minister.
Sohlberg on election suspicions: the information has not yet matured into evidence
Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, gave an update on the affair of suspicions of bribery and foreign interference in the elections, and said that classified information had been presented that so far has not matured into actual evidence. He added that it may never mature, and that the leaks harm the investigation.
Interior Minister Moves to Revoke Citizenship of Ziad Jabarin from Umm al-Fahm
Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar has initiated proceedings to revoke the citizenship of Ziad Jabarin, a resident of Umm al-Fahm who was convicted of aiding a suicide bombing and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The proceedings were opened one day after Sa'ar's appointment to the post.
Shimon Riklin Proposes Yinon Magal as Netanyahu's Successor
Shimon Riklin said on the 'Limin Shor' podcast that if Benjamin Netanyahu resigns, he would first call Yinon Magal. According to him, a tough battle is expected at the top of the right between Magal and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
MK Rozin demands criminal charges against Rabbi Axelrod over "din rodef" ruling
MK Michal Rozin demanded opening a criminal investigation against Rabbi Gedalia Axelrod over a "din rodef" ruling against party leaders who would support a government with the participation of the Arab parties. Twenty former senior figures in academia, the defense establishment and the judiciary signed a letter to Commissioner Boaz Blat demanding an investigation of the rabbi on suspicion of incitement to murder.
Filber Outlines Scenario in Which Liberman Serves as Prime Minister with Haredi Support
Commentator Shlomo Filber believes Liberman could reach the premiership with Haredi support. According to him, just over 30 days remain to close the necessary agreements.
Yosef Haddad Quits 'Amcha Israel' and Announces Return to Public Advocacy
Hasbara activist Yosef Haddad announced his departure from the 'Amcha Israel' party after the elections, in which the result he had hoped for was not achieved. He said the political chapter has ended and that he is returning to advocacy work on behalf of the state.
Liberman Warns Against Security Decisions by Transitional Government
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman warned that the transitional government may not make decisions that could drag Israel into war without parliamentary oversight and the full agreement of all security officials. His remarks came against the backdrop of tensions with Iran and following a letter Gadi Eisenkot sent to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gotliv removed from Governing Committee debate after confrontation with Arab MK
MK Tali Gotliv was removed from the Governing Committee debate after moving toward MK Walid Alhuashla and calling him a "terror supporter." Three MKs were expelled from the hall, and committee chair Polkman struggled to restore order during the first session.
