Israel's top stories
Announcement of the Establishment of the First School in the Communities Evacuated and Returned to Northern Samaria
Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan announced the establishment of the first school in communities that were uprooted in the disengagement 21 years ago and returned to settle in northern Samaria. The school will admit kindergarten children, first- and second-grade pupils, and youth in the communities of Kadim and Na'ale.
First achievement for the change bloc: Organizing committee approved in the Knesset
The organizing committee headed by MK Roy Folkman was approved in the plenum of the 26th Knesset, after some 70 MKs signed up to speak in the debate preceding the vote. The vote was delayed after the coalition tried to stall.
Letter Trump Left for Biden in the Oval Office in 2021 Revealed
Joe Biden revealed in his autobiography the letter Donald Trump left him in the Oval Office when Biden entered the White House in 2021. In the letter Trump wrote: "I know how much you love the American people," and signed "Warm regards, Donald."
Porush in Knesset: Opposition called Haredim 'Draft Dodgers Alliance'
MK Meir Porush attacked the opposition in the plenum after calls for political cooperation with the Haredi public. He said the incitement directed against the Haredim does not fit with the request for a partnership.
Government approves appointments of four new ambassadors to Israel
The government approved a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to appoint four new ambassadors for Israel. The appointments include Anna Ben Ezra as Israel's ambassador to Latvia, Ido Bromberg as ambassador to Honduras, Barak Granot as ambassador to Nigeria, and Yosef Friedman as ambassador to Cameroon.
At the opening of the 26th Knesset, MK Meir Porush submitted bills to defer conscription for yeshiva students and to freeze arrests
MK Meir Porush submitted two bills at the opening of the 26th Knesset to regulate the status of yeshiva students. One allows deferment of service until age 26, and the other freezes enforcement and arrest proceedings against yeshiva students for one year.
Abbas Reveals Plan Being Examined to Bring Haredim and Ra'am Together
Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas said a coalition cooperation framework between his party and the Haredi parties is being examined, with support from the Joint List from outside. According to him, the track being worked on is cooperation between him and Shas and United Torah Judaism.
Naftali Bennett issued his first statement since the election results were published, saying he is doing everything to help Gadi Eisenkot form a Zionist repair government. In a closed conversation with heads of the change bloc, he refuses to take off the table a joint session with Likud and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mansour Abbas: We Aim to Be Part of the Next Government
Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas said at his faction's meeting in the Knesset that the Netanyahu bloc is set to become the opposition, and that Ra'am will continue to advance the replacement of the government and aims to be part of it. Abbas did not deny that Ra'am aims to be part of the coalition and the government.
Beyachad Party Submits 'Servicemembers Law' With Benefits for Reservists and Discharged Soldiers
The Beyachad party, led by Naftali Bennett, submitted its first bill to the Knesset, the Servicemembers Law, which grants benefits to reservists and discharged soldiers. The proposal includes funding of up to 4,000 shekels a month for a daycare center or family daycare for each reservist, 50% discounts on electricity, water, municipal tax and public transportation bills, and an expansion of academic study funding.
13 Republican Attorneys General Demand Britain and the Netherlands Lift Sanctions on Israel
13 Republican attorneys general from the United States sent a letter to the ambassadors of Britain and the Netherlands in Washington, demanding that they lift sanctions on economic activity in the settlements in Judea and Samaria. The letter warns that British and Dutch companies could lose American contracts and investments and face economic countermeasures.
MK Simcha Rothman submits 85 bills to the Knesset
MK Simcha Rothman submitted 85 bills at the opening of the 26th Knesset, about 20 of which concern the judicial system. Among the proposals: splitting the role of the Attorney General, limiting the powers of the High Court of Justice, and restoring immunity for Knesset members.
Yonatan Shalev: Silence on Social Media, Talks with the Haredim and Criticism of Concessions
Yonatan Shalev, the youngest Knesset member in the country's history, entered the Knesset on behalf of the Yachad party led by Naftali Bennett. After a period of silence, amid talks to form a government with the Haredi parties, he responded to criticism online and said: "We will not compromise on values."
MK Kruizer promotes bill requiring loyalty declaration as condition for voting and running for Knesset
MK Kruizer of Otzma Yehudit submitted a bill that would require every voter and every Knesset candidate to declare loyalty to the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Refusal to declare would lead to revoking the right to vote or to be elected, and to ending the tenure of a Knesset member.
Arab States Back Haredi Parties Joining Eisenkot's Government
Diplomats from Arab states are following negotiations to form a government led by Gadi Eisenkot and view favorably the possibility that the Haredi parties will join it. According to reports, they estimate that the Haredim will not place obstacles in the way of political arrangements.
MK Son Har-Melech submits bill to dissolve Knesset on day of 26th Knesset's inauguration
Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Limor Son Har-Melech submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset on the day the 26th Knesset was inaugurated. According to her, there are grave suspicions of election forgery and voter fraud, as well as interference by enemy states in the results.
Smotrich to Matan Kahana: "Don't be a frog in a pan"
Minister Bezalel Smotrich approached Matan Kahana and told him it would not be wise to refuse the position offered to him, adding: "Don't be a frog in a pan." Later in the appeal, he urged him not to be dragged after Gadi and not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Yesh Atid leader Gadi Eisenkot has ordered the cancellation of a negotiating meeting with the Likud team scheduled for tomorrow. The decision came after Netanyahu's speech at the swearing-in ceremony of the Knesset, which the party says was a divisive speech. The Likud responded that it is willing to meet with representatives of any faction that wants unity.
Yair Netanyahu attacks Gadi Eisenkot; Yashar! responds
Yair Netanyahu, son of the prime minister, called Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot a "golem, a puppet on a string" and wrote that "Israel may not survive him." The remarks were posted on X on the day the 26th Knesset was sworn in, while Benjamin Netanyahu calls for a unity government under his leadership.
Mansour Abbas accuses Netanyahu: "He trusted Sinwar"
Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told him at a meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in Balfour, during Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, that he and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar understand each other. Abbas accused Netanyahu of knowing that the money transferred to Gaza reached Hamas's military wing.
Vote on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to take place next week
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has scheduled a debate and vote on replacing him for next Tuesday at 16:00, following a formal request from more than 61 Knesset members. The vote will take place on the last day on which custom permits it.
Tally Gotliv on the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset: "This is not a day of celebration, it is a day of shame and disgrace"
Knesset member Tally Gotliv arrived at the Knesset ahead of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset and made clear that, in her view, it is a day of shame and disgrace rather than a day of celebration. According to her, she came to a day of political battle. Gotliv attacked the Arab Knesset members whose swearing-in was held on the same day.
Clash in the Plenum During Jabareen's Swearing-In; Ben-Gvir: "Who is he pledging to? Hamas?"
In the plenum of the 26th Knesset, during the swearing-in of Knesset members, Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, declared "I pledge." Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir interrupted him and shouted at him: "Who is he pledging to? Hamas?" Speaker Amir Ohana called for order and threatened to remove disruptors from the plenum.
Liberman Attacks Joint List After Walkout During Anthem
Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman attacked the Joint List after its members walked out of the Knesset plenum during the singing of the national anthem. Liberman asked: "With them, you want to form a government?"
Yair Golan Walks Out of Knesset Plenary During Netanyahu Speech at Swearing-In
Democrats leader Yair Golan left the Knesset plenary during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the swearing-in ceremony. Bennett interrupted the speech, calling on Netanyahu about his Qatari advisers.
The Yisrael Beytenu party submitted 67 signatures of 26th Knesset members to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, demanding his replacement and a plenum vote to elect a new Knesset speaker, and the candidacy of Matan Kahana was formally submitted. United Torah Judaism rejected the request to join the move and said the replacement of the Knesset speaker should take place when a new government is formed.
Swearing-in Ceremony Ends; Arab Knesset Members Leave Plenum During HaTikvah
At the end of the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset, after all 120 Knesset members had pledged allegiance, 19 Arab Knesset members left the plenum as the national anthem began. Mansour Abbas, chairman of Ra'am, remained in his seat and did not sing the anthem.
Elisha Meddan sworn into 26th Knesset, standing on prosthetic legs to Plenum applause
Likud MK Elisha Meddan, who was critically wounded in combat in Gaza three years ago and lost both legs, was sworn into the 26th Knesset and stood on his prosthetic legs while taking the oath of allegiance. Knesset members and ministers rose and cheered him with prolonged applause.
Haredi Publications Signal Shift Toward Change Bloc on Conditions for Yeshiva Students' Status Arrangement
Haredi publications, including the Gur Hasidic movement's "HaModia" and "HaMevaser," signal that Haredi parties may join a government not led by the Netanyahu bloc, on condition that the status of yeshiva students is regulated. The articles call for binding guarantees for the arrangement and an end to persecution, and the remarks were published after Yitzhak Eisenkot received the mandate and United Torah Judaism refrained from recommending a candidate.
Herzog Urges Knesset Members to Avoid Repeat Elections
President Isaac Herzog spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset and called on members of the house to avoid repeat elections. He said the public thirsts for routine, security and peace.
