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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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New US envoy: Israel’s struggle against its enemies is a ‘battle between heaven and hell’

Mike Huckabee, an Evangelical, declares Israel ‘a chosen place for a chosen people,’ lauds Trump for reversing Biden’s ‘ridiculous...

tuesday 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Bring them to justice’: MKs demand legal action against anti-IDF Haredi protesters

Yisrael Beytenu’s Forer demands AG enforce law against inciting evasion. Finance Minister Smotrich calls on law enforcement to ‘seize the rioters...

tuesday 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Zionists are not Jews’: Haredi extremists harass recruits from their community at IDF centers

Police clash with jeering, road-blocking protesters; IDF chief denounces extremists, says army ‘needs everyone’; Religious Zionism MK appears at...

28.04.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Edelstein says Knesset near to drafting new enlistment law, won’t accept ultimatums

‘The goal of this law is to reach a kind of agreement with the rabbis and the Haredi leadership,’ Defense Ministry deputy director tells MKs

28.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

At Knesset hearing, AG dismisses accusation of selective enforcement in leak cases

Shin Bet admits to probing law enforcement, denies gathering intelligence on politicians in investigation of Kahanist elements infiltrating police

27.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett accuses PM of preventing victory over Hamas by not drafting ultra-Orthodox

Former premier says military ‘stretched past the limit’ since Oct. 7, demands government draft 20% of eligible Haredim to offset ‘stagnation’...

27.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM shares call for Shin Bet to arrest dozens over faux ‘severed heads’ protest display

Netanyahu endorses post by hawkish hostages’ families’ group that attributes ‘displays of murder and hatred’ to feud between premier and Bar,...

27.04.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Mayor sparks uproar with Holocaust day speech condemning ‘lust for revenge’ in Gaza

Hod Hasharon Mayor Amir Kochavi says Israelis must not be silent, even against atrocities ‘carried out in our name,’ amid call for hostages’ return...

24.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Stymied on conscription, Haredi party declares itself free from coalition discipline

UTJ official says party ‘will not bring down the government’ but will vote independently unless progress is made on exempting yeshiva students...

24.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM’s adviser: Haredi IDF bill will pass ‘with or without’ committee chair Edelstein

Remarks suggest Netanyahu considering removing or bypassing senior Likud lawmaker; Edelstein says committee will soon start drafting final version of...

23.04.2025 7

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Court orders Netanyahu aides to be released from house arrest in Qatargate case

22.04.2025 6

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Send your children to fight’: Smotrich spars with Haredi MKs over hostages, IDF

Dispute among coalition members sparked after Shas and United Torah Judaism lawmakers slam finance minister for saying that ‘returning the...

22.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Iran accuses Israel of trying to ‘undermine’ nuclear talks with US

Tehran spokesman says ‘coalition is forming’ to disrupt talks in Israel and US; Iranian FM to visit China, says ‘it’s natural...

21.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu aide and Qatargate suspect Jonatan Urich has no security clearance – report

Longtime senior adviser said to have halted his application rather than take polygraph test; PM’s Office dismisses account as fake news that...

21.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid warns ‘crazy incitement’ against Ronen Bar could lead to ‘political murder’

‘Silence your ministers,’ opposition leader pleads with Netanyahu, whose office reportedly pressured the ousted Shin Bet chief not to file...

21.04.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett hospitalized overnight after feeling unwell, undergoes cardiac catheterization

Former PM was admitted to Meir Medical Center following a workout and is in good condition, says his spokesperson; will remain hospitalized for...

20.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset panel vote to choose candidate for AG oversight group canceled after deadlock

As it moves to oust Baharav-Miara, coalition fails to agree on compromise candidate for committee that plays key role in dismissal, with deliberation...

09.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud MK Ofir Katz appointed to panel that selects judicial ombudsman

At the same time, Constitution, Law and Justice Committee cancels vote to appoint Knesset representative to committee responsible for selecting and...

08.04.2025 9

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Poll: 31% of public says government should ignore court on Shin Bet head’s ouster

Small minority of voters for pro-Netanyahu parties find it necessary to obey potential High Court order against dismissal of Ronen Bar, survey finds

08.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Macron to urge Israeli resumption of Gaza aid while visiting key Egypt port

French president will meet with sick Palestinians receiving treatment and medics at key aid transit point in El-Arish

08.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Does the 2025 state budget encourage Haredim to evade IDF service?

Critics charge that allocating over NIS 1 billion in yeshiva funding incentivizes draft evasion, while Haredim complain they are being ‘slandered’...

08.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Coalition MKs back protesters causing chaos at High Court hearing on Bar firing

Justice minister says cries at court ‘echo the cries of millions’ who feel democracy trampled upon by judges; Lapid pans ‘orchestrated riot,’...

08.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu files defamation lawsuit against Democrats party chief

Yair Golan had sent a message to supporters of the center-left party accusing the PM of ‘selling Israel’s security for money’ in Qatargate scandal

04.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich reverses resignation as PM helps patch rift among his far-right partners

Almog Cohen agrees to take deputy ministerial post, resign as MK so Religious Zionism member can rejoin Knesset after being forced out by Otzma...

03.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

With only 2% of Haredim heeding IDF draft orders, Liberman urges action against leaders

Opposition MK accuses senior ultra-Orthodox Rabbis Dov Lando and Yitzhak Yosef of promoting evasion during wartime, a crime punishable by 15 years in...

03.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Tel Aviv suburb says it’ll defy order to shut new mall on Shabbat amid Haredi threats

Ultra-Orthodox vow boycott of all chains operating in new BIG fashion mall in Ramat Hasharon if it opens on Jewish rest day; Lapid: ‘Stop...

02.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

More B-2 stealth bombers seen at US base in striking distance of Iran, Yemen

At least 6 bombers now at Diego Garcia in Indian Ocean, nearly a third of all nuclear-capable B-2s in US arsenal; at least 4 killed in suspected US...

02.04.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir again ascends, prays on Temple Mount; Haredi MK slams visit as ‘desecration’

National security minister’s visit to flashpoint site immediately after Ramadan’s conclusion stirs ‘unnecessary incitement in Muslim world,’...

02.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Former PM Naftali Bennett registers new political party ahead of 2026 elections

Recent polls show new party beating out Netanyahu’s Likud if elections were held today, though source close to Bennett says move does not constitute...

01.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In blitz, Knesset passes laws to rebuild the south, revoke benefits for terrorists

Lawmakers end winter parliamentary session with flurry of votes ahead of month-long recess, including forming an anti-poverty authority, banning...

01.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich briefly resigns as minister in order to push rival party member out of Knesset

Religious Zionism party chief slated to reclaim post following maneuver to oust Otzma Yehudit MK Yitzhak Kroizer, amid spat between factions that ran...

01.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu’s party: Arrest of PM’s aides in Qatargate probe is ‘coup d’état’ by AG, Shin Bet

As advisers are held and premier himself is summoned by police, opposition figures say his ‘wave of spin’ is meant to divert attention from other...

31.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In attacks on media outlets, Netanyahu asks why public broadcaster should be funded

Prime minister also reportedly tells defense, communications ministers to clarify need for Army Radio; Diaspora Minister Chikli accuses Haaretz...

30.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Top ultra-Orthodox rabbi orders yeshiva students to ignore IDF conscription orders

In letter published on front page of party newspaper Yated Neeman, Degel HaTorah spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando prohibits yeshiva students from...

30.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset passes law greatly boosting political control over appointment of judges

Measure changing composition of Judicial Selection Committee passes 67-1 after opposition lawmakers boycott final vote. ‘Collapse of the last brake...

27.03.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Democracy isn’t in danger,’ Netanyahu tells Knesset in tirade against ‘deep state’

‘The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release our hostages, the more powerful the pressure we will exert,’ says PM, threatening to seize...

26.03.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In major success for government, Knesset approves 2025 budget, staving off elections

Coalition lawmakers escorted into Knesset under guard as anti-government protesters block entrance. Opposition MKs chant ‘shame’, families of...

25.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Tough sledding for Gal Gadot’s ‘Snow White’ with $43 million opening

Remake of Disney classic brings in just $43 million in ticket sales, after Gaza war comments by star Rachel Zegler and calls to boycott film over...

25.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Billions are being stolen’: Opposition slams 2025 state budget ahead of final vote

MKs launch 15-hour extended debate of controversial NIS 756 billion ($203.5 billion) wartime budget, which Lapid pans as the ‘greatest robbery in...

25.03.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

UTJ’s Goldknopf symbolically ‘resigns’ from role in PMO amid row over Haredi draft

Housing minister keeps main portfolio but relinquishes second position, citing lack of progress toward military exemption for yeshiva students

25.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi minister dances to anti-Zionist song, drawing bipartisan calls for his firing

Yitzchak Goldknopf filmed among crowd singing ‘We will die and not enlist [to the IDF]’; he apologizes after initially dismissing criticism as...

24.03.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM, President Herzog, Haredi ministers condemn mob attack on Beit Shemesh mayor

‘We must denounce the extremists and the violent among us,’ says United Torah Judaism chairman Goldknopf in wake of assault on Degel...

20.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Israel ranks as 8th-happiest nation in global survey, down from 5th last year

Despite ongoing war and political turmoil, Israeli young adults rank highest in self-reported quality of social connections, while in the...

20.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Clearing path for budget vote, MKs pass Economic Arrangements Law as Haredim back down

Ben Gvir’s return to the coalition defangs UTJ chief Yitzchak Goldknopf’s threat to scuttle 2025 state budget unless law exempting yeshiva...

20.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi extremists attack Beit Shemesh mayor and his family, overturn his car

Assailants injure Shmuel Greenberg’s 19-year-old son; video shows armored police rushing mayor from scene as mob shouting ‘Nazi’...

20.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir reappointed police minister as Knesset okays his party’s return to government

Otzma Yehudit rejoins coalition only hours before critical budget vote, bringing coalition majority to 68; Ben Gvir links move to resumption of Gaza...

20.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett: PM must quit over Qatari payments to aide; if received knowingly, it’s ‘treason’

Former prime minister calls out leader for ‘cover-up’ of scandal and resistance to investigation; Likud calls him a ‘crook’...

20.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-right Otzma Yehudit returning to the government after resumption of war in Gaza

‘Together in strength, for the sake of the people of Israel,’ Ben Gvir exults following end of two-month stint in the opposition over...

18.03.2025 7

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

AG urges defense minister to take ‘immediate action’ to penalize Haredi draft evaders

Government must ‘improve enforcement and impose personal sanctions,’ Deputy AG Limon writes, says only a ‘negligible’ fraction...

18.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition party chiefs to petition High Court against PM’s effort to fire Ronen Bar

Lawmakers accuse Netanyahu of targeting Shin Bet chief to stop probe of aides’ Qatar links, while ministers say AG’s demand that the...

17.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol