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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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Netanyahu promises Haredi draft bill by month’s end, as ultra-Orthodox threaten budget

Legislation meant to renew sweeping exemptions from military service, after fierce Haredi opposition to High Court ruling ordering government to end...

09.10.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Following inconclusive vote, AG demands second round in chief rabbi election

Call for runoff comes after a single miscast ballot left rabbis Micha Halevi and Kalman Bar with 40 votes apiece in last Sunday’s Chief Rabbinical...

08.10.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘I’m only human’: Regev faces growing criticism over wartime transit, travel snafus

From allegedly failing to arrange buses for reservists to mistakenly claiming to be at a cabinet meeting but on a trip to Budapest, Israel’s...

07.10.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM says weighing plan for siege on Hamas in north Gaza; believes half of hostages alive

During closed-door meeting with lawmakers, Netanyahu argues putting pressure on Hezbollah could help force Hamas’s Sinwar to the table, predicts ICC...

23.09.2024 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Sa’ar abandons pursuit of defense minister role as Lebanon fighting escalates

Confirming PM offered that he replace Gallant, New Hope chief says it is inappropriate given the circumstances; does not shut door on entering...

22.09.2024 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir boycotts meeting on Arab crime with Netanyahu amid new spat

PM quoted saying he’s ‘not impressed by such boycotts’ after latest clash with national security minister

20.09.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Right-wing lawmakers question IDF’s claimed defeat of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade

Likud MK Halevi accuses military of ‘misleading’ public over Hamas death toll; former top defense official argues matter ‘irrelevant’ so long...

20.09.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

IDF surveillance troops testify to glitches, neglect, no warfare training before Oct. 7

They had no weapons, no directives in case of base being overrun, says father of Noa Price, killed at Nahal Oz; ex-soldier at base describes broken...

18.09.2024 8

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Israel to revoke press credentials of Al Jazeera reporters after ban on network

Government Press Office says move to apply to journalists, broadcasters, not producers or photographers; network says it has 14 staffers with press...

13.09.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Son of prominent Ukrainian rabbi killed on frontlines of war with Russia

Anton (Moty) Samborsky, son of Kyiv rabbi Moshe Azman, listed as missing since July; MK Yuli Edelstein says his ‘heart breaks,’ says Israelis and...

12.09.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Witness: For years before Oct. 7, ‘PM told me he’d never order IDF to topple Hamas’

Channel 13’s Or Heller says PM told him alternative to Hamas was anarchy, ‘did not believe in any way in the possibility of military action to...

11.09.2024 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-right minister Sofer signals backing for unity government, Ben Gvir opposes

Lapid ‘wants to drag Israel and Netanyahu into complete surrender,’ argues Ben Gvir, rejecting opposition leader’s possible inclusion in...

11.09.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Labor’s Golan calls on opposition to coordinate and establish ‘shadow government’

Opposition Leader Lapid denies Shas is pushing Netanyahu to bring opposition parties into the coalition to dilute Ben Gvir’s influence

10.09.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset set to vote on billions for the north, but some coalition MKs are opposed

Proposal would increase budget by almost $924 million. United Torah Judaism, Noam and Otzma Yehudit parties threaten to tank bill unless their...

09.09.2024 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Court shuts down Histadrut strike, accepting government claim it was political

Union boss says he’ll respect ruling, but doesn’t regret move; MKs urge class action suit; some activists protest against strike demanding...

02.09.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Histadrut labor union announces nationwide strike, over failure to release hostages

‘A deal is more important than anything else,’ says Bar-David, amid outrage over killing of 6 captives; Smotrich says strike illegal, accuses him...

02.09.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid says Netanyahu knew for months before Oct. 7 that a violent eruption was looming

Opposition leader: Disaster could have been prevented, PM seemed ‘bored’ when told of dangers during joint briefing; PM’s office: He ‘did not...

29.08.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After ‘Rabbis Law’ stymied, Shas minister advances appointments of municipal rabbis

Michael Malkieli’s spokesman says he doesn’t believe Haredi party ditched effort to pass bill despite Ben Gvir’s opposition, but ‘there’s an...

29.08.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-right minister calls for expulsion of Eritrean asylum seekers after deadly brawl

Ben Gvir’s demand follows Tel Aviv fight between pro-regime and anti-regime factions in which two people were killed

25.08.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘We are in the abyss’: Coalition turns on itself following mob attack on IDF bases

MKs call on leaders ‘to stop tearing us apart from the inside’ after far-right politicians join mobs attacking Sde Teiman, Beit Lid; PM...

30.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu, Herzog appeal for ‘calm’ after mob storms IDF base with far-right MKs

Right-wing politicians furious after Military Police arrest 9 soldiers suspected of seriously abusing Gaza terror detainee at Sde Teiman; IDF chief:...

29.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset’s summer session ends but parliamentary activity continues

Despite three-month recess, Knesset committees will still convene and the government is expected to push for passage of a Shas-backed bill on funding...

28.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Tear Beirut apart’: Politicians beat war drums following Majdal Shams rocket attack

As Smotrich says ‘Nasrallah should pay with his head’ and Ben Gvir demands ‘war in the north now,’ opposition leaders also...

28.07.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset panel to oversee IDF probes into October 7 failure

New subcommittee will oversee the military’s internal investigations but cannot serve as a substitute for a state commission of inquiry, says...

25.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MKs give initial nod to bill empowering Knesset to choose judicial ombudsman

Critics assert legislation would politicize justice system, slam Justice Minister Levin for failing to appoint successor to recently retired judge...

25.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In late-night session, Knesset hands Ben Gvir authority over building violations

Giving the far-right minister such power means ‘more demolitions, more murders, more lawlessness in Arab society,’ asserts Ra’am MK...

25.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MKs pass bill cementing Haredi control over community’s censored ‘kosher’ phones

Controversial bill undoes 2022 reform that gave ultra-Orthodox full carrier mobility; Deri: ‘For the first time, the law recognizes the...

25.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir declares Jewish prayer permitted on Temple Mount, defying status quo

PM’s office pushes back against far-right minister, insists current situation in which Jews are banned from praying at holy site ‘has not...

24.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir’s exclusion from Netanyahu’s security forum sparks public feud with Shas

Shas chief Deri reportedly ‘vetoes’ far-right minister’s inclusion in proposed high-level decision-making body; whereupon Otzma...

24.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

IOC hears Palestinian request to ban Israel from Olympics over war in Gaza

Palestine Olympic Committee says some 400 athletes killed, others denied safe passage from Gaza due to ongoing war; call likely to be rejected

23.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As Knesset summer session winds down, lawmakers rush to pass last-minute bills

Ahead of three-month recess beginning next week, lawmakers vote in favor of bills on everything from establishing canine DNA databases to cutting...

23.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lawmakers advance legislation to shut down Palestinian relief agency UNRWA

Bill would ban UN’s Palestinian aid agency from operating in Israel, remove employees’ legal immunities, and brand it a terrorist organization

22.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As Netanyahu flies to DC, Israeli politicians seek to sway his agenda from afar

Right-wing MKs call on PM to emphasize fight against Iran, push back on sanctions against settlers in meeting with Biden; Lapid demands he announce...

22.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

2 Likud MKs say current hostage deal proposal would undermine government’s legitimacy

Doubling down on warning to PM, two lawmakers say they cannot be part of a coalition that fails to dismantle Hamas, removes troops from Gaza-Egypt...

21.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich slams report of possible US sanctions against himself, Ben Gvir

Finance minister says he’s ‘ready to pay any price’ to prevent Palestinian state, argues potential measure ‘constitutes a...

21.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Hostage families accuse Likud MK of ‘disrespectful behavior,’ aide shoves camera away

Approached outside parliament halls, Knesset deputy speaker Nissim Vaturi seems to scorn relatives’ concerns over starving captives, as...

21.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Weary of government’s delays, survivors launch unofficial October 7 probe

‘Civil commission’ whose members include two retired generals and a former police commissioner intends to investigate failures before,...

18.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir visits Temple Mount, urges PM ‘not to fold’ under pressure to OK hostage deal

Far-right minister says he prayed for hostages’ release, appearing to hint he still aims to change status quo at flashpoint holy site that bars...

18.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Study finds many yeshiva students working illegally in violation of IDF exemptions

Israel Democracy Institute researcher Gabriel Gordon argues new data shows ultra-Orthodox don’t believe their own rhetoric about importance of...

18.07.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett rebukes former partner Abbas after he claims ‘50,000 civilians murdered in Gaza’

‘The IDF is eliminating vile terrorists,’ says former PM after Ra’am party leader makes claim at Knesset; MK Ayman Odeh booted from...

17.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

State comptroller finds wage gap, underrepresentation of women in local government

Report also finds persistence of ‘real gaps in all areas of life between Ethiopians and the rest of the Jewish population’ decades after...

16.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Liberman predicts Netanyahu will dissolve Knesset, says he is meeting with Bennett

Yisrael Beytenu chief to sit down with former PM again on Wednesday, only a week after Gideon Sa’ar told reporters Bennett intends to return to...

15.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘A crybaby and a coward’: Lapid slams Netanyahu for complaining about incitement

Opposition leader says he gets ‘many’ threats but doesn’t moan; Likud falsely accuses him of normalizing political violence and...

15.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Facing manpower shortage, government raises mandatory IDF service to 3 years

Attorney General’s Office questions legality of measure, calling on government to take ‘immediate steps’ to ‘increase the...

14.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Majority of Haredim say new religious army units would boost enlistment – poll

Survey finds support for adaptions for military service, though 72% of ultra-Orthodox respondents oppose drafting all Haredim; Defense Ministry set to...

14.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Not Biden’s policy’: Official says Democrats’ Israel plank won’t include aid cutoff

Administration official vows 2024 election platform will reflect president’s views, after ‘Uncommitted’ leader urges party to back...

10.07.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Amid squabbles, lawmakers in government no longer take its survival for granted

As parties turn on each other and trust in the prime minister erodes, coalition politicians are increasingly voicing concern their fractious alliance...

10.07.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Holding a Sinwar victory pic, Smotrich pans hostage deal; Lapid to PM: We’ll back it

Warning against ‘a defeat and humiliation’ as negotiations resume, Religious Zionism leader insists: ‘We will not be part of a deal...

08.07.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Gideon Sa’ar says former PM Bennett planning a return to politics

While he has not personally confirmed the rumors, Bennett has previously hinted at a comeback; polling shows his return would boost the anti-Netanyahu...

08.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As coalition tensions mount, top Haredi MK hints at potential dissolution of coalition

Growing discord within Netanyahu’s alliance of parties has some lawmakers questioning how long the government can last

08.07.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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