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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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Hasidic MKs tell Netanyahu they’ll oppose budget if draft exemption law not passed

Hasidic MKs tell Netanyahu they’ll oppose budget if draft exemption law not passed

Report says despite PM’s promises, Haredi draft exemption bill likely to be postponed; out of 10,000 Haredim who received draft orders since July,...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi lawmakers split on approach to budget, which must pass this month or gov’t falls

Haredi lawmakers split on approach to budget, which must pass this month or gov’t falls

While UTJ chair Goldknopf threatens to send Israel to elections if Haredi draft-exemption bill not passed, other Haredi MKs say problems solved with...

previous day 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Do not cooperate’: Nonprofit linked to top Haredi rabbis encourages draft dodging

‘Do not cooperate’: Nonprofit linked to top Haredi rabbis encourages draft dodging

Haredim are pushing for coalition funds for Vaad HaYeshivot, which tells yeshiva students to ignore the law in favor of ‘the instructions of the...

wednesday 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Cabinet approves over NIS 1 billion in coalition funds for Haredim, of a total NIS 5b

Cabinet approves over NIS 1 billion in coalition funds for Haredim, of a total NIS 5b

Items approved include $350 million for yeshivas, $2.2 million for groups that arrange IDF exemptions for Haredi students, $6.9 million for Jewish...

wednesday 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset ushers violently prevent victims’ families from attending debate on Oct. 7 probe

Knesset ushers violently prevent victims’ families from attending debate on Oct. 7 probe

Relatives of victims pushed, hit and dragged away, 3 need medical attention, before they are let into visitors’ gallery; Yarden Bibas urges PM to...

04.03.2025 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Coalition lawmakers welcome Netanyahu’s decision to stop entry of aid into Gaza

Coalition lawmakers welcome Netanyahu’s decision to stop entry of aid into Gaza

Halt imposed as Israel accuses Hamas of refusing proposal to extend first phase of truce; terror group slams ‘cheap extortion,’ warns of...

02.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi party threatens to topple government unless it gets NIS 1 billion for yeshivas

Haredi party threatens to topple government unless it gets NIS 1 billion for yeshivas

Writing to cabinet secretary, UTJ chief Goldknopf demands ‘immediate’ action on issue to ensure his party backs the crucial state budget; previous...

02.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Shas MK dismisses UTJ threat to torpedo government if no law exempting Haredim from IDF

Shas MK dismisses UTJ threat to torpedo government if no law exempting Haredim from IDF

‘There is no holy date for the conscription law. On the other hand, if the budget is not passed by the end of March, there will be no government,’...

28.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Gallant calls on internal Likud tribunal to reject bid to boot him from party

Gallant calls on internal Likud tribunal to reject bid to boot him from party

Dozens of central committee members, Likud legal advisor accuse former defense minister of assisting their political opponents, demand he be removed...

28.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi conscription law ‘must be temporary,’ says Religious Zionism MK

Haredi conscription law ‘must be temporary,’ says Religious Zionism MK

Michal Woldiger tells The Times of Israel legislation can be extended if it succeeds in boosting enlistment, but if it fails, ‘then something else...

27.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud MK presents plan for alternate October 7 commission of inquiry

Likud MK presents plan for alternate October 7 commission of inquiry

Unlike an apolitical state commission of inquiry, the members of Ariel Kallner’s proposed ‘egalitarian state commission of inquiry’ would be...

26.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

UTJ threatens to bring down government unless conscription bill passed before budget

UTJ threatens to bring down government unless conscription bill passed before budget

If the passage of a bill exempting Haredim from military service is not expedited, Israel will ‘go to summer elections,’ threatens United Torah...

26.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Study finds ‘consistent recovery’ in Likud’s prospects as voters return to PM’s party

Study finds ‘consistent recovery’ in Likud’s prospects as voters return to PM’s party

As of December 2024, 54% of voters of Netanyahu’s ruling party planned on supporting it in the next election, according to Israel Democracy Institute

25.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Effort to remove AG will start in next few weeks, claims communications minister

Effort to remove AG will start in next few weeks, claims communications minister

Shlomo Karhi says ‘an actual impeachment process will begin’ in 2-3 weeks, but spokesman for Justice Minister Levin says he doesn’t know...

25.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich claims credit for decision to delay release of Palestinian prisoners

Smotrich claims credit for decision to delay release of Palestinian prisoners

At Knesset, opposition’s Gantz, Liberman blast PM for playing politics at expense of national security, with bus bombing terror plot an example of...

25.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Faced with impeachment, far-left lawmaker slams attempts to silence him

Faced with impeachment, far-left lawmaker slams attempts to silence him

Right-wing MKs seeking to boot Ofer Cassif, the Arab-majority Hadash-Ta’al party’s only Jewish lawmaker, for comparing Palestinians in Gaza to...

23.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Herzog asks forgiveness, coalition MKs invoke Amalek as slain hostages handed over

Herzog asks forgiveness, coalition MKs invoke Amalek as slain hostages handed over

Condolences come from diplomats after Hamas hands over caskets said to be holding bodies of 4 captives; minister: ‘Society that cultivates a...

20.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset passes law prohibiting entry into Israel for October 7, Holocaust deniers

Knesset passes law prohibiting entry into Israel for October 7, Holocaust deniers

Legislation also bans issuing entry permits to anybody who publicly supports international prosecution of Israeli citizens over their activities in...

20.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Edelstein: Haredi enlistment bill will include individual sanctions on draft dodgers

Edelstein: Haredi enlistment bill will include individual sanctions on draft dodgers

‘The effectiveness of the sanctions are what will make this law real or not,’ deputy AG tells key Knesset committee deliberating law

19.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-left MK’s tweet comparing Israel to Nazi Germany sparks renewed calls for impeachment

Far-left MK’s tweet comparing Israel to Nazi Germany sparks renewed calls for impeachment

Hadash-Ta’al legislator Ofer Cassif compares Israeli plans for ‘voluntary migration’ from Gaza to flight of Jews from Germany ahead of World War II

18.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition MK Elharrar says judicial system needs professionals, not politicians

Opposition MK Elharrar says judicial system needs professionals, not politicians

Opposition’s representative on the Judicial Selection Committee accuses Justice Minister Yariv Levin of seeking ‘authority without...

17.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Watchdog group demands criminal probe of Haredi party behind anti-enlistment hotline

Watchdog group demands criminal probe of Haredi party behind anti-enlistment hotline

Movement for Quality Government says Agudat Yisrael promoting draft dodging, assisting Haredim to circumvent order on daycare subsidies for kids of...

17.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Increasing Haredi IDF enlistment requires strong sanctions, Finance Ministry tells MKs

Increasing Haredi IDF enlistment requires strong sanctions, Finance Ministry tells MKs

Budget official says conscription effort will only work if those who refuse to serve feel a real pinch in their pocket; Yesh Atid MK Moshe Tur-Paz:...

16.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ministers vote to back bill levying 80% tax on foreign state funding of Israeli NGOs

Ministers vote to back bill levying 80% tax on foreign state funding of Israeli NGOs

Association for Civil Rights in Israel calls proposed legislation, which will also block groups from filing lawsuits in Israel, ‘a direct assault on...

16.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Cabinet ministers welcome freed hostages, urge ‘fight to the bitter end’ against Hamas

Cabinet ministers welcome freed hostages, urge ‘fight to the bitter end’ against Hamas

Smotrich says Israel in talks with Washington on implementation of plan to encourage emigration of Gaza residents, claims process could ‘begin in...

16.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition’s Golan: Probe Netanyahu and staff for possible treason over aide’s Qatar ties

Opposition’s Golan: Probe Netanyahu and staff for possible treason over aide’s Qatar ties

Democrats party chief says suspicions must be investigated and those who had unofficial contacts with Qatar suspended; PM’s Likud calls remarks...

13.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Hotline linked to cabinet minister is advising Haredi callers to ignore draft orders

Hotline linked to cabinet minister is advising Haredi callers to ignore draft orders

‘You don’t have to do anything, just ignore them,’ assistance center established by Meir Porush tells father of yeshiva student who was...

13.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud lawmakers hold conference calling for Haredi draft, sanctions on dodgers

Edelstein says passage of potent enlistment law would allow him to look wives and mothers of soldiers ‘in the eye’; Chikli calls for breaking...

12.02.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu tells Knesset he’s returned from the US with a ‘revolutionary’ vision for Gaza

Opposition MKs jeer as PM lauds Trump plan to relocate Gazans and talks up war’s achievements. He tells them: ‘You got your “day after” plan,...

11.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MK Elazar Stern: Imprisoning the ultra-Orthodox in yeshivas is ‘against Judaism’

‘Everyone should be a soldier,’ former IDF manpower chief tells Times of Israel, calls to provide limited number of service exemptions for top...

06.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud legal adviser calls for expelling Gallant, barring him from party primaries

‘We wish Gallant success in the left-wing bloc,’ Likud says after former defense minister criticizes the government in his first interview since...

06.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir says he’ll return to government if PM implements Trump’s Gaza transfer plan

‘The ball is now in the hands of the prime minister,’ Otzma Yehudit leader says. ‘Impossible to carry out a transfer without committing war...

05.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards unveil underground missile facility for naval warfare

State TV says base holds ‘hundreds of cruise missiles,’ which IRCG chief Salami asserts can ‘create hell for enemy vessels’

02.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Welcoming hostages’ return, PM pledges to ‘achieve all war goals’

Herzog says nation ‘deeply concerned for the fate of our beloved Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas’; Ben Gvir demands resumption of war to ‘destroy...

02.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Debating ultra-Orthodox enlistment law, MKs argue how to define who is Haredi

Only 32% of recruits listed as Haredim are actually ultra-Orthodox, Israel Democracy Institute researcher Gilad Malach tells Knesset Foreign Affairs...

31.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘A slip of the tongue’: Shas retracts threat to blow up coalition over Haredi draft bill

Walking back Deri’s apparent warning, Shas spokesman says ‘there’s no threat and no ultimatum’; ultra-Orthodox lawmaker reportedly meant other...

30.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After Shas ultimatum, Smotrich rejects ‘concessions’ on Haredi conscription bill

Recruiting currently exempt ultra-Orthodox men is ‘an existential national security necessity,’ minister declares; Haredi party members seek to...

29.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Shas’s Deri threatens to topple government over ultra-Orthodox conscription bill

If the status of yeshiva students is not settled within two months ‘we’ll go to elections,’ warns Deri; Shas MK Taieb says his son will go to jail...

28.01.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ministers advance bill to take control of public broadcaster’s oversight council

Communications minister has come under intense criticism for measures seen as aiming to erode the independence of Kan

28.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ministers back bill to let Israeli citizens directly purchase West Bank land

Ministerial Committee on Legislation also supports legislation to let government directly choose all members of Kan public broadcaster’s oversight...

28.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich and Ben Gvir rally behind Trump’s Gaza emigration idea

Far-right finance minster says he is working on an ‘operational plan’ to turn idea into actionable policy; Otzma Yehudit leader says mass...

27.01.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Arresting yeshiva students for draft dodging will backfire, warns cabinet secretary

During debate on enlistment legislation, Fuchs says ‘process that will lead to the Haredim enlisting is a gradual one’ and must involve ‘consensus...

27.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haim Katz tapped to take over all 3 of Otzma Yehudit’s ministerial portfolios

‘Even the most diligent minister in the world cannot invest effort in four ministries at the same time,’ protests Opposition Leader Yair...

23.01.2025 8

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Deputy AG: Proposed draft law doesn’t meet IDF’s needs, contravenes High Court ruling

Katz threatens to tank enlistment bill unless it ensures the preservation of the ‘Torah world,’ the network of full-time yeshivas that...

23.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu said planning to hand over all 3 Otzma Yehudit portfolios to Haim Katz

Prime minister ‘is once again choosing petty politics that endangers lives,’ says Yesh Atid, calling to close two of the three available...

23.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Coalition votes down legislation on state Oct. 7 probe, annexation of Jordan Valley

Ministers express support in principle for annexing part of West Bank but say the process must involve US, and call opposition bill supported by Otzma...

22.01.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After IDF chief resigns, opposition MKs suggest Netanyahu should be next

Coalition, opposition welcome Halevi’s departure, thank him for taking responsibility for Oct. 7 failures; Smotrich, Ben Gvir hope replacement...

21.01.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After 2024 row over Gaza one-sidedness, Berlin festival to show Israeli hostage film

Documentary ‘A Letter to David’ by director Tom Shoval recalls his friendship with Hamas captive David Cunio; organizers say Arab...

21.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Edelstein signs declaration calling for mass draft of Haredim, sanctions for dodgers

‘What do you want, 100,000 people in prison?’ Defense Minister Katz asks critics, defending his proposal to only induct half of eligible...

21.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset passes law banning denial of October 7 massacre

Modeled after 1986 law prohibiting Holocaust denial, legislation mandates prison sentences of five years for denying the atrocities ‘with the...

21.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol