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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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Ministers Gantz, Ben Gvir accuse each other of harming national security

War cabinet minister spars with far-right police minister, following reports Washington may sanction the IDF’s Netzah Yehuda battalion

21.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu vows imminent ‘painful blows’ on Hamas, more pressure to free hostages

Pre-Passover video message from PM says terror group has rejected all offers, ‘draws encouragement from the pressures directed at the Israeli...

21.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

New regulations would expand Haredi control over municipal rabbis, sideline women

After Knesset bill nixed, Religious Services Ministry pushes similar changes that critics say would ’emasculate local authorities and completely...

17.04.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Two nonprofits linked to Arab Ra’am party to be shuttered over alleged terror ties

The party and the organizations dismiss allegations as political persecution, while far-right parties claim vindication for previously accusing...

16.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir says no longer bound by coalition discipline, in spat with Haredi factions

Far-right minister’s party accuses ultra-Orthodox parties of tanking deal granting him more power, after reportedly opposing Haredi legislation...

16.04.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid calls Netanyahu ‘existential threat’ as they spar over national security

‘All that is left of Mr. Security’ are ‘ruins from Be’eri to Kiryat Shmona,’ says Lapid. Opposition leader ‘preferred...

15.04.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Should Israel launch an immediate retaliatory attack on Iran? Lawmakers are divided

Some hard-right members of the government call for harsh retaliation, while war cabinet members Gantz and Gallant issue more measured statements,...

14.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ultra-Orthodox minister breaks ranks, says some Haredi youth must be drafted

Shas distances itself from Interior Minister Moshe Arbel’s call, says only rabbis of the Council of Torah Sages can decide policy on the thorny...

12.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

With Knesset in wartime recess, attendance becomes a political weapon

Despite mutual recriminations over attendance, MK Evgeny Sova says ‘in practice there isn’t that much of a recess,’ noting daily...

10.04.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Everybody dies. But what if that person happens to be a sitting prime minister?

After a couple of sudden surgeries, health concerns over Israel’s 74-year-old leader have risen. Unlike the US’s smooth succession,...

07.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Gantz calls for early elections in September to ‘renew trust’ in government

Netanyahu dismisses coalition partner’s appeal as ‘petty politics,’ claiming elections would harm the war effort, while opposition...

04.04.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Demanding action, relatives of hostages smear yellow paint on Knesset gallery windows

Protesters removed from visitors’ area after sparking tumult in plenum to mark 180 days of loved ones’ captivity, with several opposition...

03.04.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

UTJ’s Roth: ‘No actual benefit’ to Haredim in toppling government over yeshiva funds

MK says ultra-Orthodox parties hope Netanyahu can find ‘creative’ solution to Haredi enlistment in IDF before the High Court of Justice...

02.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Russia says 4 arrested for funding, arming Moscow concert attackers

FSB says it foiled additional plot by suspects in ISIS shooting at Crocus City Hall, which killed over 140 people

01.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

The High Court’s yeshiva funding ruling goes into effect today. What does it mean?

Starting this week, hundreds of yeshivas will see their budgets slashed, prompting leading rabbis to look abroad to raise the funds needed to continue...

01.04.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid demands defense minister show ‘political courage’ and start drafting Haredim

Opposition leader accuses Netanyahu of ‘fraud’ over his reported initiative to establish a panel on enlistment legislation without Gallant...

01.04.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu urges Knesset to pass law allowing shuttering of Al Jazeera

If passed, the bill would give PM and communications minister the power to shut down foreign news networks deemed threatening to national security

01.04.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Tens of thousands throng Knesset at start of 4-day protest against government

Opposition Leader Lapid tells gathered crowds ‘there is only one thing that is important to Netanyahu — to stay in office,’ as...

31.03.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In surprise primary result, Lapid holds on to party leadership by a mere 29 votes

Opposition leader wins only 52 percent of vote in leadership contest he was expected to breeze through; thanks opponent for ‘a fair race’

28.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Yesh Atid holds first leadership vote — with Lapid widely expected to maintain power

Challenger MK Ram Ben Barak says he does not have major policy disagreements with longtime chairman, but wants to encourage change and democratization...

28.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Furor as lawmakers approve Knesset recess despite war, Haredi enlistment controversy

After House Committee votes for six-week break, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Liberman blasts ‘disconnected elected officials who do not deserve to...

26.03.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Cabinet discussion on Haredi draft postponed amid marathon coalition talks

Under pressure to finalize legislative update before ultra-Orthodox exemption law expires, Netanyahu meets with faction heads on revised draft

26.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Gideon Sa’ar quits coalition after Netanyahu fails to appoint him to war cabinet

2 weeks after splitting with Gantz, minister leaves government, saying he has ‘no practical ability to influence the direction of policy’

25.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Under pressure, Netanyahu seems to retract bid to raise Haredi military exemption age

Opposition leader calls on ministers to ditch government if law passes, as PM reportedly says coalition will collapse without bill’s approval...

25.03.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Failure of values’: Gantz threatens to bolt coalition over Netanyahu’s Haredi draft bill

‘The people won’t be able to put up with it,’ National Unity leader says of plan to raise age of exemption from service for...

24.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Condemning ‘messianic’ politics, Yair Golan pledges to ‘unify all leftist parties’

Bemoaning ‘corruption of the political echelons,’ candidate for Labor party chairman calls to remove ultra-Orthodox,...

22.03.2024 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud’s Danon dismisses Sa’ar as serious rival to Netanyahu, calls to push into Rafah

Lawmaker and former UN ambassador says he supports inclusion in war cabinet of ‘anyone who calls for a more aggressive approach’, brands...

22.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Extremist Haredi rabbi: Army service leads to secularization, is ‘worse than death’

‘It’s better to be pigs than in a place with secular people,’ says Jerusalem Faction leader Rabbi Zvi Friedman: ‘There is no...

21.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

National Unity’s Kahana: We’re not using Haredi draft to try and bring down coalition

But lawmaker insists the ultra-Orthodox must do national service, and doubles down on criticism of ‘worst government’ in Israeli history

21.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

More lawmakers push to cancel Knesset recess in light of Gaza war

Yesh Atid, National Unity join Yisrael Beytenu initiative to continue legislative work; coalition officials signal it will not happen

21.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Demanding early elections, protesters chain themselves outside Knesset

At least four arrested as riot police disperse demonstration; inside the parliament building, families of October 7 victims hand out ‘dismissal...

20.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud lawmaker screams at relative of October 7 victims during Knesset hearing

‘You don’t talk like that’ about Netanyahu, Tally Gotliv yells at man who lost four family members at Kibbutz Be’eri; Labor MK...

20.03.2024 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MKs protest halt to government vouchers for immigrants’ Hebrew-language classes

Private ulpans, new immigrants scramble to cope after government cuts off funding for lessons without warning

19.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir celebrates issuing 100,000 gun licenses since October 7

Minister asserts women were raped and murdered on October 7 ‘because there were not enough weapons,’ saying his office has given out...

18.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Citing wartime challenges, Liberman says Knesset recess should be canceled

It’s ‘unacceptable’ for lawmakers to take vacations during a national security crisis, hawkish opposition politician declares

18.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Cabinet postpones discussion of Haredi enlistment as legal deadline looms

Unless new consensus framework can be reached by the end of the month, the government will have to enlist ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, endangering...

17.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Cabinet approves national remembrance day for October 7 massacre, Gaza war

Memorial day to be observed on 24 Tishrei, with separate state ceremonies for fallen soldiers and civilians; this year to be marked on October 7 as...

17.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Labor MKs Lazimi, Kariv endorse Yair Golan for party leadership ahead of primaries

In implicit rebuke of outgoing party chair Merav Michaeli, ex-Meretz MK Golan pledges ‘to create a large and wide movement’ on the...

17.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Gantz boycotts meeting on Haredi draft with PM after cabinet ignores his proposal

Netanyahu expected to push for additional delay in drafting yeshiva students as ultra-Orthodox parties hammer out their own compromise offer

15.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Survey: Israelis have little faith in political institutions after Oct. 7, do trust IDF

Only 23% of Jews and 19% of Arabs trust the government, according to the 2023 Israel Democracy Institute annual survey, but Arab Israelis exhibit...

14.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘A statesmanlike right’: Why Gideon Sa’ar has decamped Gantz’s National Unity party

Disagreements over the conduct of the war and desire to position himself as a liberal-right alternative to PM once the war is over drove New Hope...

14.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Following rancorous debate, Knesset passes amended wartime budget

While Opposition Leader Lapid decries the most ‘sectoral, detached and profligate budget’ ever, Likud says legislation ‘guarantees...

13.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Sa’ar splits from Gantz’s National Unity party, demands seat in war cabinet

‘Our voice, the voice of the statesmanlike right, is more essential today than ever,’ says New Hope leader; ‘Thank you and good...

13.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lawmakers spar over amended 2024 budget ahead of Knesset vote

Finance Minister Smotrich ‘doesn’t see the Arabs in the budget,’ says United Arab List MK Waleed Alhwashla, claiming budget will widen...

12.03.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich: IDF chief ‘taking advantage’ of wartime backing to promote officers

Halevi’s only mandate is to ‘conduct the war and that’s it,’ far-right minister says; Lapid calls Haredi enlistment an...

11.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Watchdog group calls for removal of chief rabbi for politicizing judicial role

Yitzhak Yosef’s statement that Haredim will ‘all move abroad’ if government drafts yeshiva students constitutes misuse of authority,...

11.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ultra-Orthodox retake Beit Shemesh, former Haifa mayor Yona Yahav returns to office

46.1% of eligible voters cast ballots in run-off elections across the country; right-wing candidate Matan Dil wins in Rehovot, former MK Oren Hazan...

11.03.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Voters go to polls across Israel in second round of municipal elections

Run-offs underway in Ariel, Beit Shemesh, Abu Ghosh, Haifa and 31other cities and villages where no candidate managed to reach 40% in last...

10.03.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Assailing chief rabbi, Lapid says Haredim would have to get jobs if they moved abroad

Opposition leader notes that ultra-Orthodox wouldn’t get stipends from government overseas as they do in Israel, reacting to Yitzhak...

10.03.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Citing IDF’s manpower ‘surplus,’ Haredim reject post-October 7 draft equality push

Despite defense minister and IDF chief’s calls for more soldiers, UTJ lawmakers threaten to bolt coalition if even ‘one real yeshiva...

10.03.2024 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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