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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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Eisenkot says establishment of Palestinian state ‘irrelevant’ in post-Oct. 7 reality

The National Unity no. 2 says similarly that there’s no reason to discuss resettling Gaza, and accuses Netanyahu of turning war into...

latest 3

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

To prevent defections, Bennett said seeking unprecedented control over new party

After his 2021-2022 government was brought down by revolts in his party, the former PM plans to hold on closely to the levers of political power when...

previous day 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Oil prices fall after Trump says Iran nuclear deal may be close

Dollar still facing pressure over uncertainty surrounding Trump tariffs, while equity markets were generally lower Thursday

thursday 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Anti-Zionist Haredi extremists clash with Ben Gvir in Beit Shemesh

Video from the scene shows the minister walking back and forth in the street challenging residents, as police attempt to restrain him

thursday 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Coalition bills removed from agenda as Haredi boycott continues for second week

Multiple private members bills sponsored by coalition lawmakers were removed from the Knesset plenum’s agenda on Wednesday as the Shas and United...

thursday 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Trump tells Gulf leaders Iran must end support of proxies under nuclear deal

Tehran ‘must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars,’ US president says at Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh; Iran’s FM...

14.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ex-chief rabbi: If Haredi draft dodgers arrested, ultra-Orthodox will leave Israel

‘If they come to yeshivas and arrest students… we will all go abroad,’ says Yitzhak Yosef, threatening a mass exodus for the second time

14.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Attorney general urges conscription of all draft-age Haredim starting this summer

Enlisting yeshiva students is ‘an essential security need,’ says AG’s office, calling for enhanced enforcement and stronger sanctions against...

13.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredim threaten to bolt coalition as IDF launches operation against draft dodgers

‘As soon as there is one arrest…we will shut down the government,’ United Torah Judaism official says

13.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Renegade Shas rabbi to establish new party that supports Haredi conscription

Rabbi Haim Yosef Abergel, who has challenged the ultra-Orthodox Sephardi party at the local level, advocates for Haredim to serve in military and...

12.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As Edan Alexander freed, opposition chiefs accuse PM of bungling ties with Washington

The ‘Americans are fed up with Netanyahu,’ says Lapid, while Golan asserts release of hostage lone soldier due to US intervention constitutes an...

12.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Government backs bill to remove High Court chief’s power to assign cases to justices

Continuation of efforts to restrain the judiciary on the part of the coalition ‘significantly affects the democratic nature’ of Israel, says...

12.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ministers struggling financially, claims MK behind controversial salary bill

While asserting that his legislation is not intended to raise public officials’ wages, Likud’s Avihai Boaron insists some are having trouble...

11.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After October 7, IDF said to increase penalties for deserters, but not draft dodgers

‘Haredi evaders did not suffer at all according to this enforcement policy,’ says former chief military defense counsel Ran Cohen Rochverger

09.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Edelstein urges ‘real solution’ as work set to begin on revising Haredi draft bill

Failure to pass the controversial legislation could put the continued existence of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government in jeopardy, warn...

09.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘The final deadline’: Could the IDF conscription crisis bring down Netanyahu’s government?

Without a bill shielding Haredim from the draft, the Knesset’s ultra-Orthodox parties are weighing tactics from boycotting votes on coalition...

08.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ex-PM Bennett, Ben Gvir deny report alleging exchange of ‘hush money’

After Kan claims former premier paid NIS 35,000 to political rival in 2020 to keep a secret, both men say money was solely a lawsuit settlement, while...

07.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset summer session to focus on Haredi draft, efforts to curb public media

Bills under discussion would shutter Kan broadcaster, split the attorney general’s position into two, and impose 80% tax on foreign donations to...

07.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Levin and other Likud ministers accuse pro-Netanyahu commentator of blackmail

Jacob Bardugo denies accusation; Karhi and Zohar support justice minister, as firebrand Likud MK assails them for triggering calls to investigate...

06.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett’s new party aims to ‘restore security to Israel,’ draft ultra-Orthodox

Newly released party registration document says former PM seeks to integrate all citizens ‘in carrying the security, civil and economic burden’

06.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi parties to boycott government votes over failure to pass IDF exemption law

Ultra-Orthodox MK warns that if legislation doesn’t pass during current Knesset session, ‘we will have a very big problem sitting in such a...

06.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lawmakers debate controversial 80% tax bill on foreign government donations to NGOs

Likud’s Ariel Kallner says law will ‘preserve’ Israel’s Jewish and democratic character; Hadash-Ta’al MK Tibi counters that it is intended...

05.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid: AG must take ‘decisive action’ against Haredi draft evasion organizations

Those behind hotlines instructing yeshiva students to ignore enlistment orders ‘should be treated as criminal offenders,’ says opposition leader

04.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Government approves controversial legislation regulating top officials’ salaries

Ministerial Committee for Legislation backs bill on condition that ministers, MKs do not receive raises; Smotrich calls to cut ‘excessive...

04.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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...

29.04.2025 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...

29.04.2025 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