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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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Why is Ben Gvir rising in the polls while Smotrich can’t keep his head above water?

Why is Ben Gvir rising in the polls while Smotrich can’t keep his head above water?

The hard-right parties ran together in 2022, but Otzma Yehudit has now climbed to around 10 seats in surveys, while Religious Zionism can’t clear...

previous day 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett names 23-year-old reservist activist Yonatan Shalev to party slate

Bennett names 23-year-old reservist activist Yonatan Shalev to party slate

Fledgling politician’s Shoulder to Shoulder movement says only Bennett ‘has proven that he will fix Israel and build a better future’; Lapid...

previous day 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset finance panel approves nearly NIS 100M in additional funds for Haredi schools

Knesset finance panel approves nearly NIS 100M in additional funds for Haredi schools

Yesh Atid accuses ‘draft dodgers and the corrupt’ of prioritizing schools that don’t teach core curriculum, while ultra-Orthodox MK claims the...

previous day 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As ceasefire halts fighting, Iran war becomes a battlefield for votes

As ceasefire halts fighting, Iran war becomes a battlefield for votes

Another military campaign halts with questionable success, as Netanyahu may find his standing less improved than he’d hoped. With elections looming,...

10.04.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Flouting wartime restrictions, over 1,000 men gather for address by top Haredi rabbi

Flouting wartime restrictions, over 1,000 men gather for address by top Haredi rabbi

Spokesperson for rabbi insists gathering held in protective space in Bnei Brak; police say it refused permit for event and requested its dispersal...

06.04.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Levin says government should ignore High Court ruling allowing wartime protests

Citing ‘public safety,’ justice minister says cabinet ‘has no choice’ but to defy ‘illegal intervention’ by court, which he says could...

05.04.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett vows to investigate ‘sabotage of Haredi enlistment’ if elected PM

Ex-premier lambasts coalition for boosting funds to ultra-Orthodox institutions, says state budget ‘plunders’ the ‘serving and working public’...

30.03.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition MKs voted to allocate NIS 800 million for Haredi schools. How did it happen?

Caught by a parliamentary ‘maneuver,’ lawmakers mistakenly supported a surprise reservation to the 2026 state budget massively boosting...

30.03.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM’s office said to backtrack after tapping controversial Likud activist for key role

Hardline animal rights activist Tal Gilboa’s reported appointment as Netanyahu’s spokesperson reportedly canned after anti-Russian and LGBTQ...

29.03.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Retarded Moroccan’: Senior Netanyahu aide under fire for reported racist tirades

Ziv Agmon allegedly called Sephardic Likud MKs ‘baboons,’ said PM ‘must go home’ after October 7; after report airs, amid calls for his...

25.03.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

New law lets rabbinical courts arbitrate civil disputes; opposition head says Israel now a theocracy

Yair Lapid warns that the controversial government-backed legislation, which significantly expands religious courts’ authority, means country...

24.03.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After Iranian missile attacks on south, all schools to go remote Sunday and Monday

In-person study canceled for all students, including in special ed, after impacts in cities of Dimona and Arad; decision also follows cluster bomb...

22.03.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Cynicism on steroids’: Experts pan budget cuts in wake of coalition fund increase

Cuts to healthcare, education and science could have been prevented by halting the allocation of billions in coalition funds to ultra-Orthodox...

18.03.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Elections committee chief rebukes ‘baseless’ Likud challenge to choice of panel’s lawyer

Conservative Supreme Court judge Sohlberg dismisses 2nd attempt to reverse appointment in as many days; opposition figures claim Netanyahu is trying...

17.03.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset committee advances bill expanding Orthodox control over Western Wall Plaza

Controversial legislation referred to Knesset Constitution Committee; Women of the Wall say Israel ‘spitting’ in the face of Diaspora Jewry

16.03.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Central Elections Committee chooses new legal adviser over Netanyahu’s objection

Intel executive Yifat Siminovski, formerly employed by the National Cyber Directorate, brings expertise in AI to the position, committee says

16.03.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Coalition advancing controversial legislation amid war with Iran

Bills that would weaken the role of attorney general, overhaul the media sector, draw ire from the opposition

15.03.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Northern communities protest cuts to rehabilitation budget amid war

Local bodies say cutting funds for frontline areas threatens recovery; coalition and opposition lawmakers critique move, as coalition okays billions...

12.03.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM and Smotrich say Haredi draft exemption bill to be set aside to help fund Iran war

Opposition leaders gloat after finance minister says legislation ‘won’t be promoted for now’ as part of state budget, which must be approved by...

11.03.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Cabinet okays $1.6 billion in coalition funds, including $715 million for ultra-Orthodox

Allocations approved for Haredi institutions, West Bank settlements and other coalition priorities. Opposition politicians accuse government of...

10.03.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi parties likely to vote for 2026 state budget despite lack of exemption law

Shas and Degel HaTorah expected to vote in favor of budget while Agudat Yisrael will oppose it. Bill regulating Haredi conscription will not pass...

09.03.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In midst of war with Iran, Haredim continue to push for sweeping draft exemptions

Spokeswoman for Knesset defense panel chairman Boaz Bismuth says draft of controversial bill ready to advance once Knesset resumes normal...

05.03.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Will the war with Iran boost Netanyahu’s prospects at the ballot box?

PM unlikely to push for early elections to capitalize on wartime gains because that would come off as ‘political and cynical,’ says coalition source

04.03.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

AG urges High Court to force Netanyahu to fire Ben Gvir; coalition fumes

Baharav-Miara says prime minister’s silence on matter could be seen as endorsing far-right minister’s ‘improper conduct’

04.03.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Everything is gone’: Deadly Iranian strike on Beit Shemesh leaves residents reeling

Nine people are killed and dozens are wounded in city after a ballistic missile brings chaos and destruction to a quiet residential street

01.03.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Israeli opposition leaders rally behind government as Israel and US strike Iran

‘We are all united on the operation,’ declares Lapid; Arab-majority Hadash party calls Israel ‘full partner’ in ‘global American...

28.02.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud’s ultra-Orthodox wing accuses Haredi factions of seeking to take over party

In a letter to Netanyahu, Likud Haredim condemn what they describe as an ‘organized movement aimed at harming and weakening Likud and its leader’

26.02.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

With Modi in Knesset, Opposition boycott PM’s speech over exclusion of High Court chief

Lawmakers stage partial boycott, reentering plenum to attend speech by Indian premier. Walk-out has ‘nothing to do with you,’ Lapid tells Modi

25.02.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MKs approve preliminary bill cementing Orthodox control over entire Western Wall

Haredim praise bill giving Chief Rabbinate authority over prayer at Old City site, calling it victory over Reform Movement; progressives say Israel...

25.02.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Defying Knesset, Smotrich ups tax exemption for online purchases from abroad to $130

Hours after previous order was voted down by lawmakers, finance minister signs a new one, vows to free Israeli citizens from ‘monopolies,’ defeat...

25.02.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

AG tells High Court government failing to sanction ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers

Leaders haven’t formulated a plan despite deadline on issue passing weeks ago, says Gali Baharav-Miara; government secretary argues no available...

25.02.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu: An attack on Israel would be ‘most serious mistake’ in Iranian history

If war with Iran comes, internal conflicts ‘will be put into deep freeze,’ Opposition Leader Yair Lapid tells Knesset during 40-signatures debate

23.02.2026 200

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu nixes ministerial vote on bill cementing Orthodox control of Western Wall

Justice minister calls on MKs to vote in favor, coalition whip receives PM’s permission to give MKs freedom to vote freely on the controversial...

22.02.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

State budget set to increase spending on Haredi education by NIS 1 billion

Ultra-Orthodox school networks associated with Shas and UTJ parties to receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer shekels despite not properly teaching...

19.02.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid threatens to boycott Modi’s Knesset visit if High Court president not invited

Opposition Leader’s ultimatum comes after several high-profile snubs of justice Isaac Amit; Ohana calls warning ‘illegitimate,’ accuses Lapid of...

18.02.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich to Arab MKs: It’s not the government’s fault ‘you murder one another’

‘Educate your public to stop murdering,’ far-right minister says; opposition lawmakers accuse him of racism, rail at government for failing to...

17.02.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid warns ‘liberal bloc’ may lose next election if it doesn’t unite – behind him

‘If we don’t come to our senses, we will lose,’ opposition leader says, argues his party is best situated to lead; prominent anti-government...

16.02.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett and Deri spar after mob attacks female soldiers in Bnei Brak

Former PM visits city, accuses coalition of turning blind eye to ultra-Orthodox incitement against joining army; Shas leader calls for restraining...

16.02.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bnei Brak violence follows years of rabbinic incitement and anti-draft campaigns

Attack on two female soldiers occurs after hardline Jerusalem Faction sends out incorrect alert that they were attempting to deliver conscription...

15.02.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

2 female soldiers chased by rioting Haredi mob in Bnei Brak, rescued by police

Police nab 23 rioters after cop car flipped, motorcycle set alight; Tel Aviv police chief chides IDF for not clearing army visit with cops

15.02.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi spiritual leaders: Those who arrest draft dodgers could face divine retribution

Rabbis of Shas, UTJ’s Degel HaTorah call on Military Police to refuse orders rather than commit the ‘terrible crime’ of arresting...

10.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Coalition advances key budget bill after enough Haredi MKs walk back revolt plans

Knesset approves split of Arrangements Bill, helping ensure budget passes before deadline; talks on Haredi draft bill still stuck, in what ups chances...

10.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Defense Ministry facing severe shortage of therapists to treat soldiers with PTSD

Ministry’s Social Services Responses Division tells Knesset there is only one caseworker available per 850 post-traumatic veterans

10.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid: Police may need to probe Netanyahu’s ‘intentional forgery’ of October 7 protocols

Opposition leader says ‘biased editing of protocols of security discussions’ goes beyond PM’s usual ‘lying’; Gantz calls...

09.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Visiting Israeli border, Lebanese PM vows to expand state authority against Hezbollah

While lamenting near-daily IDF strikes as a ‘blow to our dignity,’ Nawaf Salam pledges reconstruction, restoration of public services...

08.02.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Gallant: PM a ‘liar’ who undermined security chiefs, built false narrative of Oct. 7

Ex-defense minister joined by Lapid in upbraiding Netanyahu for cherrypicked quotes, shirking accountability in his response to state...

08.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu said to tell MKs there was ‘no treason’ on Oct. 7, countering his son’s conspiracy theory

Premier reportedly tells closed-door meeting there were ‘intelligence failures,’ but he didn’t ignore pre-onslaught warnings;...

06.02.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Religious Zionism MK says Haredi draft bill needs changes before party can back it

Moshe Solomon calls for fixes to close loopholes such as clause allowing recruitment targets to be lowered, says party united in demands, but source...

06.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud casts religious Zionist critics of Haredi draft bill as left-wing agitators

In attempt to counter considerable national religious opposition to bill exempting yeshiva students from IDF, ruling party claims activists are trying...

05.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi extremists pay grants to draft evaders after their release from military prison

Group linked to Jerusalem Faction hands one dodger NIS 60,000, says ‘the goal is to strengthen all yeshiva students so they won’t be...

04.02.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol