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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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In major success for government, Knesset approves 2025 budget, staving off elections

In major success for government, Knesset approves 2025 budget, staving off elections

Coalition lawmakers escorted into Knesset under guard as anti-government protesters block entrance. Opposition MKs chant ‘shame’, families of...

yesterday 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Tough sledding for Gal Gadot’s ‘Snow White’ with $43 million opening

Tough sledding for Gal Gadot’s ‘Snow White’ with $43 million opening

Remake of Disney classic brings in just $43 million in ticket sales, after Gaza war comments by star Rachel Zegler and calls to boycott film over...

yesterday 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Billions are being stolen’: Opposition slams 2025 state budget ahead of final vote

‘Billions are being stolen’: Opposition slams 2025 state budget ahead of final vote

MKs launch 15-hour extended debate of controversial NIS 756 billion ($203.5 billion) wartime budget, which Lapid pans as the ‘greatest robbery in...

yesterday 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

UTJ’s Goldknopf symbolically ‘resigns’ from role in PMO amid row over Haredi draft

UTJ’s Goldknopf symbolically ‘resigns’ from role in PMO amid row over Haredi draft

Housing minister keeps main portfolio but relinquishes second position, citing lack of progress toward military exemption for yeshiva students

yesterday 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi minister dances to anti-Zionist song, drawing bipartisan calls for his firing

Haredi minister dances to anti-Zionist song, drawing bipartisan calls for his firing

Yitzchak Goldknopf filmed among crowd singing ‘We will die and not enlist [to the IDF]’; he apologizes after initially dismissing criticism as...

previous day 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM, President Herzog, Haredi ministers condemn mob attack on Beit Shemesh mayor

PM, President Herzog, Haredi ministers condemn mob attack on Beit Shemesh mayor

‘We must denounce the extremists and the violent among us,’ says United Torah Judaism chairman Goldknopf in wake of assault on Degel...

20.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Israel ranks as 8th-happiest nation in global survey, down from 5th last year

Israel ranks as 8th-happiest nation in global survey, down from 5th last year

Despite ongoing war and political turmoil, Israeli young adults rank highest in self-reported quality of social connections, while in the...

20.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Clearing path for budget vote, MKs pass Economic Arrangements Law as Haredim back down

Clearing path for budget vote, MKs pass Economic Arrangements Law as Haredim back down

Ben Gvir’s return to the coalition defangs UTJ chief Yitzchak Goldknopf’s threat to scuttle 2025 state budget unless law exempting yeshiva...

20.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi extremists attack Beit Shemesh mayor and his family, overturn his car

Haredi extremists attack Beit Shemesh mayor and his family, overturn his car

Assailants injure Shmuel Greenberg’s 19-year-old son; video shows armored police rushing mayor from scene as mob shouting ‘Nazi’...

20.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ben Gvir reappointed police minister as Knesset okays his party’s return to government

Ben Gvir reappointed police minister as Knesset okays his party’s return to government

Otzma Yehudit rejoins coalition only hours before critical budget vote, bringing coalition majority to 68; Ben Gvir links move to resumption of Gaza...

20.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett: PM must quit over Qatari payments to aide; if received knowingly, it’s ‘treason’

Bennett: PM must quit over Qatari payments to aide; if received knowingly, it’s ‘treason’

Former prime minister calls out leader for ‘cover-up’ of scandal and resistance to investigation; Likud calls him a ‘crook’...

20.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-right Otzma Yehudit returning to the government after resumption of war in Gaza

Far-right Otzma Yehudit returning to the government after resumption of war in Gaza

‘Together in strength, for the sake of the people of Israel,’ Ben Gvir exults following end of two-month stint in the opposition over...

18.03.2025 7

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

AG urges defense minister to take ‘immediate action’ to penalize Haredi draft evaders

AG urges defense minister to take ‘immediate action’ to penalize Haredi draft evaders

Government must ‘improve enforcement and impose personal sanctions,’ Deputy AG Limon writes, says only a ‘negligible’ fraction...

18.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition party chiefs to petition High Court against PM’s effort to fire Ronen Bar

Opposition party chiefs to petition High Court against PM’s effort to fire Ronen Bar

Lawmakers accuse Netanyahu of targeting Shin Bet chief to stop probe of aides’ Qatar links, while ministers say AG’s demand that the...

17.03.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition lawmakers vow ‘resistance,’ legal action against firing of Shin Bet chief

Opposition lawmakers vow ‘resistance,’ legal action against firing of Shin Bet chief

Lapid accuses PM of ousting Ronen Bar in order ‘to sabotage’ probe into aides’ alleged ties to Qatar; Ben Gvir, Smotrich and Karhi praise...

17.03.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

AG, police silent in face of growing ecosystem of Haredi evasion organizations

AG, police silent in face of growing ecosystem of Haredi evasion organizations

‘We regret that law enforcement agencies are de facto condoning criminality on such an important issue,’ says Movement for Quality Government;...

09.03.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset to debate withdrawing from WHO over ‘anti-Israel bias, antisemitism’

Knesset to debate withdrawing from WHO over ‘anti-Israel bias, antisemitism’

Health expert says potential departure from international organization would ‘be a source of grief for generations,’ damage Israel’s ability to...

09.03.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

72.5% of Israelis believe Netanyahu should take responsibility for Oct. 7 and resign

72.5% of Israelis believe Netanyahu should take responsibility for Oct. 7 and resign

Israel Democracy Institute poll also finds similar percentage favors advancing to the second phase of the ceasefire-hostage release deal with Hamas

09.03.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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,...

07.03.2025 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...

06.03.2025 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...

05.03.2025 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...

05.03.2025 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

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

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

‘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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘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

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’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

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

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

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

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

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

‘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