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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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Haredi anti-enlistment protesters block roads, clash with motorists in ‘day of rage’

Demonstrators yell ‘shiksa’ and throw water on woman who kicked protester; one climbs atop car breaking highway blockade, another arrested...

latest 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As draft crisis escalates, Haredi leaders downplay danger to troops in war

Hardline rabbinic rhetoric now echoing across yeshivas, with students told those demanding they enlist are ‘stupid’ and ‘hate’...

latest 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Government votes to add billions to state budget, including $473 million in Gaza aid

Government votes to add billions to state budget, including $473 million in Gaza aid

As ministers approve NIS 31 billion boost to wartime spending, education minister accuses finance minister of preferring ‘the children of Gaza...

yesterday 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi leaders call for global day of prayer, fasting to protest arrest of draft dodgers

Haredi leaders call for global day of prayer, fasting to protest arrest of draft dodgers

Jews in Antwerp, London, Paris and New York set to protest ‘religious persecution’ of yeshiva students Thursday, with domestic prayer...

previous day 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Government set to add billions to state budget, including for Gaza aid

Government set to add billions to state budget, including for Gaza aid

Increase faces opposition from within and without government as further funds set to be diverted from ministries and from an educational program for...

previous day 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘Free the hostages’: Hundreds of Haredim protest outside prison holding draft evaders

‘Free the hostages’: Hundreds of Haredim protest outside prison holding draft evaders

Ultra-Orthodox extremists set fire to IDF conscription orders, briefly try to break into military prison, with some claiming their political leaders...

15.08.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Human Rights Watch calls Israeli strike on Iran’s Evin Prison ‘apparent war crime’

Human Rights Watch calls Israeli strike on Iran’s Evin Prison ‘apparent war crime’

Group says attack was ‘unlawfully indiscriminate’ and came without prior warning, accuses Islamic Republic of mistreating and disappearing...

14.08.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Senior Haredi MK: The government ‘started a war with us, and we have to defend ourselves’

Senior Haredi MK: The government ‘started a war with us, and we have to defend ourselves’

Ultra-Orthodox lawmaker Meir Porush rules out violence in his community’s struggle against military service, insists he’ll accept nothing...

14.08.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ruling Likud party approves merger with Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope

Ruling Likud party approves merger with Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope

Five years after leaving Netanyahu’s party due to ‘cult of personality’ around the prime minister, former rival declares it’s...

14.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi leaders plan large protests outside IDF prison in support of detained draft dodgers

Haredi leaders plan large protests outside IDF prison in support of detained draft dodgers

Hundreds of rabbis set to attend rallies at Beit Lid on Thursday evening; Slonim Hasidic group urges ‘struggle against the enlistment decree and...

13.08.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ex-hostage at Knesset: PM made promises in Nir Oz visit, then ‘forgot about us’

Ex-hostage at Knesset: PM made promises in Nir Oz visit, then ‘forgot about us’

Yocheved Lifshitz says her kibbutz was ‘completely abandoned’ by government, army; Holocaust survivors urge politicians to bring hostages...

13.08.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After replacing head of key defense panel, coalition launches new push for Haredi draft bill

After replacing head of key defense panel, coalition launches new push for Haredi draft bill

Government source expresses optimism regarding possibility of compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties. MK Porush: ‘Anyone who sits and studies...

12.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich says he’ll stay in government despite PM’s war strategy being ‘off the rails’

Smotrich says he’ll stay in government despite PM’s war strategy being ‘off the rails’

Finance minister says taking Gaza City won’t secure victory if it leads to partial hostage deal, and Netanyahu may buckle under pressure, but...

11.08.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Herzog, Netanyahu appear to spar, as president makes tacit jab at judicial overhaul

Herzog, Netanyahu appear to spar, as president makes tacit jab at judicial overhaul

At opening of new Knesset Museum, Herzog urges respect between branches of government, while PM says Israel used to be a parliamentary democracy when...

11.08.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition pans Netanyahu as a ‘failed prime minister’ who ‘lies with brazen audacity’

Opposition pans Netanyahu as a ‘failed prime minister’ who ‘lies with brazen audacity’

After press conference in which PM said Gaza City takeover is aimed at toppling Hamas and ending the war fast, Golan calls claims...

11.08.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi MK Porush warns conscription of yeshiva students could lead to ‘civil war’

Haredi MK Porush warns conscription of yeshiva students could lead to ‘civil war’

Former cabinet minister sets up tent outside Justice Ministry to protest arrests of draft evaders. Liberman calls on ultra-Orthodox to ‘join the...

10.08.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-right pressure on PM grows as 2 MKs threaten elections if no ‘decisive’ Gaza victory

Far-right pressure on PM grows as 2 MKs threaten elections if no ‘decisive’ Gaza victory

Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot says party will meet in coming days to decide on path forward, shortly after chair Bezalel Smotrich says he’s...

10.08.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MK Idan Roll, former deputy foreign minister, quits Knesset and leaves politics

MK Idan Roll, former deputy foreign minister, quits Knesset and leaves politics

Ex-Yesh Atid member, who left party in January, expresses thanks for opportunity to advance LGBTQ rights; seat to be filled by women’s rights...

10.08.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredim said considering protesting at Israeli embassies against arrest of draft dodgers

Haredim said considering protesting at Israeli embassies against arrest of draft dodgers

Escalating protest against military’s crackdown on draft evaders comes as new defense committee chair promises to ‘find the balance’...

10.08.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PA calls Gaza takeover plans a ‘provocation,’ urges world to end Israeli ‘aggression’

PA calls Gaza takeover plans a ‘provocation,’ urges world to end Israeli ‘aggression’

Ramallah warns operation will worsen humanitarian crisis, risk mass displacement

10.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich says he’s ‘lost faith’ in PM’s desire to win war, demands change to Gaza plans

Smotrich says he’s ‘lost faith’ in PM’s desire to win war, demands change to Gaza plans

Far-right finance minister repeats call for Gaza annexation, says PM chose half-measure instead of committing to destroying Hamas; stops short of...

10.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Students at flagship Jerusalem yeshiva dismiss danger of arrest as IDF cracks down

Students at flagship Jerusalem yeshiva dismiss danger of arrest as IDF cracks down

‘Every day in [my prayers] I say that I am ready to die for the sanctification of God’s name,’ says student at Mir Yeshiva, insisting...

08.08.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich photographed next to ‘Death to Arabs’ graffiti, disavows message

Smotrich photographed next to ‘Death to Arabs’ graffiti, disavows message

Finance minister vows to undo 2005 Disengagement during tour of former settlement of Sa-Nur, marking 20 years since northern West Bank community was...

08.08.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi newspapers declare ‘war’ over IDF enlistment efforts, prompting outrage

Haredi newspapers declare ‘war’ over IDF enlistment efforts, prompting outrage

‘There is a war, but it’s in a different place, and people are actually being killed in it,’ Yair Lapid responds; MK Zvi Sukkot:...

07.08.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Senior Haredi leader threatens ‘global struggle like never before’ over IDF draft

Senior Haredi leader threatens ‘global struggle like never before’ over IDF draft

Ultra-Orthodox party source says community has plans for ‘quiet civil disobedience,’ while other sources say they have little power to...

06.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

AG’s office to High Court: State not doing enough to crack down on Haredi draft evaders

AG’s office to High Court: State not doing enough to crack down on Haredi draft evaders

Defense Minister Katz has yet to hold a discussion on ‘expanding the basket of enforcement tools’ such as sanctions, court filing asserts

06.08.2025 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett: Israel’s status in US ‘has never been so bad,’ it’s becoming ‘leper state’

Bennett: Israel’s status in US ‘has never been so bad,’ it’s becoming ‘leper state’

Lengthy post by Naftali Bennett, former PM who’s set to run in next elections, also castigates current government’s public diplomacy...

05.08.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MK Bismuth elected to head key defense panel, push through Haredi draft exemption law

MK Bismuth elected to head key defense panel, push through Haredi draft exemption law

Knesset lawmakers oust Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein, who calls his dismissal ‘the final nail in the coffin of the...

04.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Edelstein shares Haredi draft proposal, hours before vote on his ouster as panel head

Edelstein shares Haredi draft proposal, hours before vote on his ouster as panel head

Bill by outgoing Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair would revoke draft-dodgers’ driver’s licenses, ban them from leaving the...

04.08.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As IDF plans crackdown on draft dodgers, Haredim roar defiance and prepare for evasion

As IDF plans crackdown on draft dodgers, Haredim roar defiance and prepare for evasion

After army issues over 50,000 new conscription orders, UTJ spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando promises to ‘make the world tremble’ if...

01.08.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Top rabbis double down against any Haredi enlistment as IDF issues more draft orders

Top rabbis double down against any Haredi enlistment as IDF issues more draft orders

Ultra-Orthodox leaders vow not to be cowed by ‘sanctions and decrees, punishments and arrests’ as major rabbi declares ‘absolute...

31.07.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

22 ministers and lawmakers demand settlement group be allowed to tour northern Gaza

22 ministers and lawmakers demand settlement group be allowed to tour northern Gaza

Itamar Ben Gvir, Miki Zohar, Shlomo Karhi and May Golan all interested in taking part in mission to scout out locations for new settlements in...

30.07.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Amichay Eliyahu says hostages should be labeled ‘prisoners,’ their release pushed off

Amichay Eliyahu says hostages should be labeled ‘prisoners,’ their release pushed off

‘Prisoners of war are only dealt with after victory. First, Hamas should be defeated,’ minister says; Yair Golan: The government...

30.07.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud MK accused of rape approved as new head of Knesset Finance Committee

Lapid decries ‘misogynistic coalition’ for voting to give Hanoch Milwidsky the powerful post while opposition female lawmakers and...

29.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Netanyahu temporarily filling all cabinet spots vacated by Haredim in row over draft

Hebrew media reports that Netanyahu is yet to reach a decision on how to distribute portfolios and has fielded many requests from Likud members...

29.07.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Greek riot police clash with anti-Israel protesters as Israeli ship docks in Rhodes

Passengers disembark the Crown Iris safely, are greeted by local business representatives opposed to the protest as well as members of Rhodes...

28.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Government to cut budgets of so-called ‘drop-out yeshivas’ whose students don’t enlist

‘We will do what the government refuses to do – put a complete stop to government subsidies for draft evasion,’ says Israel Hofsheet,...

28.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ultra-Orthodox willing to ‘leave the country’ over conscription issue, says Goldknopf

Adviser to United Torah Judaism leader tells ToI that party will return to government ‘as soon as’ bill exempting Haredim from military...

24.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In latest blow to Gantz, MK Farkash-Hacohen resigns from Blue and White

Centrist lawmaker hopes to join forces with Gadi Eisenkot, says she won’t resign from Knesset as her seat would go to coalition party that Blue and...

24.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Amid Haredi draft controversy, Likud votes for MK Boaz Bismuth to head key Knesset panel

‘All along, since the days of the communist Soviet Union, I have paid a price for my ideology,’ says outgoing chair Yuli Edelstein after...

23.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset votes 71-13 for non-binding motion calling to annex West Bank

Symbolic resolution calls West Bank ‘inseparable part of the Land of Israel’; critics say it reflects misplaced priorities as PA calls it...

23.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Knesset approves compensation package for businesses hurt by Iran conflict

With summer recess looming, coalition and opposition race to complete plan that focuses on maintaining economic ‘continuity’ for small- and medium-...

21.07.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Likud to boot Knesset defense panel head Edelstein for blocking Haredi draft exemption

Party to select Edelstein’s replacement on Wednesday as Netanyahu looks to pave path to passing controversial legislation, keeping coalition...

21.07.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After quitting government, Haredim launch scathing attacks on PM, national religious MKs

‘The ones who are leading the war against Torah students are the religious Zionists,’ says UTJ’s Gafni, arguing it was a mistake to prioritize...

18.07.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Far-right MK Avi Maoz quits coalition, leaving Netanyahu without Knesset majority

Sole Noam party MK notes coalition now only has 60 seats in Knesset, but move, coming after ultra-Orthodox parties also pulling away, won’t...

17.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Shas bolts government over Haredi enlistment, remains part of PM’s coalition

Council of Torah Sages decries ‘persecution against yeshiva students,’ instructs party representatives ‘to immediately resign from all positions...

17.07.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Edelstein stands ground on draft-dodger sanctions as Shas set to depart coalition

‘Public will not forgive those who fail to rise to the occasion,’ powerful Likud MK warns Haredi parties, whose exit will not topple Netanyahu...

16.07.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Motion to expel Arab party head Odeh from Knesset fails to pass; coalition MKs heckle him

In raucous session, only 73 of the required 90 lawmakers back motion to boot Hadash-Ta’al chairman Ayman Odeh, who vows to ‘stand strong against...

15.07.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

United Torah Judaism quits gov’t to protest new proposal on army enlistment exemptions

Degel Hatorah claims coalition ‘repeatedly violated its commitments to care for the status of yeshiva students’; Edelstein said to vow he won’t...

15.07.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi parties threaten to bolt coalition unless conscription exemption bill advances

UTJ’s Degel Hatorah faction warns it could leave government within 24 hours unless presented with draft legislation exempting yeshiva students from...

14.07.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol