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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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MKs advance bill to dissolve Knesset and potentially move up elections to September

MKs advance bill to dissolve Knesset and potentially move up elections to September

Over 105 MKs vote to disband parliament amid Haredi revolt over military service exemptions; coalition whip says election will be held sometime...

02.06.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Mass ultra-Orthodox protests block roads, halt traffic over arrest of draft dodgers

Public transport heavily impacted as protesters climb onto railway tracks in central Israel, block Jerusalem light rail; protester hit by...

01.06.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Dozens break into Beit Shemesh police station after arrest of Haredi draft dodger

Eight people arrested after rioters forced open the gate to the compound and set fire to nearby brush

01.06.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Police rabbi says Haredi draft evaders filing complaints at stations won’t be detained

Hardline Jerusalem Faction announces postponement of ‘stormy’ demonstrations, claiming IDF intends to free ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers from...

31.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Following draft evader arrests, Gafni calls on Haredim to halt cooperation with police

Degel HaTorah chair urges local representatives not to ‘become complicit in harming the holy Torah.’ MKs advance bill restoring daycare subsidies...

27.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lawmakers to vote on first reading of Knesset dissolution bill on Monday

Timeline for passage of legislation and date for early Knesset vote remain unclear; Elections must be held by October 27, at the latest

27.05.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Opposition party leaders spar over potential inclusion of Haredim in future coalition

Democrats’ Golan slammed for saying he would include ultra-Orthodox in government; Lapid and Bennett vow no compromise on draft exemptions

27.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ex-Likud minister Gilad Erdan says he is considering establishing right-wing party

Lifelong Likud member tells Radio 103FM he is examining ‘feasibility’ of run, sees himself as a potential premier once Prime Minister Benjamin...

26.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid takes aim at ‘disaster’ US-Iran deal, says Netanyahu failed to achieve victory

Opposition leader says it’s ‘absurd’ negotiations to end conflict did not include Israel, which must ‘maintain freedom of action’ regardless...

25.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi parties reject latest draft exemption bill, setting stage for Sept. elections

Spiritual leader of ultra-Orthodox faction believes Netanyahu has no intention of letting the bill pass into law, is instead trying to use it for a...

24.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi bill aims to reduce draft dodgers’ sentences if religious needs ‘violated’

UTJ’s Porush claims ongoing ‘violation of basic religious rights’ of Haredi evaders in military prison, even though IDF already provides for the...

24.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Army complains of manpower shortage as Knesset restarts work on draft exemption bill

‘We will very soon reach the region of ​​80,000-90,000 draft dodgers,’ IDF official tells MKs, as PM launches last-ditch campaign to pass law...

20.05.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MKs advance bill to dissolve Knesset, potentially trigger slightly earlier elections

Netanyahu absent from preliminary vote, which left-wing leader calls ‘beginning of end of worst government in Israel’s history’; bill does not...

20.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Preliminary vote to dissolve Knesset set for Wednesday as legislative agenda cleared

Democrats’ Yair Golan reportedly urges opposition leaders to hold joint press conference ahead of vote to show unity, as country likely to hold...

20.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Liberman says his goal for the upcoming election is to become prime minister

Hawkish MK’s Yisrael Beytenu party polls at only around 9 seats; however, he rules out threatening to join Netanyahu for leverage

19.05.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Firebrand Likud MK indicted for disclosing Shin Bet agent’s identity

Tally Gotliv, who revealed details on partner of opposition activist while spreading conspiracy theory about him, submits immunity request to Knesset...

19.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

MKs vote to advance bills splitting and weakening role of AG, making it harder to indict PM

Opposition MKs walk out, leaving coalition lawmakers to unanimously approve bills for their first readings; deputy AG warns of ‘danger to democratic...

19.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Rebuked by court and military, police say they will detain draft evaders

Shas blasts arrests of ‘precious Torah scholars’; Smotrich demands Haredi leaders endorse military service for those not engaged in full-time...

18.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Former Shas minister Moshe Arbel resigns from Knesset ahead of election

Moderate ultra-Orthodox lawmaker, who served as both health and interior minister in current government, to be replaced by former MK Erez Malul

17.05.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

As coalition collapses around him, Netanyahu revives Haredi draft exemption bill

Renewal of deliberations ‘just an attempt to delay the election date,’ says senior Haredi political official. Lapid accuses PM of ‘selling out...

17.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi extremists brag openly of campaign to obstruct cops, but evade consequences

In carefully worded emails, Jerusalem Faction organizers boast of mobilizing protests to block enforcement against draft dodgers, sometimes violently,...

17.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Call for ‘independent’ inquiry removed from coalition bill establishing Oct. 7 probe

Removal of clause a ‘clerical error,’ says MK Kallner; updated draft would disqualify former senior military and intelligence officials from...

13.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

At new party’s first rally, Bennett vows to ‘unite the nation’ and enact constitution

Former premier says Likud founders ‘rolling in their graves’ at what party has become under Netanyahu; Lapid: Merger with Bennett is about...

13.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi factions back dissolving Knesset, increasing chance for early elections

Degel HaTorah spiritual chief says it has ‘lost trust’ in PM over failure to pass army exemption bill; move would need support of Shas to succeed;...

12.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

‘A modern Eichmann trial’: Lawmakers tout imminent passage of bill to try Oct. 7 perpetrators

Yariv Levin asserts the bill will not only serve justice but ensure the historical record of the massacre; around 300 invaders captured on October 7...

11.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ministers back bills giving government ‘sole discretion’ over senior appointments

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation pushes off decisions on proposals to cancel Oslo Accords, barring immigration and citizenship for...

10.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Central Elections Committee taps acting director-general following shock resignation

CEC chairman Noam Sohlberg says Dean Livne, body’s recently retired legal adviser, will replace Orly Adas through the upcoming election, until a...

10.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Eisenkot says Bennett-Lapid uniting without him is ‘not how you build partnerships’

Yashar chairman tells party activists he wanted to join merger, condensing Zionist opposition into three separate slates representing left, right and...

10.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

After joining Yashar, ex-head of Shin Bet says Smotrich a ‘legitimate’ partner, rules out Ben Gvir

Yoram Cohen warns of ‘catastrophic’ outcome for Israel if coalition with ‘non-Zionist’ elements retains power after election, says he entered...

09.05.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Amid speculation of merger, Eisenkot and Liberman say they’re ‘deepening cooperation’

Yashar and Yisrael Beytenu party heads hold meeting; Yair Golan urges Eisenkot to join either with his Democrats or Bennett and Lapid’s Together party

07.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Ministerial panel to vote on bill that would bar citizenship for non-Orthodox converts

Reform movement leader: ‘Government slamming door in the faces’ of Diaspora Jews amid rising antisemitism; MK Rabbi Kariv: Move would ‘collapse...

07.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Anger over handling of Hezbollah fight could put Netanyahu’s northern support at risk

Traditionally a Likud stronghold, areas along Lebanon border could shift backing away from PM’s party due to unpopular ceasefire and sense that...

07.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

PM said to ask Haredim to again shelve draft exemption bill — this time until after election

Senior ultra-Orthodox MK denies report while another suggests it’s true, claiming Netanyahu lied about ever having any intention to pass law...

06.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Golan: Zionist opposition must partner with Arab party Ra’am to topple government

The Democrats chief says public embrace of MK Mansour Abbas is ‘appropriate Zionist response’ after Smotrich said Arabs’ inclusion in last...

05.05.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen joins Eisenkot’s Yashar party

Cohen, who served as head of the Shin Bet from 2011 to 2016 under Netanyahu, is a fierce critic of the prime minister; Eisenkot praises him as a...

05.05.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Rioters who broke into IDF police chief’s home charged with assault, trespassing

Charges also include property damage and unlawful assembly; Ashkelon court extends detention of 10 suspects who held anti-conscription protest in yard...

29.04.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Haredi anti-draft rioters break into Military Police chief’s home with family inside

Netanyahu condemns extremists’ action, as do defense minister and chief of staff, who says it ‘crosses a dangerous red line’; Jerusalem Faction:...

28.04.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lapid said willing to drop to third spot on ticket with Bennett if Eisenkot joins

Eisenkot resists invitation, welcomes economist Shaul Meridor into his own party’s electoral slate; Gantz says Bennett-Lapid merger doesn’t serve...

28.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Poll shows new Lapid-Bennett union edging out Likud as largest party

Channel 12 survey says Jewish-majority opposition parties led by Bennett would win 60 seats, with PM’s coalition at 50, Arab parties at 10; marks no...

28.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Launching joint slate, Bennett and Lapid promise ‘the era of division is over’

‘We are uniting today to win the elections and to establish a Zionist government,’ says Lapid. ‘To win the elections, the entire Israeli center...

27.04.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Eisenkot welcomes Bennett-Lapid union but says: To win, we need to bring in more votes

Former IDF chief, Yashar party leader not joining slate, but Bennett says ‘door is open’; Netanyahu’s Likud: Lapid, Bennett joining...

26.04.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announce united run under Bennett in 2026 elections

Bennett invites Gadi Eisenkot to join new party, declares that ‘the era of division is over’; Lapid calls on entire nation to rally behind new leader

26.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Backing public transit on Shabbat, Bennett steers campaign into jammed center lane

No longer constrained by right-wing niche, former PM seeks broader appeal — but he may end up only drawing votes away from his potential coalition...

25.04.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Lavish Hasidic fundraising event held on Memorial Day eve, sparking condemnation

Democrats chair Yair Golan blasts ‘contempt for mutual responsibility’ by ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, says they don’t care about those who...

21.04.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

In bellicose Memorial Day speeches, leaders vow to keep fighting; Netanyahu heckled

Defense minister says Hezbollah leader will ‘pay with his head’; protester interrupts PM when he says he brought back all the hostages from Gaza;...

21.04.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Smotrich urges PM to order the IDF to ‘prepare for the full occupation’ of Gaza

Far-right minister repeats call for rebuilding settlements in Strip; Likud minister calls reestablishment of West Bank settlement evacuated in 2005...

19.04.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Polls find PM’s bloc far from majority, but most say Zionist opposition also falls short

ToI poll: Eisenkot-Bennett-Lapid merger yields biggest party, but doesn’t alter bloc sizes; Channel 12 poll: Even coalition voters say not enough...

17.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Bennett unveils plan for increasing disability access across Israel

‘Accessibility is not a side issue. It is the heart of our society,’ says ex-prime minister; pledges to integrate the disabled into the workforce...

17.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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...

15.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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...

15.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol