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Sam Sokol

Sam Sokol

The Times of Israel

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

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...

yesterday 20

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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

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

thursday 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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

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...

thursday 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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

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...

thursday 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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

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 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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

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 40

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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

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 50

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 40

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 40

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 70

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 70

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 50

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 50

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 70

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 60

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 50

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 50

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 40

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 60

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 70

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 60

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 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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...

15.04.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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 60

The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

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 80

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 70

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 70

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 70

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 80

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 90

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 80

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 70

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 80

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 100

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 60

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 70

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 90

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 100

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 100

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 100

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