Israeli politics

The long arc of Israeli protests: A nation’s conscience or Achilles’ heel? - analysis

Protests have long been a defining feature of Israel’s democracy – they give voice to anguish, mobilize citizens, and hold leaders to account. But they are not inherently virtuous.

STUDENTS PROTEST outside the Education Ministry in Tel Aviv, Sept. 1, the first  day of school. Their banner reads, ‘Without the hostages, there is no learning [school].’
MK Moshe Gafni in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, December 4, 2024PremiumPremium

The government continues, but without the haredim

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Bennett edges ahead of Netanyahu for premiership in latest Channel 13 poll

President Isaac Herzog shows a screenshot from the recent Hamas video of hostage Evyatar David, at a news conference during a visit to Riga, Latvia last week.

Herzog on gov't decisions: 'I intervene when possible,' but can't blindly react to everything


Benny Gantz fails to cross threshold, Yossi Cohen, Yoaz Hendel to upend Knesset balance

Polls conducted by Maariv and Channel 12 found that Benny Gantz's Blue and White Party will fail to pass the threshold while the Religious Zionist Party is just at the edge.

Head of Blue and White party MK Benny Gantz speaks during press conference in Tel Aviv on August 23, 2025.

Ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen says 'any real change' would come should he become PM

While Yossi Cohen stated in the podcast that he would consider running for prime minister, Walla's June polls found that his party would not receive enough mandates to pass the electoral threshold.

Former Head of the Mossad Yossi Cohen attends a Menorah lighting ceremony on the sixth night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, at the great synagogue in Tel Aviv, December 30, 2024.

Tel Aviv decries 'non-issue' in synagogue controversy, ‘faith’ clause removed months ago

The most up-to-date text of the clause shows that the “faith” part has been taken out, undercutting what many ministers and Members of Knesset were quick to catalogue as a widespread liberal threat.

Religious Jews gather on the eve of Tisha B'Av at a synagogue in Tel Aviv, August 12, 2024

Israel Police arrest 61-year-old woman during protest over alleged 'incitement to violence'

The woman, whose name hasn’t been shared, is a resident of northern Israel who chanted the slogan “with spirit and blood, we redeemed Gaza." 

Thousands of people gathered to protest the possible firing of A-G Gali Baharav-Miara, August 3, 2025.

Netanyahu nurtured Hamas 'for years,' Avigdor Liberman charges

Liberman said that "time after time," Netanyahu prevented targeted strikes against Hamas leaders, which he claimed eventually led to his departure from the government.

 Head of Israel Beyteinu party Avigdor Liberman adresses the Israeli parliament on June 09, 2025.

Netanyahu: Protesters are delaying release of hostages, ensuring continuation of war

More than 300 demonstrations are expected throughout the day as hostages families try to bring the nation to a standstill.

Israeli police officers try to move the demonstrators blocking a road during a protest, after families of hostages called for a nationwide strike to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in Jerusalem, August 17, 2025.

Netanyahu's coalition gains seat amid Gaza takeover talks in latest election poll

The poll also found that an absolute majority of Israelis, 69%, fear that the prolonged war in Gaza will harm Israel’s social cohesion.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to international media on the Gaza war, in Jerusalem, August 10, 2025

With Israel under siege, gov't leaders must prioritize national unity over politics - editorial

Differences of opinion are inevitable; what’s not acceptable is airing them in ways that erode deterrence, morale, and the perception of competence. 

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu sits among his ministers in the Knesset plenum. As long as the executive dominates the Knesset unchecked, the chamber will remain what it too often is: performative, loud, and largely hollow, says the writer.

Foreign Minister Sa'ar rejoins Likud in merger with United Right

Sa'ar left the Likud party in 2020 over criticism of the party's head, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

 Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar attend a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem June 17, 2025.

Yesh Atid submits High Court request to prohibit Levin from interfering with A-G's duties

Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Sohlberg issued a temporary order against the A-G's firing on Monday, blocking it from advancing until the court can review the decision.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin seen in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, December 4, 2024

Arab parties agree to move ahead with reestablishing Joint List bloc for next elections

MK Ahmad Tibi said that “the four Arab lists must run together in a joint slate,” due to "the challenges facing Arab society in Israel and the state as a whole."

 MK Ahmad Tibi reacts during a plenum session in the Knesset on November 21, 2022