Itamar Ben-Gvir

Netanyahu's bloc leads election results as Shin Bet probes foreign interference

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Gadi Zaig - the top stories, clear and concise.

Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud party’s election headquarters in Jerusalem, October 28, 2026
United Arab List (Ra’am) party chairman Mansour Abbas stands alongside fellow party members on stage following the release of exit poll results in the northern Israeli city of Sakhnin, on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.

Ra'am's Abbas rejects election interference claims, denies Qatari links 'unlike Netanyahu'

Illustrative image of Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot

Netanyahu eyes unity government with Eisenkot as Likud considers alternative coalition arrangements

Ra'am Party Chairman Mansour Abbas casts his ballot, October 26, 2027.

The results are in: Netanyahu's Likud is Israel's biggest party with 27 seats as all votes counted


'This will not be overlooked': Herzliya mayor slams Otzma Yehudit handing out noose pins at school

Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher condemned the distribution of noose-themed pins to students at Handasaim High School, calling the incident the crossing of an “educational, ethical, and moral red line.”

Pins handed out to Herzliya high school students depicted a noose.

Sohlberg orders removal of Ben-Gvir prison video, imposes NIS 20,000 costs

The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel and the nonprofit Voting for Israel filed petitions arguing that the video constituted election propaganda produced through the use of public assets.

Israeli National Security Minister and Otzma Yehudit party chairman Itamar Ben Gvir and fellow party member Tali Gottlieb attend a press conference ahead of the upcoming general elections, in Jerusalem, September 22, 2026.

Abu Shehadeh withdraws after Supreme Court signals disqualification

Otzma Yehudit and its chairman, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, brought the application against Abu Shehadeh, and all nine Supreme Court justices recommended that the candidate withdraw.

Balad chairman and Joint List member Sami Abu Shehadeh arrives at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem for a hearing on the Central Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify him from running in the upcoming Knesset elections, October 1, 2026.

Ben-Gvir’s latest death penalty rhetoric borrows from an ancient Machiavellian Playbook - opinion

At the start of Sukkot, Ben-Gvir released a video in which he threatened imprisoned Hamas terrorist Hassan Salameh, telling him, “I want to kill you. I want to put you to death.” 

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir leads Otzma Yehudit faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on May 25, 2026.

Ben-Gvir to demand extradition of flydubai pilot to Israel after attempted terror hijacking

"Our security doctrine must be clear: Anyone who tries to murder or harm Israelis, the State of Israel will pursue them and settle the score with them anywhere in the world," he said.

National Security Minister and Otzma Yehudit party chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir, together with members of his party, arrives to submit the Otzma Yehudit party list to the Central Elections Committee ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, September 7, 2026.

Supreme Court signals majority to bar Abu Shehadeh, urges him to withdraw

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit said the justices unanimously agreed that Abu Shehadeh’s statements were “painful, outrageous and repugnant,” but added that they differed on the legal outcome.

A hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on the Central Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify Ra’am, Sami Abu Shehadeh, MK Ofer Cassif and the Joint List from running in the upcoming Knesset elections, October 1, 2026.

Israeli ministers call for increased military action after flydubai incident

Ministers and opposition politicians also praised the Israeli passengers aboard the flybubai aircraft, saying that they saved many lives and potentially prevented a disaster on the scale of 9/11.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025.

U2 frontman Bono compares Ben-Gvir comments on Gazans to Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler's rhetoric

During the interview, conducted by journalist Brian Hiatt, Bono addressed comments Ben-Gvir made about Gaza residents in a conversation with former hostage survivor Rom Braslavski.

Bono of U2 performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

WATCH: Strock says Israel will establish settlements across West Bank Areas A, B as sanctions mount

In addition, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would make no distinction between Areas A, B, and C if appointed defense minister.

National Missions Minister Orit Strock seen at a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

Ben-Gvir allegedly using bot network in campaign against political rivals

Ben-Gvir reportedly has ties to a coordinated network of more than 100 social media accounts used to target his political rivals.

Israeli National Security Minister and Otzma Yehudit party chairman Itamar Ben Gvir and fellow party member Tali Gottlieb attend a press conference ahead of the upcoming general elections, in Jerusalem, September 22, 2026