ANNA BARSKY

Anna Barsky is the politics reporter for The Jerusalem Post's sister publication, Maariv.

A flydubai plane carrying passengers from flight FZ1073 arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, after a suspected terror attack aboard their original flight from Dubai to Israel forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, September 30, 2026.

Government weighs NIS 9m. assistance after flydubai suspends Israel flights - analysis

IDF soldiers lower Israeli flags to half-mast at the President's Residence in Jerusalem to commemorate the October 7 massacre, October 5, 2026.

From North to South: Israel bows its head in remembrance of October 7 massacre

A general view of a sign displaying fuel prices at a gas station in central Israel, after fuel prices increased at midnight, October 1, 2026.

Netanyahu, Smotrich intervene to cut gas prices again after Israel reaches record high


Opposition shifts focus to sway moderate Right, soft Likud voters as election nears - analysis

After weeks in which a significant part of the political battle was also being fought within the blocs themselves, parties are now looking for seats they can bring in from outside their own camp.

Five 'change bloc' leaders meet in Yair Lapid's Tel Aviv home.

As Netanyahu weighs his next coalition, Ofer Winter emerges as a key right-wing spoiler - analysis

Which parties Likud would seek to bring into a coalition, and whether those parties would be willing to join such a government, will become clear only after the election.

People of Israel party head Ofer tours the Mahane Yehuda market ahead of the election, in Jerusalem, September 17, 2026

Government extends emergency reservist call-ups through November, lowers cap to 200,000

Ministers approved extending emergency reserve call-ups and special detention arrangements through November 30, despite a Defense Ministry legal opinion warning of serious equality concerns.

 Reservist exercise in the North. January 17, 2024

Five 'change bloc' leaders hold coordinating meeting ahead of elections

Opposition leader Yair Lapid hosted change bloc chiefs, including Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot, on Saturday night to coordinate election moves amid rising internal tensions.

Five 'change bloc' leaders meet in Yair Lapid's Tel Aviv home.

Saudi Arabia’s security needs expose limits of diplomacy, give Israel an opportunity - analysis

Bin Salman’s security strategy faces a major test as Houthi attacks expose alliance limits and highlight Israel’s intelligence and defense role.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the inaugural session of the Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 10, 2025

Businesses damaged through extortion to be assisted by NIS 35 million program backed by Smotrich

Smotrich's plan includes compensation worth tens of millions of shekels for victims of protection-money extortion, aiming to enable those the have suffered protection payments to refuse to pay.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a ceremony marking the establishment of the new Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Arugot in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, September 2, 2026.

Sohlberg issues injunction against Satmar org. accused of bribing voters to abstain from election

A petition filed by the Movement for Quality Government alleged that a Satar-affiliated organization offered payments of NIS 200 to haredim who vowed not to vote in the upcoming Knesset elections.

Chairman of the Central Elections Committee (CEC), Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, Acting Director-General of the CEC, Attorney Din Livne, and committee members attend the registration of party lists ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections at the Knesset in Jerusalem, September 7, 2026.

Israeli teenager killed during Russian drone strike on residential building in Kyiv

The Israeli consulate in Kyiv and the Foreign Ministry are in contact with the teenager's family and assisting in the matter.

Firefighters work at the site of an apartment building which was hit by a Russian jet drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 25, 2026.

Foreign Ministry issues travel warning for Tigray region of Ethiopia amid local escalation

The warning comes amid the renewal of armed clashes in Tigray and surrounding areas. At the same time, Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to and from the airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire.

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787.

Foreign Ministry aims at online younger generation in new digital public diplomacy efforts

Data from the UNmasked UN campaign shows that one of the most prominent age groups it reaches is people aged 25 to 35, with significant success in English-speaking countries, led by the US and UK.

 Social media and digital online concept, man using smart phone.