Former chief of staff and security adviser; currently a political actor shaping Israel’s security posture amid electoral race
Palestinian memorials in Madama have been destroyed during a West Bank visit by far-right Israeli MP Zvi Sukkot and aides, under Israeli military protection. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinians and many Israelis, as authorities condemn the act and question the coordination of the tour.
Israel’s coalition has advanced a bill to dissolve the Knesset in a first reading, paving the way for early elections. Lawmakers expect votes on a dissolution date between September 8 and October 20, with final readings required. The move comes amid coalition tensions and debates over other judiciary-related reforms.
The latest updates show Israel maintains actions against Hezbollah while US President Trump has weighed in on strategy. Israeli leaders are coordinating responses amid regional tensions, with ongoing cross-border incidents and political pressure shaping decisions ahead of elections.
Israel's prime minister appears set to run in the upcoming election, despite escalating tensions with Washington and renewed regional conflicts. President Trump’s expletive-laden criticisms have strained the alliance, while domestic polls show mixed support for Netanyahu’s candidacy as the war widens across Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran-adjacent fronts.
Israel's election campaign intensifies as Netanyahu's governing coalition faces internal strains, coalition dissolution, and public scrutiny over the Gaza war and regional security. The race is set against Netanyahu's long tenure, an ICC warrant, and shifting U.S. ties, with polls suggesting potential changes in government.
Israel has maintained a hard line on Iran, pressing for a broader Arab-Israeli unity government while Washington pushes a diplomatic path toward Tehran; observers warn the u.S.-Israel alliance faces renewed strain as Iran-focused diplomacy unfolds and Gulf states recalibrate ties.
The opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games is underway in Jerusalem as Israel marks 1,000 days since the Hamas attacks. Organizers highlight resilience while ongoing security concerns loom over the event.
Opposition figures have not criticized Israel’s wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran; they challenge the government’s conduct and its alignment with the United States, while warning of growing regional threats. Bennett, Lapid and Eisenkot are among the leaders who argue Israel must fight better even as they acknowledge public support for anti-Iran and anti-Hezbollah campaigns.
Israel's Knesset has passed the first reading of a bill to establish a six-member investigative commission. The vote is part of a broader push amid ongoing protests marking 1,000 days since the October 7 attacks. Opposition lawmakers have boycotted the measure, calling for an independent state commission of inquiry.
Eisenkot has surged in polls as his Yashar party leads Likud in some surveys for the October 27 election, with calls for stronger security and universal service forming the core of his platform. Netanyahu faces a shifting coalition dynamic as security concerns and politics collide.
Netanyahu has met with Trump in Washington to review three approaches to Iran: a diplomatic deal, sustained economic pressure with a blockade, or a renewed military campaign. The discussions, conducted without public detail, aim to determine the path that best prevents a nuclear Iran while considering global energy impacts.
The Board of Peace-backed roadmap has reached a final draft in Cairo, with Hamas accepting the framework while stipulations hinge on Israel’s withdrawal and disarmament. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey push for a staged implementation, though Netanyahu’s position on disarmament and the timing of a withdrawal keep the plan in flux amid Israel’s elections.
The Times of Israel reports ongoing confrontations within Israel's ruling coalition over ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service. Lawmakers have pushed through measures while facing opposition from a shrinking band of dissenters; the issue shapes the political landscape ahead of the upcoming election.
Israeli and French campaigns are leveraging summer travel and international outreach to mobilize voters, with overseas billboards and cruise-ship stops drawing attention. Analysts note heightened focus on election procedures, voter access, and integrity as key campaigns push to capture center-left and right-leaning blocks ahead of looming ballots.
Kushner and a U.S. envoy delegation have met Hamas leaders to advance the Gaza roadmap. Netanyahu maintains disarmament is a precondition for any Israeli withdrawal. Regional powers back mediators as talks accelerate toward a schedule for implementation.
In a Channel 12 interview tied to a new book, former prime minister Naftali Bennett accuses a pro-Netanyahu campaign machine of distorting his image and reveals tense moments from his 2021 handover discussions, underscoring the fragility of Netanyahu’s governing coalition as elections approach.
Netanyahu has said Iran targeted one of his sons and attempted to murder him, a claim made during a Channel 14 interview as he presses for around-the-clock protection for a rival candidate. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and debate over security for political figures ahead of the October elections.
The controversy surrounding Hasan Piker’s remarks has prompted strong responses from Democratic leaders and candidates, underscoring the challenge of unifying diverse voter blocs ahead of midterm-style contests. Piker has faced mounting scrutiny over antisemitism accusations, while candidates emphasize policy concerns like gas, groceries, and healthcare.