Israeli lawyer and politician; Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Interior, and Religious Services
Israel has enacted a law to establish a special military tribunal to try Palestinians accused of taking part in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks. The court could hand down the death penalty and will conduct public trials, with processes that rights groups warn may undermine due process. Trials are expected to cover hundreds of suspects and cost billions.
Israel has approved new legislation to try Oct. 7 attackers in a special military court, with a livestreamed tribunal, three-judge panels, and possible death sentences for genocide or related crimes. The law expands to include others charged with crimes against the Jewish people, war crimes and crimes against humanity, and bars prisoner exchanges for those convicted. Trials will be public, with remotely participating defendants and an appeals process.
The Times of Israel and other outlets report that Israel’s coalition is facing a volatile rift over ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions as the Knesset dissolution looms. Analysts say the move is a bargaining tactic tied to pushing for exemptions, with elections potentially moving up from October to September. Supporters and opponents weigh the political stakes and the stability of the government.
Parliament’s impeachment committee has resolved to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent interdict to halt its work on the Phala Phala report. Ramaphosa seeks to revive the report’s legal status after a Constitutional Court ruling, while the committee and key parties push forward. The High Court will consider orders to pause parliamentary proceedings as the process resumes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said federal agents have contacted friends, former staff and donors tied to him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has accused President Donald Trump of ordering a politically motivated investigation as he considers a 2028 presidential run. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been handling separate inquiries that began with local whistleblower tips, including probes into the first partner’s taxes and former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges.
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.