MK Eichler Returning from France: Jews Feel Imprisoned
Shortly after returning from France, MK Rabbi Israel Eichler (United Torah Judaism) said anxiety surrounds the French Jewish community: "There is a constant tension, the Jewish community is living in a prison-like situation." Eichler said France poses "a great danger to Jews."
Mofaz Wins Kadima Primary Polls by 62% to Livni’s 38%
Out of 95 thousand registered Kadima party members, only 40% voted by 10 p.m., when the polls closed. It was rumored that left-leaning Haim Ramon was planning to resign as Chair of the Kadima Council. Along with the Mofaz win, this may suggest that the party is moving to the right. It may also mean that Kadima could not be taken for granted as partnering with the left on issues such as religious vs. secular tensions.
Knesset Speaker: Elections in September; New Law Will Reduce Power of High Court; Pollard...
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin says elections for Israel's next government will be held this coming September. There's one major reason why Rivlin is interested in going to the voter soon: he hopes that the in the next Knesset he'll get the votes to pass his new bill, seeking to level the playing field between the High Court and the Knesset. He also believes Peres will bring Pollard home.
Both Religious Zionist Knesset Factions Celebrate the Mimouna; Ketzele: We Run Together or I...
Hundreds of activists who had arrived to celebrate the Mimouna applauded the MKs announcements that there was no other option for their two factions but to run a united list in the next Knesset elections. MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzele) repeated his earlier announcement that if the two factions do not run as one, he would remove himself from the campaign.
Yair Lapid’s ‘Future’ Problem
Former journalist and rookie politician Yair Lapid's new party is off to a problematic start. Lapid's choice of the name 'Atid' for his new political party has created yet another controversy for the political neophyte; it is similar enough to Atid Echad - an immigrant party with mostly Ethiopian support - to cause confusion to voters, and possible legal action by its chair Yechezkel Stelzer.
Likud Moves to Dissolve Knesset, Eyes Sept. 4 Election
The Likud Party, which leads the ruling coalition, has submitted a bill to dissolve the current Knesset and is pushing for new elections on Sept. 4.
Exclusive: New Yorker Gideon Ariel Running Against Netanyahu for President of Likud Convention
UPDATE: About 100 Likud Central Committee members have been refused entrance into the hall where the vote on the next President of the Likud convention is to be held. Police say the Exhibition Gardens hall in north Tel Aviv is too small for the number of committee members who are entitled to come in and vote.
Netanyahu Calls for New Election, Lieberman Wants Delay
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Likud Party convention called for a four-month election campaign. Meanwhile, coalition partner Yisrael Beiteinu called for a delay of the Knesset dissolution to allow the government to pass its bill ordering mandatory enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces for all Israeli citizens.
Netanyahu Wins, Knesset Dissolved
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Monday submitted a bill to dissolve the 18th Knesset and call for early elections, which was passed by the House Committee vote of 13 to 4. The move was designed to undermine Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's attempt to promote his bill calling for drafting Haredi citizens.
New American-Affiliated Party Launches Knesset Bid
Danny Goldstein, founder and chairman of 'Calcala' ('Finance'): “We are focused on making Israel a better place to live and a better place to invest by merging the best of Israel and America - representing Israelis, but with an eye on the American perspective.”
Avigdor Liberman: Ulpana and Tal Law Replacement ‘Two Major Tests’ for New Coalition
Israel Beytenu Chairman: "The residents who have lived in Givat Ulpana for years are law-abiding citizens. This is not an illegal outpost. It is the state's mistake, and it must take responsibility. There are ways to regulate the matter with legislation."
Netanyahu Inaugurates Coalition with ‘Four Main Goals’
Netanyahu: "By the end of July, we will pass a law that will divide the burden on a more equal, more egalitarian and more just basis for all Israelis, Jewish and Arab alike, without setting public against public."
Coalition Grumblings: Political Posturing or First Signs of Splintering?
The intensifying focus on legislating an alternative to the Tal Law has the ultra-Orthodox parties in the Likud-led coalition defensive yet intractable. Shas and UTJ - representing 15 seats in the government - have declared that they will not participate in the coalition committee on finding an alternative.
Jerusalem Protest Detainees Released
Following a Knesset vote on the “Regulation Law” intended to prevent the evacuation of the Ulpana Neighborhood in Beit El, Ulpana residents and others supporting the law broke up in angry protest. Police, on horseback and on foot, acted brutally to subdue what was, essentially, a loud protest.
Beit El Caravillas Herald Ulpana Destruction, Massive Expansion
In line with the government’s plan to destroy 5 buildings in the Ulpana Hill neighborhood of Beit El, six caravilla mobile homes were delivered on Monday to house evicted families. Community leaders hope out of the ashes may come the biggest development in years.
PM Establishes Special Committee for Judea and Samaria
The government on Sunday voted to put a ministerial committee headed by the Prime Minister in charge of Jewish development in Judea and Samaria , the first time in 16 years that the establishment and expansion of Jewish communities in the biblical heartland will not come under the purview of the full government.
Bibi Dissolves Tal Law Committee, Setting Up Potential Government Rift
A government coalition effort to craft a revised version of the Tal Law, whereby a sizeable number of draft eligible haredi yeshiva students would be forced to choose between joining the Israel Defense Forces or partake in Sherut Leumi (alternative national service), could become a political quagmire for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Kadima Party leader Shaul Mofaz is threatening to bolt the unity government over a lack of progress toward finding a solution.
PM Rallies Likud MKs to Find Haredi Army Service Solution
As the deadline for the renewal of the Tal Law approaches and tens of thousands of people rallied to demand that all citizens of Israel perform national service, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of the Likud Knesset faction to discuss ways to include Hareidim in national and military service. With his party in agreement, the prime minister is on his way to drafting new legislation.
Special Committee: Judea and Samaria Communities Legal, Let Construction Resume
The “outposts committee” recommended legalizing and expanding the outposts. Leaders in the region are urging immediate implementation.
Ahead of Vote, Liberman Video Touts Importance of Equal Service Law
On Monday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's party Yisrael Beytenu released a video stressing the importance of passing a law mandating equal service for all Israelis. The video shows, through dramatic graphics, how by 2020 a majority of Israelis will not be serving. Titled “One Citizenship. One Obligation. One Opportunity. One Vote,” the clip was released ahead of the planned vote on Yisrael Beytenu’s IDF, National, or Civilian Service Law Proposal this Wednesday in the Knesset.
Liberman Buys Time for Coalition, Hareidim Not Buying Idea of Service in Jewish Army
Avigdor Liberman says he will continue to pursue the drafting of all Israelis at the age of 18, but will uphold the current coalition.
Israeli Political Constellation Realigns As Kadima Quits Government
For the second time in just two months, the Israeli political universe was upended when Shaul Mofaz’s Kadima Party voted to quit Israel’s governing coalition.
Despite Declarations for Equality – Knesset Shoots Down Universal Service Bill
Despite demands for fairness and equality, the Knesset overwhelmingly voted down Yisrael Beytenu's bill for Universal Service.
“We’re Not in Lodz Ghetto Anymore” – Temple Mount Activists Fight for Jewish Rights...
A renewed outcry for “Temple consciousness” has arisen with a flurry of political, religious, and social activity.
Knesset Speaker Rivlin: Must Attack Iran, Can’t Keep Bluffing
Rivlin said, “If we don’t attack [Iran], we will lose our deterrence with our enemies. If Israel keeps threatening and threatening, but in the end doesn’t act, it will place us in a bad strategic position. Israel’s deterrence capabilities are a strategic asset that has no equivalent.” Rivlin then went on to attack specific individuals, such as Kadima head Shaul Mofaz, and the various former intelligence chiefs, condemnibg what he believes is their need to comment in real-time on the Iran situation, because otherwise they won’t be considered “in.”
New Campaign Aims to Find Rightful Heirs in North America Of 60,000 Unclaimed Holocaust...
The Hashava Company, established by the Israeli Knesset to locate heirs of Holocaust victims entitled to assets currently held in Israel, is set to embark on a campaign in the United States and Canada to find rightful heirs of more than 60,000 unclaimed Holocaust assets.
Bayit Yehudi Membership Drive Results Surprises
Following a short but intense membership drive, the Bayit Yehudi party announced that over 53,000 members have signed up. This number is expected to...
Speculations: Israeli Elections Moved Up to February
The Israeli press has been featuring several leaks from Netanyahu's inner circle on Tuesday and Wednesday regarding the approaching declaration of a February vote, although an official declaration is yet to made. "We will make a decision by the opening of the winter session" of the Knesset, Netanyahu said on Tuesday. The winter session will start in two weeks.
Netanyahu Dissolves the Knesset, Announces Early Elections
The prime minister announced his intention to hold elections in early 2013, after concluding that he could not pass a "responsible budget." He told the nation on Tuesday night: "I decided the good of the State of Israel requires elections now, and as soon as possible."
Polls Indicate Netanyahu Will Score in New Elections
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s call to disband the government and call for new elections may serve him well, if two public opinion polls published Thursday pan out.