Israeli minister visiting near Iran returned to Israel by yacht
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer was forced to cut short a visit to Azerbaijan and was evacuated under tight security through Athens, Cyprus, and finally by yacht to Israel.
Arutz Sheva political correspondent
News by Hezki Baruch
Financial Warfare:
Financial Warfare: 91 million shekels transfered from PA to terror victims
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich authorized the transfer of 91 million shekels from the frozen Palestinian Authority funds in Israel to the families of terror victims.
Likud MK to Arutz Sheva:
MK Kathrin Shitrit to Arutz Sheva: Elections would endanger the hostages
MK Shitrit warns that dissolving the Knesset would paralyze the political system, undermine efforts to bring the hostages home, and stall security and legislative progress.
Mother of slain hostage:
Mother of Inbar Haiman, whose body is held in Gaza: People often ask me, are you sure?
Yifat Haiman, mother of hostage Inbar Haiman, warns: “If we proceed in stages, my daughter could disappear. I live in total uncertainty - I don’t know her condition.”
IDF recruits 14,500 holders of draft exemption to bolster reserve forces
IDF conscripts 14,500 civilians who were previously exempt from reserve duty, aiming to ease pressure on reservists amid ongoing conflict by forming 11 new battalions set to begin service in the coming months.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich:
Smotrich: Intensify Gaza operation, now is no time for elections
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls to escalate operations in Gaza and urges coalition partners to act responsibly, warning against elections during wartime.
Education Minister:
Education Minister announces policy to protect right to lay tefillin in schools
Education Minister Yoav Kisch reveals plans to formalize students’ right to lay tefillin in schools as part of new 'Shorashim' initiative.
Shas official:
Shas official: We don’t want elections, but Draft Law deadlock is a problem
As Knesset prepares to vote on dissolution, Shas source tells Arutz Sheva the party isn’t seeking elections, but Yuli Edelstein’s inflexibility could fracture coalition unity.
'He belongs behind bars'
MK Ofer Cassif on trial for assaulting police officer
National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and MK Kroizer call for prison sentence as MK Cassif stands trial for assaulting officer during protest in closed military zone.
Arson in Jerusalem:
Arson in Jerusalem: 'The rabbi's prayer book remained intact'
Worshipers at the synagogue of Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef were left stunned following an arson attack that caused significant damage to the synagogue - but one item escaped damage.
World lost a great soul:
Staff sergeant Omer Van Gelder laid to rest
Family and friends pay heartfelt tribute to Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, 22, of the Givati Brigade, who was killed in northern Gaza, remembering his selflessness, bravery, and enduring impact.
Haredi enlistment
MK Illouz warns: 'The serving public will turn their backs on us'
'I sincerely hope haredi parties won't bring down a right-wing government just to avoid sharing in this existential war. How will they explain this to their grandchildren? Jewish history will not forget they did this,' says MK Dan Illouz.
Bereaved mother:
Bereaved mother: 'Unity Day shows we're on the right path; but there’s still more to do'
At a Knesset session marking a decade of Unity Day, Bat-Galim Shaer reflects on Israel’s societal challenges and progress, urging Israelis to step out of their comfort zones and embrace diverse voices for the sake of national unity.
US Congressmen to Arutz Sheva:
US Congressmen to Arutz Sheva: Gaza should be sovereign Israeli territory
US Reps. Andrew Clyde & Marlin Stutzman speak to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News during their Israel visit, part of a Congressional delegation. Both condemn Hamas and emphasize Israel's need for strength as well as Gaza's return to Israeli sovereignty.
Ravid Chaim's grandmother:
Ravid Chaim's grandmother: 'I lost a daughter-in-law and a grandchild in 2 weeks'
Naomi Gez tells Arutz Sheva. 'We waited so long for this sweet baby. Unfortunately, his mother was murdered so cruelly, and he as well.'
Watch:
Watch: Funeral of baby Ravid Chaim
Ravid Chaim passed away at two weeks old after being delivered in an emergency procedure when his mother Tze'ela Gez was murdered in a terrorist attack.
Chaos in the plenum:
Chaos in the plenum: MK Kariv disrupts Netanyahu and is removed
MK Gilad Kariv from the Labor Party removed from the Knesset after waving a map of the kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope at the end of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech, disrupting him.
Netanyahu confirms: Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated
During a heated Knesset debate initiated by the opposition, Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected claims of government failure, highlighting military gains and vowing to return all hostages while accusing rivals of undermining the war effort for political gain.
Bereaved husband cries out:
Bereaved husband cries out: 'I came to Israel to build a home - not to bury my wife'
Hananel Gez, husband of murdered mother Tze'ela Gez, leads protest in Jerusalem urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to end restraint policy and ensure security in Judea and Samaria.
Netanyahu:
Netanyahu: All of Gaza will be under Israeli security control
Prime Minister Netanyahu holds first press conference in half a year; discusses war in Gaza, Iran, among other things.
IDF officer: Most draft evaders not from haredi sector
Brig. Gen. Shai Taib tells Knesset committee that most draft evaders are not haredi, citing limited enforcement tools and a rise in evasion following cancellation of legal frameworks.
Israel's medical heroes receive moving recognition in the Knesset
In a special Knesset ceremony, Shields for Volunteerism were awarded to volunteers from Israel and abroad who worked for the health system even under fire. Health Minister Busso: 'This is a recognition of human brotherhood.'
'Defeatist Propaganda':
'Defeatist Propaganda': Bereaved families demand investigation against Yair Golan
Families of fallen soldiers from the Gevurah Forum have called on the Israel Police to launch a criminal investigation against Yair Golan over comments he made during a media interview in May.
MK Moshe Saada:
MK Moshe Saada: 'We are feeding the enemy while sending soldiers to die'
Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada sharply criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling it morally indefensible and strategically disastrous.
Hostage's brother:
Hostage's brother: 'No humanitarian aid until all hostages are home'
Hostage families from the Tikva Forum call on government to stop humanitarian aid to Gaza: 'political echelon displaying weakness.'
Minister Bezalel Smotrich:
Minister Bezalel Smotrich: 'Humanitarian aid a necessity, will not reach Hamas'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defends limited aid to Gaza, insisting it won’t reach Hamas and is vital to securing military and strategic support for Israel’s war effort.
Israeli Eurovision Star:
Yuval Raphael landed in Israel: "I returned with great feelings of pride"
Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 star, returned home to a hero’s welcome after securing second place in the international song contest.
MK Kroizer receives suspicious envelope
Suspicious envelope delivered to the home of MK Yitzhak Kroizer triggered major police investigation, suggesting possible hazardous materials.
Shin Bet:
Shin Bet: Harsh prison conditions help curb terror in Judea and Samaria
Security officials attribute the sharp decline in attacks to a combination of targeted counterterror operations and stricter incarceration policies implemented under National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Likud MK proposes minimum sentence for arson amid wave of fires
MK Eliyahu Revivo introduces bill to set minimum sentence for nationalist arsonists.
Netanyahu:
Netanyahu to wounded soldiers: Things will happen in Gaza you haven’t seen before
Wounded soldiers from the war meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and call for a decisive victory in Gaza. Netanyahu: "A decision has been made to go all the way. We are very close."
Since October 7:
Thousands of IDF soldiers jailed since Oct. 7, Knesset committee reveals
MKs briefed on military discipline enforcement, capture of Hamas terrorists, and thwarting of terror attacks in Judea and Samaria.
Netanyahu responds to reports:
Netanyahu responds to reports: 'There are no gaps between us and the Americans'
Prime Minister Netanyahu denied reports of a growing rift between his government and the Trump administration, and claimed that all reports are a campaign led by one specific channel.
MK Revivo to Netanyahu:
MK Revivo to Netanyahu: No negotiations without info on abducted soldier Tamir Nimrodi
In a letter to the Prime Minister, MK Eliyahu Revivo demands confirmed information on Nimrodi’s condition before any negotiations, calling it “a moral, national, and security test.”
Ben-Gvir:
Ben-Gvir: 'Humanitarian aid for voluntary emmigration'
Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared today: 'As long as our hostages are languishing in the tunnels, there is no need to send aid to Gaza through any channel.'
Hostage's mother calls to disobey reserve call ups
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, calls to refuse reserve call ups for moral reasons.
Appeal to Labor Minister:
Appeal to Labor Minister: 'Shabbat is being erased from public life'
Several organizations have appealed to Minister of Labor Yoav Ben-Tzur, demanding that he enforce the law against employing Jews on Shabbat more significantly.
Fire and Rescue spox:
Fire and Rescue spokesperson: If winds pick up, it could take us back to step one
Israel Fire and Rescue Services Spokesperson Fire Deputy Chief Tal Volbovitz spoke to Arutz Sheva about the possibility that locations that were already extinguished could reignite due to the wind.
Emotional letter written by fallen soldier to his grandmother
Adi, mother of fallen soldier Sergeant first class (res.) Idan Kenan, reads an emotional letter he wrote to his grandmother shortly before he was killed in Gaza.
Fallen soldier's brothers:
Fallen soldier's brothers: We mourn his loss, but on Independence Day we celebrate for him
The three brothers of Lieutenant Shahar Ben Nun speak to Arutz Sheva and describe their feelings on the first Memorial Day as bereaved brothers.
