Hezki Baruch

Hezki Baruch

Arutz Sheva political correspondent

News by Hezki Baruch

Million Jews and 40 communities:

Million Jews and 40 communities: Smotrich's plan causes uproar in Arab world

Smotrich’s plan to settle one million Jews in the Negev and Galilee has drawn fierce condemnation and calls from the Arab sector to turn out in large numbers at the polls.

Million Jews and 40 communities: Smotrich's plan causes uproar in Arab world

Ben Gvir defies Netanyahu: No deal with Smotrich

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for unity to save right-wing bloc, Otzma Yehudit declares decision to run separately 'final and absolute.'

Ben Gvir defies Netanyahu: No deal with Smotrich

Ofer Winter clarifies:

Ofer Winter makes his position clear: We will recommend only Netanyahu

Amcha Yisrael chairman Ofer Winter clarifies his position ahead of the election: “We are part of the right-wing camp. Its leader is Netanyahu, and he is the only one we will recommend."

Ofer Winter makes his position clear: We will recommend only Netanyahu

AG seeks to postpone Rabbi Ovadia Yosef memorial events

Due to the proximity of the memorial events to the elections and concern over electioneering using state resources, the Attorney General is seeking to postpone them.

AG seeks to postpone Rabbi Ovadia Yosef memorial events

Netanyahu calls on Ben Gvir and Smotrich to unite

Netanyahu calls on the leaders of Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism to overcome the bad blood between them and unite ahead of the elections.

Netanyahu calls on Ben Gvir and Smotrich to unite

Smotrich reveals

Smotrich reveals: A million weapons in Arab sector, we will act to collect them

Finance Minister presents journalists with a series of demands and measures planned by his party, including appointing Simcha Rothman as Justice Minister.

Smotrich reveals: A million weapons in Arab sector, we will act to collect them

‘Pet Arab?’

‘Pet Arab?’ Winter fires back at journalist over Yoseph Haddad

Ofer Winter says ‘shame on you’ after Raviv Drucker calls Yoseph Haddad a ‘pet Arab,’ while Haddad fires back at the journalist as a ‘petty racist.’

‘Pet Arab?’ Winter fires back at journalist over Yoseph Haddad

Exclusive:

Exclusive: Katz intervenes after Givati soldiers punished

Defense Minister Israel Katz vows to address controversy after yeshiva soldiers confined to base for 21 days over refusal to enter APC with female paramedic.

Exclusive: Katz intervenes after Givati soldiers punished

Soldier blasts Bennett over Madma memorial demolition

A soldier who secured Tzvi Succot’s controversial Madma visit says troops supported the demolition and rejects claims that the tour endangered them.

Soldier blasts Bennett over Madma memorial demolition

Netanyahu warns:

Netanyahu demands of Winter, Maoz and Feiglin: 'Unite with existing parties or back out'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Ofer Winter during an event hosted by the Binyamin Regional Council on Tuesday evening and called on him to unite with Moshe Feiglin and Avi Maoz.

Netanyahu demands of Winter, Maoz and Feiglin: 'Unite with existing parties or back out'

Ofer Winter sets up new party:

Ofer Winter sets up new party: 'This is my dream team'

Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter launches 'Amcha Yisrael' party, with public diplomacy activist Yoseph Haddad at no. 2, alongside military and reserve personnel, media and legal figures, community and bereaved family members.

Ofer Winter sets up new party: 'This is my dream team'

Minister Smotrich:

Minister Smotrich: 'Monument should be destroyed - but not by individuals'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the terror memorial should have been removed long ago, but insisted that only the IDF has the authority to carry out such actions.

Minister Smotrich: 'Monument should be destroyed - but not by individuals'

Sledgehammer in hand

MK takes matters into his own hands, smashes terrorist monuments

MK Tzvi Sukkot takes a sledgehammer to monuments honoring terrorists near Yitzhar, saying authorities failed to act despite his earlier demands.

MK takes matters into his own hands, smashes terrorist monuments

'Disgraceful and shameful'

'Disgraceful and shameful' | MK Sukkot demands arrest of PA police officers

MK Tzvi Sukkot visits scene where an Israeli reservist was attacked by PA police officers, calls on defense establishment to bring those involved to justice.

'Disgraceful and shameful' | MK Sukkot demands arrest of PA police officers

A disaster for Israel:

Netanyahu warns of splintering parties on the right

Prime Minister Netanyahu urges right-wing voters not to support parties failing to pass the electoral threshold: 'You are wasting your vote. It guarantees the rise of the left, which would be a disaster for Israel.'

Netanyahu warns of splintering parties on the right

After 78 years beneath the sea: Altalena found intact

Historic ship at center of one of Israel's most painful early confrontations is located at a depth of 503 meters after months of searching.

After 78 years beneath the sea: Altalena found intact

Katz warns Hamas over Gaza kites: 'Zero tolerance'

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns Israel will respond forcefully after four kites found in Israeli territory. 'One law for balloons, kites, and drones.'

Katz warns Hamas over Gaza kites: 'Zero tolerance'

En route to vacation:

En route to vacation: Elchanan stabbed three times in terrorist attack in Jordan Valley

Elchanan, a career IDF soldier, was traveling with his pregnant wife when he stopped to buy cigarettes and was stabbed three times by a terrorist. His condition has stabilized, and he is expected to undergo surgery.

En route to vacation: Elchanan stabbed three times in terrorist attack in Jordan Valley

Jonathan Pollard joins Israel First party ahead of upcoming elections

Jonathan Pollard announces he is joining Israel First, led by MK Sharren Haskel, and will support the party in Israel’s upcoming elections.

Jonathan Pollard joins Israel First party ahead of upcoming elections

Minister Strock reveals:

Strock reveals: 'Netanyahu considered permitting prayer inside Gaza - then said no'

'20 rabbis asked Netanyahu to hold prayer inside Gaza. We are returning to the parts of the Land that we abandoned. We did it in northern Samaria, and we will do it in Gaza as well,' says Minister Orit Strock.

Strock reveals: 'Netanyahu considered permitting prayer inside Gaza - then said no'

Ben Gurion strike fallout

Ben Gurion strike fallout | Netanyahu orders removal of Airport Workers’ chief from Likud

Netanyahu’s associates furious over the move by Pinchas Idan, chairman of the Israel Airports Authority workers’ union, prompting the Prime Minister to order his removal from Likud.

Ben Gurion strike fallout | Netanyahu orders removal of Airport Workers’ chief from Likud

Smotrich to Eisenkot

Smotrich to Eisenkot: Will you commit that there will be no Palestinian state?

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Gadi Eisenkot to clarify his positions regarding interference by foreign countries, continued construction in Judea and Samaria, and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Smotrich to Eisenkot: Will you commit that there will be no Palestinian state?

Netanyahu’s warning after Ben Gurion Airport chaos

The Prime Minister addressed the surprise strike and severe disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport and made clear that the airport would operate normally.

Netanyahu’s warning after Ben Gurion Airport chaos

'Supreme Court's hands will be full of blood'

Senior official warns Supreme Court justices they will bear responsibility if the funding crisis leads to disaster at crowded holy sites during Selichot and the High Holidays.

'Supreme Court's hands will be full of blood'

Despite footage:

Despite footage: Netanyahu denies that international forces entered Gaza

Prime Minister's Office denies authorizing the International Stabilization Force to enter Gaza and reiterates that reconstruction will not begin until Hamas fully disarms.

Despite footage: Netanyahu denies that international forces entered Gaza

Jerusalem transit revolution:

Jerusalem’s Green Line brings transit revolution-with a catch for fans

Jerusalem’s Green Line begins service Friday, linking the city center to Malcha with 12 new stops, while a key stadium station stays closed during events.

Jerusalem’s Green Line brings transit revolution-with a catch for fans

Dramatic order

Ministry orders preparations to close Cave of the Patriarchs

Religious Services Ministry officials were ordered to prepare for the Cave of the Patriarchs' closure within 14 days amid a funding shortfall.

Ministry orders preparations to close Cave of the Patriarchs

Following Likud petition

Following Likud petition: Bennett ordered to remove footage of IDF soldiers from video

Justice Noam Sohlberg ruled that footage showing soldiers and an IDF artillery piece constitutes use of public assets and ordered Naftali Bennett to remove it.

Following Likud petition: Bennett ordered to remove footage of IDF soldiers from video

AG demands action

AG demands action: 80% of draft dodgers found to come from haredi community

A summary of the latest draft year finds that haredim account for about 80% of all draft evaders. The Attorney General is demanding expanded sanctions and the resumption of proactive arrests.

AG demands action: 80% of draft dodgers found to come from haredi community

Likud primaries

Likud primaries | Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana and Yariv Levin come out on top

Vote counting in the Likud primaries concludes, with results placing Eli Cohen, Yariv Levin, and Amir Ohana at the top of the board.

Likud primaries | Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana and Yariv Levin come out on top

Special:

Special: From Hamas tunnels to Jewish Gaza

Former hostage Yosef Haim Ohana visits the Gush Katif Museum and reflects on Jewish life in Gaza, his captivity, and an emotional mitzvah with his father.

Special: From Hamas tunnels to Jewish Gaza

Liberman lays out coalition red lines ahead of Israeli elections

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman sets coalition red lines, ruling out a minority government and demanding military or civilian service for all Israelis.

Liberman lays out coalition red lines ahead of Israeli elections

Miri Regev accuses

Miri Regev accuses: 'El Al decided to try to take me down'

Transportation Minister Miri Regev claims that the El Al workers’ committee is working against her in the Likud primaries.

Miri Regev accuses: 'El Al decided to try to take me down'

Likud primaries: The battle heats up, Gotliv claims missing voting slips

14,307 Likud members already exercised their right to vote in Likud primaries. Gotliv claims ballots without her name, Yoni Yosef withdraws candidacy, and Netanyahu expresses support for Osnat Zohar.

Likud primaries: The battle heats up, Gotliv claims missing voting slips

Israel Museum:

Israel Museum explains why reservists prevented from entry into museum with long weapons.

IDF reservists were asked to deposit their long weapons during a family visit to the Israel Museum, which cited museum security and international standards.

Israel Museum explains why reservists prevented from entry into museum with long weapons.

Regional police chief: 'Place Judea and Samaria Border Police under district authority'

Judea and Samaria police chief Moshe Pinchi says plan to transfer civilian law enforcement powers from IDF to police requires resources, deploying forces, and placing Judea and Samaria Border Police under the district's authority.

Regional police chief: 'Place Judea and Samaria Border Police under district authority'

Hundreds of students visit Rabbi Kook’s gravesite

Students from the Beit El Yeshiva, together with Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed and the yeshiva’s rabbis, gathered to pray at the gravesite of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook.

Hundreds of students visit Rabbi Kook’s gravesite

MK Elazar Stern resigns from Knesset

Elazar Stern informed Lapid that he will resign from the Knesset after 11 years as a Yesh Atid MK, apparently ahead of a possible run with Eisenkot's party.

MK Elazar Stern resigns from Knesset

MK Simcha Rothman:

MK Simcha Rothman: 'Reserve duty burden must be shared by more people'

Religious Zionism MK says gradual haredi enlistment could ease burden on reservists and enable more soldiers to return to their families, calls for 61-seat right-wing majority that is loyal to the national camp.

MK Simcha Rothman: 'Reserve duty burden must be shared by more people'

'Largely undoing Oslo Accords'

Details of the plan to transfer Judea and Samaria authority to police

Arutz Sheva learns plans to shift civil enforcement in Area C to police could require doubling the Judea and Samaria force to about 3,000 officers.

Details of the plan to transfer Judea and Samaria authority to police