Hezki Baruch

Hezki Baruch

Arutz Sheva political correspondent

News by Hezki Baruch

Smotrich meets Bessent: 'We have true friends in Washington'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, thanking the Trump administration and discussing Gaza disarmament and expanding the Abraham Accords.

Smotrich meets Bessent: 'We have true friends in Washington'

Egged under fire for map reading 'West Bank'

New Egged app labels Judea and Samaria as ‘West Bank’; rights group demands correction.

Egged under fire for map reading 'West Bank'

Will the haredim boycott?

Coalition to advance bill to split AG's position

'Passing this bill is first and foremost in the interests of the haredim, no one suffers from the Attorney General more than them,' coalition source says.

Coalition to advance bill to split AG's position

Watch:

Watch: Uriel Baruch laid to rest

Uriel Baruch laid to rest after his body was returned to Israel in the hostage deal.

Watch: Uriel Baruch laid to rest

Armed PA police spotted near Israeli town

Palestinian security forces entered the region of the Israeli town of Adam this evening after a mistake in coordination with the IDF.

Armed PA police spotted near Israeli town

Violence in south:

MKs Almog Cohen and Tzvi Succot attacked in Bir Hadaj and refuse to evacuate

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen and MK Zvi Succot were attacked today by residents of Bir Hadaj in the Negev, following drone smuggling on the Egyptian border, but continued the tour to its end

MKs Almog Cohen and Tzvi Succot attacked in Bir Hadaj and refuse to evacuate

After disrupting Trump:

Following disruption of Trump’s speech: Call for action against MKs Cassif and Odeh

After the disruption of US President Donald Trump’s address in the Knesset, B’Tsalmo files a complaint with the Ethics Committee, demanding sanctions against MKs Cassif and Odeh.

Following disruption of Trump’s speech: Call for action against MKs Cassif and Odeh

First publication:

Netanyahu takes action on drone threat from Egypt

Security forces succeed in shooting down only about half the weapons-smuggling drones infiltrating the Egypt-Israel border, sources say.

Netanyahu takes action on drone threat from Egypt

Eisenkot to Arutz Sheva:

Gadi Eisenkot to Arutz Sheva: A difficult deal made from a place of strength

Former MK Eisenkot at an event in memory of his son: "I see this deal as a dilemma, but it was made from the strength of Israel."

Gadi Eisenkot to Arutz Sheva: A difficult deal made from a place of strength

'No need to celebrate'

'No need to celebrate': MK Halevi will not attend Trump’s Knesset speech

MK Amit Halevi says he will not attend the US President’s speech at the Knesset. “The agreement is not a victory. We must acknowledge the pain and learn lessons.”

'No need to celebrate': MK Halevi will not attend Trump’s Knesset speech

Ben-Gurion Airport prepares for Trump

The Israel Airports Authority is preparing for the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump. Passengers on Monday are advised to travel to the airport by Israel Railways, which will operate enhanced service.

Ben-Gurion Airport prepares for Trump

Exclusive:

Exclusive: Ben-Gvir orders cancellation of PA conference in Jerusalem

The Minister of National Security signed an order prohibiting the conference planned to take place in Wadi Joz.

Exclusive: Ben-Gvir orders cancellation of PA conference in Jerusalem

During talks with Hamas

During talks with Hamas: Netanyahu's commitment to bereaved families on the war

Members of the Hagvura Forum board met with the Prime Minister and urged him not to end the war without meeting all the goals and before Hamas is completely defeated.

During talks with Hamas: Netanyahu's commitment to bereaved families on the war

Ben Gvir opposes deal: We will not accept Hamas

Minister of National Security to oppose hostage deal over release of hundreds of terrorist murderers. In meeting with Prime Minister, he will draw a red line.

Ben Gvir opposes deal: We will not accept Hamas

50 Arabs attack Jews near Carmel in Southern Hebron Hills; Four injured

Around 50 Arabs violently attacked six Jews near Carmel in the Southern Hebron Hills. Four Jews were hospitalized with head injuries; IDF forces restored order and made arrests.

50 Arabs attack Jews near Carmel in Southern Hebron Hills; Four injured

Watch:

Watch: Injured soldier pulls off prosthetic leg in statement to Netanyahu

Injured IDF soldier Ophir Engelsman demands War against Hamas continue to victory. 'We were not wounded in vain; we did not lose limbs — arms, legs — for us to go and surrender to the enemy.'

Watch: Injured soldier pulls off prosthetic leg in statement to Netanyahu

Watch:

Watch: Captivity survivor Eliya Cohen sings Psalm 121

Shortly after the terrorist who commanded the attack on the shelter from which he was abducted was eliminated, Eliya Cohen sang the moving Psalm with Israeli singer Yonatan Razel.

Watch: Captivity survivor Eliya Cohen sings Psalm 121

Yehoshua Shani to Netanyahu:

Yehoshua Shani to Netanyahu: 'Don't compromise or yield to Trump'

Gevura Forum chairman Yehoshua Shani calls on Prime Minister Netanyahu not to yield to American pressure for a deal that would harm Israel's interests.

Yehoshua Shani to Netanyahu: 'Don't compromise or yield to Trump'

Ben Gvir to Netanyahu:

Ben Gvir to Netanyahu: You have no mandate to end the war without defeating Hamas

National Security Minister Ben Gvir in a post on X after Shabbat: “Mr. Prime Minister, you have no mandate to end the war without a complete defeat of Hamas.”

Ben Gvir to Netanyahu: You have no mandate to end the war without defeating Hamas

Judea, Samaria leaders head to US:

Yesha Council delegation heads to US: Netanyahu must make a historic decision

An unprecedentedly large emergency delegation departs for New York to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu ahead of his meeting with President Trump.

Yesha Council delegation heads to US: Netanyahu must make a historic decision

Opposition leaders:

Opposition leaders: We expect Benny Gantz, Naftali Bennett, to join us

At a meeting comprised of opposition party leaders, plans are made to create permanent forum, plan for next government.

Opposition leaders: We expect Benny Gantz, Naftali Bennett, to join us

Escalation in Judea and Samaria:

Escalation in Judea and Samaria: Dozens of rockets found in Ramallah, terror cell arrested

Security forces conduct Ramallah-area raid, arresting terror cell which produced rockets intended for use against Judea and Samaria communities.

Escalation in Judea and Samaria: Dozens of rockets found in Ramallah, terror cell arrested

Over 1,000 housing units approved in Judea and Samaria

Hundreds of housing units and a new industrial zone in settlements were approved, and the Supreme Planning Council has advanced over 25,000 units since the start of the year.

Over 1,000 housing units approved in Judea and Samaria

Religious Zionist party cancels party primaries

Temporary provision to pass responsibility for choosing candidates to 150-member forum instead of party-wide elections. Smotrich to remain chairman, guaranteed spots on list.

Religious Zionist party cancels party primaries

Be'er Sheva residents prevent incitement display

A demonstration planned by far-left groups in central Be'er Sheva was canceled after right-wing activists published its location.

Be'er Sheva residents prevent incitement display

Smotrich planning to cancel party primaries

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to bring proposal to kill party members' ability to choose representatives, hand control to a small forum instead.

Smotrich planning to cancel party primaries

MK Saada to Arutz Sheva:

MK Moshe Saada to Arutz Sheva: Destroy Hamas, don’t stop halfway

MK Moshe Saada insists a ceasefire is only justified if all hostages return and slams aid transfers that he says strengthen Hamas.

MK Moshe Saada to Arutz Sheva: Destroy Hamas, don’t stop halfway

MK Sukkot:

MK Sukkot: 'Airborne smuggling of weapons on Egyptian border - an existential threat'

During a tour of the Paran Brigade, MK Zvi Sukkot warned about hundreds of smuggling operations of armed drones every month and called for an appropriate response to the threat.

MK Sukkot: 'Airborne smuggling of weapons on Egyptian border - an existential threat'

Security concern:

Security concern: Rocket located recently near Route 443

A rocket was detected in the village of Niama near Route 443. Palestinian security forces arrested the terrorists but have not yet handed them over to the IDF.

Security concern: Rocket located recently near Route 443

Jerusalem:

Jerusalem: Swastikas drawn on religious youth movement headquarters

Swastikas and anti-Bnei Akiva graffiti were discovered on the movement’s Jerusalem HQ. Deputy Mayor Arieh King demanded police action, linking it to last week’s Ramot terror attack.

Jerusalem: Swastikas drawn on religious youth movement headquarters

Tel Aviv outrage:

Tel Aviv Storm: Police announcement sparks criticism from community leaders

Tel Aviv community leaders strongly attack police announcement that special requests must be submitted for approval of 'sensitive prayers' over the High Holidays, 'Mayor Huldai has pushed Tel Aviv to the extreme.'

Tel Aviv Storm: Police announcement sparks criticism from community leaders

Police commissioner, Ben-Gvir tout cooperation at toast

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Daniel Levi dismissed reports of tensions between them at a shared Rosh Hashana toast.

Police commissioner, Ben-Gvir tout cooperation at toast

32 years later:

32 years later: The bill that will undo the Oslo Accords

MK Tzvi Succot's new bill seeks to grant the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee the power to determine if an agreement is being violated and to annul it.

32 years later: The bill that will undo the Oslo Accords

Ministers criticize AG

Ministers criticize AG: 'Next political assassination only a matter of time'

During the government’s ceremonial meeting marking 50 years of the YAMAM unit, ministers—including the Prime Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Yoav Kisch—attacked the Attorney General.

Ministers criticize AG: 'Next political assassination only a matter of time'

Netanyahu hints: Attempt on Hamas leaders in Doha failed

Following strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hints at strike's failure, writing that 'getting rid of' Hamas leaders will remove 'main obstacle' to ending war, freeing hostages.

Netanyahu hints: Attempt on Hamas leaders in Doha failed

Terrorist neutralized using a belt and chair

Off-duty police officer and civilians who were guests at a hotel in Tzuba recount how they worked together to neutralize a terrorist who began stabbing guests.

Terrorist neutralized using a belt and chair

Footage from court:

In court: Younger brother of man suspected of harming terrorist bursts into tears

Supreme Court holds hearing on Saar Ofir, who has been held for nine months without trial on suspicions of harming a terrorist.

In court: Younger brother of man suspected of harming terrorist bursts into tears

'The great loss hasn't set in'

Jerusalem attack victim Sarah Mendelson is laid to rest

Hundreds gathered in Jerusalem to mourn Sarah Mendelson, Bnei Akiva staff member murdered in Jerusalem terror attack. Family and friends celebrated her life and leadership in a moving funeral.

Jerusalem attack victim Sarah Mendelson is laid to rest

Minister Ben Gvir:

Minister Ben Gvir: 'Easing conditions for terrorists increases terror'

Minister of National Security praises those who neutralized the terrorists in the Ramot Junction attack, 'Have your weapons on you at all times, this saved lives today.'

Minister Ben Gvir: 'Easing conditions for terrorists increases terror'

MDA Jerusalem Director:

MDA Jerusalem Director: 'Scene was very difficult, it was hard to reach there'

Magen David Adom Regional Director, Uri Shaham, spoke with Israel National News at the scene of the terrorist attack in the capital and described the first moments after receiving the news of the shooting.

MDA Jerusalem Director: 'Scene was very difficult, it was hard to reach there'