Hezki Baruch

Hezki Baruch

Arutz Sheva political correspondent

News by Hezki Baruch

Finance Min. to PM:

Finance Min. to PM: Don't block plan to lower cost of living in Israel

Finance Min. Smotrich pens letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, demanding PM keep agreement to use confiscated terror funds to lower cost of living for Israelis.

Finance Min. to PM: Don't block plan to lower cost of living in Israel

Over a protest

UNRWA chief blasts Deputy Jerusalem Mayor over a protest

UNRWA Director-General blasts Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Arieh King for a demonstration outside the organization's offices in Jerusalem. King responds: There is no better feeling than that.

UNRWA chief blasts Deputy Jerusalem Mayor over a protest

Gantz:

Gantz: The operation in Rafah - part of the effort to return the hostages

National Unity chairman tells the families of the hostages that the response from Hamas "does not correspond to the dialogue that has taken place so far with the mediators and contains significant gaps".

Gantz: The operation in Rafah - part of the effort to return the hostages

Yair Lapid:

Yair Lapid: Our life is not the massacre, but our response to it

Opposition leader speaks at Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony at Yad Mordechai: The survivors taught us that you can always start over.

Yair Lapid: Our life is not the massacre, but our response to it

Religious Affairs Ministry issues unusual order

'Don't employ, cooperate with ZAKA Tel Aviv - they leaked information,' Religious Affairs Ministry Director General orders.

Religious Affairs Ministry issues unusual order

Are Israel and Hamas nearing a deal?

Senior sources say Israeli delegation will set out 'only if there is a response from Hamas that shows there is potential for negotiations.'

Are Israel and Hamas nearing a deal?

Smotrich to Netanyahu:

Smotrich to Netanyahu: Government freezing construction permits in Judea, Samaria

De facto freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria 'unacceptable,' offers prize to October 7 terrorists, Minister Bezalel Smotrich argues.

Smotrich to Netanyahu: Government freezing construction permits in Judea, Samaria

State to Supreme Court:

State to Supreme Court: ‘Planning underway for immediate enlistment of haredim’

State responded to Supreme Court on recruitment of haredim: ‘Authorities are formulating a plan for gradual recruitment of haredim.’

State to Supreme Court: ‘Planning underway for immediate enlistment of haredim’

Poll: Smotrich gaining strength, Sa’ar losing support

The Religious Zionism party is continuing to grow stronger. Gideon Sa'ar's party is weakening and does not pass the electoral threshold. Ben Gvir increases to ten seats.

Poll: Smotrich gaining strength, Sa’ar losing support

Finance Minister:

Smotrich: 'Accepting deal is accepting Sinwar's plan for Hamas victory'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented on the proposed deal for the release of the hostages and said that it was ‘Yahya Sinwar’s plan for victory.’

Smotrich: 'Accepting deal is accepting Sinwar's plan for Hamas victory'

Minister Gantz's red line

Minister Gantz draws a red line: 'Deal for returning the hostages without ending the war'

Minister Gantz warns: ‘If the ministers who led the government on Oct. 7 prevent a responsible deal that does not involve ending the war, the government will have no right to exist’

Minister Gantz draws a red line: 'Deal for returning the hostages without ending the war'

Min. Chikli: I'll oppose a deal, we can't stop the war

Diaspora Min. Amichai Chikli promises to oppose the proposed prisoner swap deal, which includes a complete cessation of the war against Hamas.

Min. Chikli: I'll oppose a deal, we can't stop the war

Minister Zohar:

Minister Zohar: Cabinet decision is unacceptable

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar blasts Cabinet decision to allow imprisoned Hamas Nukhba terrorists, who carried out the October 7 massacre, to receive humanitarian visits.

Minister Zohar: Cabinet decision is unacceptable

Israeli official:

Israeli official: As far as Israel is concerned, the offer is for 33 hostages

Israeli official comments on reports that the latest offer to Hamas involves the release of only 20 hostages.

Israeli official: As far as Israel is concerned, the offer is for 33 hostages

Ben-Gvir opposes visits to captured Hamas terrorists

Minister Ben-Gvir to the Prime Minister: 'The British probably did not internalize that the mandate has ended - their demand for an inspector's visit is an infringement on state sovereignty'.

Ben-Gvir opposes visits to captured Hamas terrorists

Hostages' families:

Hostages' families: Govt. must stop dawdling, start pressuring Hamas

Tikva Forum reacts to Hamas video showing Hersh Goldberg-Polin, says 'there are many pressure levers for the return of the hostages that have not been used.'

Hostages' families: Govt. must stop dawdling, start pressuring Hamas

Ben-Gvir considering:

Ben-Gvir considering: Israeli-backed security response teams for diaspora Jews

The National Security Minister asked the Police Commissioner to draft a plan to create emergency security response squads to protect Jewish institutions outside of Israel. 'Our Jewish, national, and moral obligation.'

Ben-Gvir considering: Israeli-backed security response teams for diaspora Jews

Minister for Social Equality:

Minister for Social Equality: 'UN an antisemitic, extremist and dangerous institution'

Minister for Social Equality and Advancement of Status of Women, May Golan: 'UN has become an antisemitic, extremist and dangerous institution that regards Israel as an enemy state and the sick Nazis in Hamas as natural partners.’

Minister for Social Equality: 'UN an antisemitic, extremist and dangerous institution'

Footage from Jerusalem attack:

Footage from Jerusalem attack: Terrorists ram, draw weapons, but don't manage to fire

Security camera footage shows two terrorists speeding towards a group of people, ramming, and then exiting their vehicle with weapons.

Footage from Jerusalem attack: Terrorists ram, draw weapons, but don't manage to fire

The sanctions on 'Netzach Yehuda'

The sanctions on 'Netzach Yehuda': Lapid accused, but forgot one detail

Lapid addressed the sanctions the US is expected to impose on 'Netzach Yehuda' and blamed the ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for responsibility. Online, they reminded him of a detail he forgot on the subject

The sanctions on 'Netzach Yehuda': Lapid accused, but forgot one detail

Labor leader in favor of sanctions: "Dismantle Netzach Yehuda"

MK Merav Michaeli denounced 'Netzach Yehuda' as a 'battalion of 'hilltop youth who see religion as an excuse to attack Arabs'.

Labor leader in favor of sanctions: "Dismantle Netzach Yehuda"

For the first time since Hamas's response:

For the first time since Hamas's response: War Cabinet will discuss the hostage deal

At the request of Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, the cabinet will convene to discuss the deadlock reached in the deal after Hamas's response to the mediators' proposal.

For the first time since Hamas's response: War Cabinet will discuss the hostage deal

Under the radar:

Under the radar: Israel's government begins normalizing 68 towns in Judea and Samaria

Min. Smotrich hands government offices a document requesting to advance normalization of 68 communities in Judea and Samaria.

Under the radar: Israel's government begins normalizing 68 towns in Judea and Samaria

Pres. Herzog: This year, the seder night will be different

Israel's Pres. Herzog asks Israelis to leave an empty chair by their seder table, in support and recognition of the bereaved families and families of hostages.

Pres. Herzog: This year, the seder night will be different

'Victory is getting further away'

Ben Gvir calls for War Cabinet to be disbanded: Victory is getting further away

National Security Minister blasts the conduct of the War Cabinet, demands it be disbanded.

Ben Gvir calls for War Cabinet to be disbanded: Victory is getting further away

Huge victory for Ad Kan:

Huge victory for "Ad Kan": Igatha 48 to be shut down due to suspicion of financing terror

Igatha 48 was notified and given an opportunity to respond to concern of its collaboration with terrorist organizations. Minister Bezalel Smotrich: We warned of UAL’s connection to the nonprofit.

Huge victory for "Ad Kan": Igatha 48 to be shut down due to suspicion of financing terror

Survivor claims: Nearly 50 survivors of Nova massacre have committed suicide

Many survivors of the Nova music festival massacre are forcibly admitted to psychiatric wards; other survivors demand: 'Why do we need to prove and explain more in order to receive help?'

Survivor claims: Nearly 50 survivors of Nova massacre have committed suicide

Opposition leader:

Opposition leader: "First Philadelphi Corridor and agreement with Egyptians – then Rafah"

Asked by Arutz Sheva whether Israel should enter Rafah, opposition leader Yair Lapid replied, 'Four of the weakest Hamas battalions are in Rafah and we will have to deal with them, but it is a long process.'

Opposition leader: "First Philadelphi Corridor and agreement with Egyptians – then Rafah"

Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir demand retaliation against Iran

Minister Ben Gvir called for a strong response to Iran’s attack: 'The concept of proportionality passed from the world on October 7th. In order to create deterrence in the Middle East – we must initiate a full-blown response.'

Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir demand retaliation against Iran

PM Netanyahu: We're prepared for every scenario

'Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively,' PM Netanyahu says.

PM Netanyahu: We're prepared for every scenario

President Macron:

President Macron: 'We warned Iran not to attack Israel'

Knesset Speaker Ohana told President Macron: 'There is no scenario in which Israel will not deal with the Hamas brigades in Rafah, the proposals to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state are a victory for terror.'

President Macron:  'We warned Iran not to attack Israel'

Dozens of haredim trained to protect Judea and Samaria towns

The group completed Rifleman 03-level basic training and will join emergency security squads and partake in the security in haredi towns in Judea and Samaria.

Dozens of haredim trained to protect Judea and Samaria towns

MK Rothman:

MK Rothman: 'No connection between the reform and the massacre'

MK Simcha Rotman talked in an interview about his shock from October 7th, the assistance he provided in identifying the deceased, and the claims that the divide around the reform led to the massacre.

MK Rothman: 'No connection between the reform and the massacre'

Min. Smotrich preventing uprooting of trees in Jewish town

Regulation Administration, founded by Min. Smotrich, preventing trees in Nokdim from being uprooted; IDF Chief of Staff orders project to wait.

Min. Smotrich preventing uprooting of trees in Jewish town

Minister Gantz:

Minister Gantz: 'Youth in middle school will one day fight in the Gaza Strip'

Minister Benny Gantz addressed the media and said that Israel will continue to fight in Gaza: 'We will go into Rafah, we will return to Khan Yunis, and we will operate in Gaza.'

Minister Gantz: 'Youth in middle school will one day fight in the Gaza Strip'

Author Douglas Murray honored by Israeli President

Douglas Murray, author and journalist, receives special award from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, for his efforts to support Israel following the outbreak of the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Author Douglas Murray honored by Israeli President

Minister Strock:

Minister Strock: ‘Now is the time for us all to pray for the return of the hostages’

A prayer for the return of the hostages was held at Rachel's Tomb. Shai Wenkert, father of Omer, who was taken hostage in Gaza: "Together we win, together we return the hostages."

Minister Strock: ‘Now is the time for us all to pray for the return of the hostages’

Terrorist

Terrorist? Amnesty calls terrorist who kidnapped, murdered soldier an 'author'

A demand to speed up the process of denying government funding to Amnesty International, that tweeted about the death of terrorist Walid Deka without mentioning that he was a terrorist.

Terrorist? Amnesty calls terrorist who kidnapped, murdered soldier an 'author'

Ahead of hostage release deal

Likud members demand Netanyahu hold a discussion ahead of hostage release deal

Seven members of Knesset from the Likud write letter to Netanyahu in which they demand that he hold a discussion in preparation for a hostage release deal.

Likud members demand Netanyahu hold a discussion ahead of hostage release deal

'Prime Minister, don't stop'

Sderot Mayor opposes end of military maneuver: Prime Minister, don't stop

Alon Davidi, the mayor of Sderot, criticizes end of the maneuver phase in the Gaza Strip: Have the goals of the war been achieved?

Sderot Mayor opposes end of military maneuver: Prime Minister, don't stop