Hezki Baruch

Hezki Baruch

Arutz Sheva political correspondent

News by Hezki Baruch

Smotrich to Netanyahu:

Smotrich to Netanyahu: 'Only the cabinet has the authority to make decisions in war'

Finance Minister sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to meet with the expanded Security Cabinet to discuss the current situation of the war.

Smotrich to Netanyahu: 'Only the cabinet has the authority to make decisions in war'

Following troop withdrawal

Government's right flank threatens Netanyahu following troop withdrawal

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir says the Prime Minister would lose his mandate to rule if he did not attack Rafah. Minister Smotrich calls urgent party meeting to show displeasure with troop withdrawal and ceasefire proposal.

Government's right flank threatens Netanyahu following troop withdrawal

UN reveals:

UN reveals: Netanyahu’s list of promises to increase aid to Gaza

Among other areas of humanitarian aid, Israel’s approves the establishment of 20 bakeries in Gaza and the reactivation of the Nahal Oz water line in northern Gaza.

UN reveals: Netanyahu’s list of promises to increase aid to Gaza

Hostages' families:

Hostage families on IDF forces leaving Gaza: 'Government has not kept its word'

The Tikva Forum, representing the hostages’ families, criticized the decision to withdraw the maneuvering forces from the Gaza Strip, "all negotiations with Hamas may collapse."

Hostage families on IDF forces leaving Gaza: 'Government has not kept its word'

Netanyahu:

Netanyahu: 'A step away from victory. Israel will not surrender’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened the Cabinet meeting and spoke of the achievements so far in the Gaza War: 'Surrendering to Hamas' demands will allow the terrorist organization to repeat the crimes of October 7th again and again, as they have promised to do.'

Netanyahu: 'A step away from victory. Israel will not surrender’

Kallner to Arbel:

Kallner to Arbel: Stop the destruction of Jewish settlement in Galilee

MK Ariel Kallner called for the Interior Minister to recognize a series of dangers posed by the proposed plan for new construction in the Galilee region.

Kallner to Arbel: Stop the destruction of Jewish settlement in Galilee

MK Succot: 'Erase Ahmad Tibi's smile'

MK Tzvi Succot presents Arab MK Ahmad Tibi's double-speak and support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and acts of terror. 'Anyone who speaks or laughs with Tibi is spitting in the faces of IDF soldiers.'

MK Succot: 'Erase Ahmad Tibi's smile'

'The Shin Bet turns a blind eye'

'The Shin Bet turns a blind eye': Politicians respond to violent protest in Jerusalem

Politicians from both the coalition and the opposition respond to the violent protest near the Prime Minister's Residence. Elkin: There is no place for harming police officers. Minister Eliyahu: The protesters are interested in persecuting Netanyahu.

'The Shin Bet turns a blind eye': Politicians respond to violent protest in Jerusalem

Police considering investigation against MK Lazimi for blocking road and lighting bonfire

The police plans to open criminal investigation against MK Lazimi, following her participation in disturbances during the demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.

Police considering investigation against MK Lazimi for blocking road and lighting bonfire

Gallant abandons meeting with Foreign Affairs Comittee

The Defense Minister left a meeting with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, who supervise the Defense Ministry, after disagreeing with their demands.

Gallant abandons meeting with Foreign Affairs Comittee

Smotrich:

Smotrich: 'Invade Rafah with or without American consent'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims that invading Rafah must be done regardless of US support.

Smotrich: 'Invade Rafah with or without American consent'

Sa'ar proposes: Elections in January 2025

MK Gideon Sa'ar explained the importance of going to elections against the background of the ongoing war: "Israel needs not only a soul-searching but also repair, rejuvenation, and hope."

Sa'ar proposes: Elections in January 2025

Yair Lapid opposes Knesset recess - but is almost never present

MK Yair Lapid, head of the Knesset's opposition, is demanding that the Knesset not break for spring recess - but he himself is one of the most absent members of the parliament.

Yair Lapid opposes Knesset recess - but is almost never present

UNRWA Jerusalem offices

Outside UNRWA's Jerusalem offices: 'UNRWA's school of abduction and incitement'

The Im Tirtzu movement set up a display depicting Israeli hostages in a classroom in front of a UNRWA teacher.

Outside UNRWA's Jerusalem offices: 'UNRWA's school of abduction and incitement'

Right-wing MK to far-left activists: 'You just don’t get it!'

Tzvi Succot confronted extreme left-wing activists who were touring the Jordan Valley. "An absurd event, anarchists harassing those who saved them.”

Right-wing MK to far-left activists: 'You just don’t get it!'

Ramadan:

Ramadan: Temple Mount closed to Jews

For the third consecutive year, no Jews at all will be allowed to visit the Temple Mount during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Ramadan: Temple Mount closed to Jews

Closed to Jews:

Closed to Jews: Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir clash over Temple Mount policy

The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, expressed sharp criticism of the closure of the Temple Mount to Jews during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Closed to Jews:  Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir clash over Temple Mount policy

Parents of kidnapped soldiers:

Parents of kidnapped soldiers: Netanyahu didn't tell us anything new

Parents of kidnapped soldiers after their first meeting with the Prime Minister: Netanyahu is preoccupied with military security - not with civil security.

Parents of kidnapped soldiers: Netanyahu didn't tell us anything new

Yesh Atid primaries:

Yesh Atid primaries: Lapid re-elected as chairman, but not by a wide margin

Lapid wins the support of 52.5% of those with the right to vote in the primaries for the party leadership, but his opponent, MK Ram Ben Barak, scores significant achievement by garnering 47.5% of the votes.

Yesh Atid primaries: Lapid re-elected as chairman, but not by a wide margin

Interim order:

Interim order: Supreme Court freezes funds to haredim eligible for enlistment

Supreme Court freezes support for yeshiva students eligible for enlistment, claims it issued order 'in light of Attorney General's position.'

Interim order: Supreme Court freezes funds to haredim eligible for enlistment

A-G to Supreme Court:

Dramatic response | A-G to Supreme Court: Yeshiva students should be drafted to the army

Attorney General provides response to Supreme Court contrary to the government's position, says preparations must be made immediately to draft yeshiva students and end the funding for those who do not enlist.

Dramatic response | A-G to Supreme Court: Yeshiva students should be drafted to the army

Opposition leader Yair Lapid becomes a grandfather

Daughter born to eldest son of former PM, Yesh Atid leader.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid becomes a grandfather

Hostage family members block entrance to UNRWA offices in Jerusalem

Hostage family members and activists block entrance to UNRWA offices in Jerusalem, claiming: 'You know where they are, bring them home.'

Hostage family members block entrance to UNRWA offices in Jerusalem

Protest in Tel Aviv:

Protest in Tel Aviv: Four protesters arrested on Ayalon Highway

Protesters, including relatives of hostages, block traffic on Ayalon Highway as they call for the release of the hostages. Police open the road and arrested four protesters.

Protest in Tel Aviv: Four protesters arrested on Ayalon Highway

Draft law:

Draft law: Haredi party threatens to leave government

Sources negotiating the Draft Law said on Wednesday evening that United Torah Judaism had raised the threat of secession and demanded the removal of the threat of economic sanctions and quotas.

Draft law: Haredi party threatens to leave government

Jerusalem

United on Purim Procession through streets of Jerusalem

United on Purim Procession was held in the shadows of the war, led by the hostages’ families and Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion.

United on Purim Procession through streets of Jerusalem

Photo essay:

Photo essay: Jerusalem celebrates Purim

The streets of Jerusalem were especially festive on Monday in honor of Purim, per Jewish law, celebrated a day later than most of the world. Arutz Sheva is out in the capital capturing the joy.

Photo essay: Jerusalem celebrates Purim

Evacuees from North and South: ‘We must still celebrate Purim’

After five months away from home, residents of Kiryat Shmona and Sderot, evacuated to Jerusalem, find it difficult to celebrate Purim in the shadow of war and longing for their homes.

Evacuees from North and South: ‘We must still celebrate Purim’

MK to South African Rep.

MK to South African Rep.: ‘You support terrorism and defend Hamas' crimes’

Terse confrontation at Inter-Parliamentary Union conference between MK Danon and South African representative who expressed concern over the situation in Gaza.

MK to South African Rep.: ‘You support terrorism and defend Hamas' crimes’

Watch:

Pres. Herzog reads Purim megilla in Jerusalem - with evacuees

Pres. Isaac Herzog attends reading of Megillat Esther at the 'theater' hotel in Jerusalem, along with evacuees from Kiryat Shmona and Sderot.

Pres. Herzog reads Purim megilla in Jerusalem - with evacuees

'Completely Crazy':

Border Police uproot trees in Judean town

MK Simcha Rothman denounced the operation, saying 'we have gone completely crazy.'

Border Police uproot trees in Judean town

'Close the branch of Hamas'

Protesters block UNRWA offices in Jerusalem: 'Close the branch of Hamas'

Dozens of protesters from the Tzav 9 organization block UNRWA's offices in Jerusalem, call on Israeli government to bring back hostages. 'UNRWA is the root of Hamas, we are at war against them.'

Protesters block UNRWA offices in Jerusalem: 'Close the branch of Hamas'

Coming soon:

Request passports and ID’s (te’udot zehut) online

Knesset plenum approved the Interior Minister's proposal to allow citizens to submit online requests for biometric passports.

Request passports and ID’s (te’udot zehut) online

Defense Ministry opposes terrorism compensation law

The Ministry of Defense submitted a reservation against a law that will enable terror victims from suing the terrorists and their senders, because it might: ‘harm the Palestinian Authority.’

Defense Ministry opposes terrorism compensation law

Final Approval:

Final Approval: Annual day of commemoration for orphans' families in Israel

According to the bill an annual day of commemoration will be held on 25 Kislev for the families of orphans and marked by a special session in Knesset plenum and some of its committees.

Final Approval: Annual day of commemoration for orphans' families in Israel

Test-run for Palestinian workers? Foreign Affairs and Def. Com: ‘don't repeat mistake’

Likud outraged by PM’s remarks that a test-run was being held to bring back Palestinian workers to Israel. Netanyahu’s advisors claimed that this was only a one-time plan.

Test-run for Palestinian workers?  Foreign Affairs and Def. Com: ‘don't repeat mistake’

Report:

Netanyahu: US attacks focus on me because I won't allow Palestinian state

'If I'd speak about two countries for two nations and give up on an attack on Rafah, I would have a great relationship with the Americans,' PM Netanyahu says.

Netanyahu: US attacks focus on me because I won't allow Palestinian state

Coalition MKs amend law to shut down Al Jazeera in Israel

MKs from the coalition change a government bill to shutter Al Jazeera in Israel. 'Unprecedented and important.'

Coalition MKs amend law to shut down Al Jazeera in Israel

Ben Gvir mocks Lapid:

Ben Gvir mocks Lapid: To which Lapid am I responding?

Minister Ben Gvir dedicates an entire speech in the Knesset plenum to opposition leader Yair Lapid, mocks the fact that he makes contradictory statements.

Ben Gvir mocks Lapid: To which Lapid am I responding?

Unanimous vote

Unanimous vote | National Day of Remembrance for October 7th Massacre

The government unanimously approved a National Day of Remembrance to be held on the 24th of Tishrei, to commemorate the October 7th massacre and the Sword of Iron War.

Unanimous vote | National Day of Remembrance for October 7th Massacre