Hezki Baruch

Hezki Baruch

Arutz Sheva political correspondent

News by Hezki Baruch

Minister Miki Zohar:

Minister Miki Zohar: Military control of Gaza will result in hundreds of casualties

Culture and Sports Minister urges fellow Likud lawmakers to think twice before calling for Israeli military control of the Gaza Strip after the war.

Minister Miki Zohar: Military control of Gaza will result in hundreds of casualties

Mother of hostage:

'No time for waiting around'

Einav Zangauker, mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker said to Minister Gallant: 'Matan was kidnapped alive, he is still alive now, but you want to abandon him to die.'

'No time for waiting around'

Shouting match in Likud meeting

Fellow members of the Likud denounced Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for not doing his job correctly.

Shouting match in Likud meeting

Gantz's ultimatum for the Prime Minister

Blue and White leader Minister Benny Gantz has set an ultimatum for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding that he create a strategic plan after the war is war.

Gantz's ultimatum for the Prime Minister

Until Erdoğan's rule ends

Import tax rate on Turkish goods to be raised to 100% until Erdoğan's rule ends

The decision by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich come in response to Erdoğan's decision to stop all Turkish exports to Israel, in violation of the free trade agreement between the countries.

Import tax rate on Turkish goods to be raised to 100% until Erdoğan's rule ends

Defense Min. on the Gaza border:

Defense Minister: Additional forces will join the operation in Rafah

'A number of tunnels in the area have already been destroyed – Hamas’ faucets are being shut,' Defense Min. Yoav Gallant says during visit to Rafah.

Defense Minister: Additional forces will join the operation in Rafah

Gush Etzion:

Arabs uprooted an orchard; the residents planted anew

Arabs from Za'atara uprooted an orchard near the settlement of Nokdim. The locals replanted there on Yom Ha'atzmaut with Israeli flags and a singing of Hatikvah.

Arabs uprooted an orchard; the residents planted anew

PM Netanyahu revives Draft Law submitted by MK Gantz during the previous Knesset

PM Netanyahu revives Draft Law approved in first Knesset reading in January 2022, calls on all parties which supported it then to stand behind it now as well.

PM Netanyahu revives Draft Law submitted by MK Gantz during the previous Knesset

Tel Aviv University:

Anti Anti-Israel protest against students celebrating Nakba Day

Dozens came to protest against students celebrating Nakba Day and wore kaffias. The police separated the two groups. MK Almog Cohen was attacked and called a “Nothing.”

Anti Anti-Israel protest against students celebrating Nakba Day

Netanyahu on UN resolution:

PM on UN resolution: ‘We will not give a reward for Oct. 7 massacre’

Israeli government rejected UN decision to upgrade Palestinian Authority’s status. Netanyahu attacked: "We will not give a reward for Oct. 7 massacre. We will not let them establish a terrorist state."

PM on UN resolution: ‘We will not give a reward for Oct. 7 massacre’

Ben Gvir:

Minister Ben Gvir: 'They want us to send food to Gaza? Then give us Ariel and Kfir Bibas’

Ben Gvir joined the marchers in Sderot who demanded the resettling of the Gaza Strip and added that, ‘We must encourage the residents of Gaza to voluntarily leave.’

Minister Ben Gvir: 'They want us to send food to Gaza? Then give us  Ariel and Kfir Bibas’

US calls for action

Truck carrying aid to Gaza set on fire, US calls on Israel to take action

Protesters who blocked the trucks unload the supplies and throw them on the road. Two protesters detained and removed from the scene by the police.

Truck carrying aid to Gaza set on fire, US calls on Israel to take action

Knesset Speaker:

Knesset Speaker: The generation of the 2023/4 war has proven its true strength

Speaker Amir Ohana, to 120 outstanding female and male soldiers: ‘This is a generation that has not fallen short of any generation that came before it.’

Knesset Speaker: The generation of the 2023/4 war has proven its true strength

President’s House Project:

President’s House Project: Commemorating memories of the fallen and murdered in the war

President Isaac Herzog launched an emotional project in memory of the fallen and murdered in the Swords of Iron War.

President’s House Project: Commemorating memories of the fallen and murdered in the war

Cabinet meeting

Cabinet meeting | Ministers mocked Ben-Gvir's tweet, Netanyahu laughed

Ministers mocked Ben-Gvir's post in which he attacked President Biden. Ben-Gvir: 'There should be more Tweets like that, I expect you all to join me.'

Cabinet meeting | Ministers mocked Ben-Gvir's tweet, Netanyahu laughed

Israeli source:

Israeli source: Rafah will be conquered - even without US assistance

Senior Israeli source warns Hezbollah, Iran, benefit from US Pres. Biden's decision not to provide Israel with weapons, stresses: 'Biden has made a grave mistake - both ethically and politically.'

Israeli source: Rafah will be conquered - even without US assistance

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