Hezki Baruch

Hezki Baruch

Arutz Sheva political correspondent

News by Hezki Baruch

'Zero'

'Zero:' Confrontation during debate on terrorists' conditions

During hearing on left-wing petition to improve the conditions of terrorists, one of the attendees shouted "Zero" at Minister Ben Gvir.

'Zero:' Confrontation during debate on terrorists' conditions

Watch Live:

Watch Live: Moshe Zar laid to rest

Moshe Zar, who passed away at 88, was a noted figure in the purchase of land in Judea and Samaria and a veteran of Israel's special forces.

Watch Live: Moshe Zar laid to rest

MK Tzvi Succot compensated for unlawful police confiscation of firearm

MK Tzvi Succot (Religious Zionism) awarded NIS 7,500 in a legal settlement after police unlawfully confiscated his personal firearm during a 2022 protest action in the Negev.

MK Tzvi Succot compensated for unlawful police confiscation of firearm

Former MK:

Former MK: 'We should bulldoze the Supreme Court President'

Former Knesset member Moti Yogev sharply criticized the behavior of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General in the hearing regarding the appointment of David Zini to lead the ISA.

Former MK: 'We should bulldoze the Supreme Court President'

Deputy Minister resigns over airport bill

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen notified Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his resignation from the government to promote a bill for an airport in the Negev as an MK.

Deputy Minister resigns over airport bill

Aunt of murdered hostage:

Aunt of murdered hostage Inbar Hayman: We must reach a deal to bring everyone back

Hana Cohen, aunt of Inbar Hayman - murdered by Hamas and whose body is held in Gaza - calls on the government in an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News to advance a comprehensive deal for the return of all hostages, both living and dead.

Aunt of murdered hostage Inbar Hayman: We must reach a deal to bring everyone back

MK Moshe Solomon:

MK Moshe Solomon: Iran lacks nuclear capability

Behind the scenes of the surprising agreement between Israel and Iran: What was Iran planning, how was its nuclear race halted, and what is the connection to the ousting of Ayman Odeh?

MK Moshe Solomon: Iran lacks nuclear capability

Defense Minister:

Defense Minister: 'Iran planned a surprise attack, we preempted them'

Minister Israel Katz says 'the Iranians planned to strike first and launch between 400 to 500 missiles in the opening strike,' tells Pete Hegseth Israel will respect the ceasefire if Iran does.

Defense Minister: 'Iran planned a surprise attack, we preempted them'

'In Iran you would have hanged'

Knesset meets to oust MK Ayman Odeh | 'In Iran you would have hanged'

House Committee debates ousting MK Ayman Odeh over post equating hostage and prisoner releases; heated session sees Likud MK accuse Odeh of siding with Israel’s enemies.

Knesset meets to oust MK Ayman Odeh | 'In Iran you would have hanged'

Snap Elections?:

Snap Elections?: Opposition believes Netanyahu will tout Iran at the polls

Sources in the opposition told Arutz Sheva that Prime Minister Netanyahu will likely take advantage of the security achievements against Iran to advance elections.

Snap Elections?: Opposition believes Netanyahu will tout Iran at the polls

Ness Ziona Rescue Unit:

Ness Ziona Rescue Unit: 'We rescued children from protected room, it was a huge miracle'

A member of the Ness Ziona medical rescue unit described the dramatic moments at the site of the Iranian missile strike this morning: "Fortunately, people were in protected areas."

Ness Ziona Rescue Unit: 'We rescued children from protected room, it was a huge miracle'

MK Gotliv to Arutz Sheva:

MK Tally Gotliv to Arutz Sheva: Israel is subduing Iran on its own

MK Gotliv criticizes calls to halt strikes on Iran: "We're used to defeatism, but I find it appalling."

MK Tally Gotliv to Arutz Sheva: Israel is subduing Iran on its own

MK Bismuth to Arutz Sheva:

MK Boaz Bismuth to Arutz Sheva: Exit strategy? Only after victory over Iran

Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee member MK Boaz Bismuth tells Arutz Sheva: "This war is essential - any agreement is a lie that leads to a nuclear bomb and Israel’s destruction."

MK Boaz Bismuth to Arutz Sheva: Exit strategy? Only after victory over Iran

Israeli minister visiting near Iran returned to Israel by yacht

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer was forced to cut short a visit to Azerbaijan and was evacuated under tight security through Athens, Cyprus, and finally by yacht to Israel.

Israeli minister visiting near Iran returned to Israel by yacht

Financial Warfare:

Financial Warfare: 91 million shekels transfered from PA to terror victims

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich authorized the transfer of 91 million shekels from the frozen Palestinian Authority funds in Israel to the families of terror victims.

Financial Warfare: 91 million shekels transfered from PA to terror victims

Likud MK to Arutz Sheva:

MK Kathrin Shitrit to Arutz Sheva: Elections would endanger the hostages

MK Shitrit warns that dissolving the Knesset would paralyze the political system, undermine efforts to bring the hostages home, and stall security and legislative progress.

MK Kathrin Shitrit to Arutz Sheva: Elections would endanger the hostages

Mother of slain hostage:

Mother of Inbar Haiman, whose body is held in Gaza: People often ask me, are you sure?

Yifat Haiman, mother of hostage Inbar Haiman, warns: “If we proceed in stages, my daughter could disappear. I live in total uncertainty - I don’t know her condition.”

Mother of Inbar Haiman, whose body is held in Gaza: People often ask me, are you sure?

IDF recruits 14,500 holders of draft exemption to bolster reserve forces

IDF conscripts 14,500 civilians who were previously exempt from reserve duty, aiming to ease pressure on reservists amid ongoing conflict by forming 11 new battalions set to begin service in the coming months.

IDF recruits 14,500 holders of draft exemption to bolster reserve forces

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

Smotrich: Intensify Gaza operation, now is no time for elections

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls to escalate operations in Gaza and urges coalition partners to act responsibly, warning against elections during wartime.

Smotrich: Intensify Gaza operation, now is no time for elections

Education Minister:

Education Minister announces policy to protect right to lay tefillin in schools

Education Minister Yoav Kisch reveals plans to formalize students’ right to lay tefillin in schools as part of new 'Shorashim' initiative.

Education Minister announces policy to protect right to lay tefillin in schools

Shas official:

Shas official: We don’t want elections, but Draft Law deadlock is a problem

As Knesset prepares to vote on dissolution, Shas source tells Arutz Sheva the party isn’t seeking elections, but Yuli Edelstein’s inflexibility could fracture coalition unity.

Shas official: We don’t want elections, but Draft Law deadlock is a problem

'He belongs behind bars'

MK Ofer Cassif on trial for assaulting police officer

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and MK Kroizer call for prison sentence as MK Cassif stands trial for assaulting officer during protest in closed military zone.

MK Ofer Cassif on trial for assaulting police officer

Arson in Jerusalem:

Arson in Jerusalem: 'The rabbi's prayer book remained intact'

Worshipers at the synagogue of Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef were left stunned following an arson attack that caused significant damage to the synagogue - but one item escaped damage.

Arson in Jerusalem: 'The rabbi's prayer book remained intact'

World lost a great soul:

Staff sergeant Omer Van Gelder laid to rest

Family and friends pay heartfelt tribute to Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, 22, of the Givati Brigade, who was killed in northern Gaza, remembering his selflessness, bravery, and enduring impact.

Staff sergeant Omer Van Gelder laid to rest

Haredi enlistment

MK Illouz warns: 'The serving public will turn their backs on us'

'I sincerely hope haredi parties won't bring down a right-wing government just to avoid sharing in this existential war. How will they explain this to their grandchildren? Jewish history will not forget they did this,' says MK Dan Illouz.

MK Illouz warns: 'The serving public will turn their backs on us'

Bereaved mother:

Bereaved mother: 'Unity Day shows we're on the right path; but there’s still more to do'

At a Knesset session marking a decade of Unity Day, Bat-Galim Shaer reflects on Israel’s societal challenges and progress, urging Israelis to step out of their comfort zones and embrace diverse voices for the sake of national unity.

Bereaved mother: 'Unity Day shows we're on the right path; but there’s still more to do'

US Congressmen to Arutz Sheva:

US Congressmen to Arutz Sheva: Gaza should be sovereign Israeli territory

US Reps. Andrew Clyde & Marlin Stutzman speak to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News during their Israel visit, part of a Congressional delegation. Both condemn Hamas and emphasize Israel's need for strength as well as Gaza's return to Israeli sovereignty.

US Congressmen to Arutz Sheva: Gaza should be sovereign Israeli territory

Ravid Chaim's grandmother:

Ravid Chaim's grandmother: 'I lost a daughter-in-law and a grandchild in 2 weeks'

Naomi Gez tells Arutz Sheva. 'We waited so long for this sweet baby. Unfortunately, his mother was murdered so cruelly, and he as well.'

Ravid Chaim's grandmother: 'I lost a daughter-in-law and a grandchild in 2 weeks'

Watch:

Watch: Funeral of baby Ravid Chaim

Ravid Chaim passed away at two weeks old after being delivered in an emergency procedure when his mother Tze'ela Gez was murdered in a terrorist attack.

Watch: Funeral of baby Ravid Chaim

Chaos in the plenum:

Chaos in the plenum: MK Kariv disrupts Netanyahu and is removed

MK Gilad Kariv from the Labor Party removed from the Knesset after waving a map of the kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope at the end of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech, disrupting him.

Chaos in the plenum: MK Kariv disrupts Netanyahu and is removed

Netanyahu confirms: Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated

During a heated Knesset debate initiated by the opposition, Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected claims of government failure, highlighting military gains and vowing to return all hostages while accusing rivals of undermining the war effort for political gain.

Netanyahu confirms: Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated

Bereaved husband cries out:

Bereaved husband cries out: 'I came to Israel to build a home - not to bury my wife'

Hananel Gez, husband of murdered mother Tze'ela Gez, leads protest in Jerusalem urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to end restraint policy and ensure security in Judea and Samaria.

Bereaved husband cries out: 'I came to Israel to build a home - not to bury my wife'

Netanyahu:

Netanyahu: All of Gaza will be under Israeli security control

Prime Minister Netanyahu holds first press conference in half a year; discusses war in Gaza, Iran, among other things.

Netanyahu: All of Gaza will be under Israeli security control

IDF officer: Most draft evaders not from haredi sector

Brig. Gen. Shai Taib tells Knesset committee that most draft evaders are not haredi, citing limited enforcement tools and a rise in evasion following cancellation of legal frameworks.

IDF officer: Most draft evaders not from haredi sector

Israel's medical heroes receive moving recognition in the Knesset

In a special Knesset ceremony, Shields for Volunteerism were awarded to volunteers from Israel and abroad who worked for the health system even under fire. Health Minister Busso: 'This is a recognition of human brotherhood.'

Israel's medical heroes receive moving recognition in the Knesset

'Defeatist Propaganda':

'Defeatist Propaganda': Bereaved families demand investigation against Yair Golan

Families of fallen soldiers from the Gevurah Forum have called on the Israel Police to launch a criminal investigation against Yair Golan over comments he made during a media interview in May.

'Defeatist Propaganda': Bereaved families demand  investigation against Yair Golan

MK Moshe Saada:

MK Moshe Saada: 'We are feeding the enemy while sending soldiers to die'

Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada sharply criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling it morally indefensible and strategically disastrous.

MK Moshe Saada: 'We are feeding the enemy while sending soldiers to die'

Hostage's brother:

Hostage's brother: 'No humanitarian aid until all hostages are home'

Hostage families from the Tikva Forum call on government to stop humanitarian aid to Gaza: 'political echelon displaying weakness.'

Hostage's brother: 'No humanitarian aid until all hostages are home'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

Minister Bezalel Smotrich: 'Humanitarian aid a necessity, will not reach Hamas'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defends limited aid to Gaza, insisting it won’t reach Hamas and is vital to securing military and strategic support for Israel’s war effort.

Minister Bezalel Smotrich: 'Humanitarian aid a necessity, will not reach Hamas'

Israeli Eurovision Star:

Yuval Raphael landed in Israel: "I returned with great feelings of pride"

Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 star, returned home to a hero’s welcome after securing second place in the international song contest.

Yuval Raphael landed in Israel: "I returned with great feelings of pride"