Elections 2013

A-G to Decide: Is Shas Distributing Election Amulets?

Election Committee Chairman asks Attorney General to weigh in on complaint over Shas prayer kits.

Netanyahu Vows: No More Bulldozers against Jews

With Bayit Yehudi breathing down his neck, Prime Minister pledges to stop uprooting Jewish communities.

Bayit Yehudi Answers Attack from Otzma Leyisrael

Bayit Yehudi clarifies position on tearing down outposts. Gimpel: "We will fight for the government to accept the Edmond Levy report."

PA Leaders Slam Netanyahu and Lieberman on Israeli TV

PA leaders, interviewed on Israeli TV, say electing Netanyahu "will lead to disaster", claim Lieberman is "a thug and a criminal".

Likud's Complaint Against Jewish Home Ads Accepted

Central Elections Committee accepts Likud complaint against Jewish Home ad that shows Netanyahu and Bennett side-by-side.

Likud Maintains Strength in Channel 2 Poll

Latest Channel 2 poll finds that the Likud Beytenu achieves 35 seats, followed by Labor with 16 and Jewish Home with 14.

Bennett: Expelling Jews would Kill the Economy

A withdrawal from Judea and Samaria would mean economic collapse, Naftali Bennett tells opponents.

Labor, Otzma Leyisrael Find Common Ground

Left-wing candidate finds common ground with the nationalist camp as parties debate refusing orders.

After Trump, Chuck Norris Also Endorses Netanyahu

Legendary actor Chuck Norris: "Vote for Netanyahu because a strong Prime Minister is a strong Israel."

Bennett: Yigal Amir Endorsement is Attempt to Intimidate Voters

Bennett responded to reports that Yigal Amir, PM Yitzhak Rabin's assassin, endorses his party and is encouraging others to vote as well.

Otzma Leyisrael Brings Muslim Prayer to Tel Aviv

Otzma Leyisrael brings a mosque to an upscale Tel Aviv suburb, wakes residents with cries of ‘Allahu Akbar.’

Bennett: Destroy Jewish Towns on Arab Land

Jewish Home party head says he favors demolishing Jewish towns built on private Arab land – as happened in Migron.

Bibi-Bennett Posters Upset Likud

Posters showing Naftali Bennett next to Netanyahu irritate Likud. ‘Jewish Home party trying to trick voters.’

Arutz Sheva/Israel Vibes Pre-Election Debate on Google Hangout

Arutz Sheva and Israel Vibes to offer a special pre-election video cast in which viewers can join. Eight different parties will be there.

'Next to Last' Poll: Bayit Yehudi Beats Out Labor, Likud Falling

One of the last polls that will be released before the elections has Bayit Yehudi party edging out Labor as second largest Knesset faction.

France Calls for Renewed Peace Talks Immediately After Elections

Hollande announced that "immediately after the Israeli elections you should expect a French-brokered peace initiative in the Middle East."

Migron Official: Right Voters 'Sick and Tired' of Likud Waffling

In Migron, they're convinced that the best way to preserve their community is through a strong Bayit Yehudi

White House Interference:

Report: White House Still Concerned Over Bayit Yehudi's Strength

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro met with Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett, amid "concerns" over the party's strength

Poll: Right Will Sweep Elections With 72 Mandates

Five days before the elections, a new poll shows the right strengthening significantly, to 72 Knesset seats

Obama's Interference Ineffective, Says Ex-Envoy

Ambassador Meir Rosenne: Israeli citizens don't like it when other countries tell them whom to elect.

What can Peres, Livni and Obama be Thinking?

Latest Poll: Likud 32, Bayit Yehudi 14

Disappointing numbers for Netanyahu as elections enter final week.

Elections Surprise: Arab Support for Jewish Home

The Jewish Home party finds allies in Bedouin and Druze communities, takes votes from Labor.

Litzman: No Compromise on Hareidi Enlistment

Hareidi deputy minister vows no compromise on hareidi IDF enlistment – a hot topic in the 2013 elections.

‘God’s Messenger’ Explains 2013 ‘Redemption’ Elections

Confused by elections ads calling to vote for redemption? Ofer Lifshitz explains his ‘divine mission’ and the Covenant Party.

Poll: Livni Down to 6 Seats, Jewish Home Rises

New survey shows the right going strong with 67 seats. Jewish Home party rises to 15 while Livni drops to just six.

Bennett on Criticism from US: We Will Do What's Good For Israel

"We will listen to the Americans, but we will do what is good for Israel," wrote Bennett amid US concern over his party's influence.

Elkin: The Right Could Lose Everything

Likud MK warns voters not to take a strong Likud for granted. ‘That’s how Rabin came to power.’

Supreme Court Allows Otzma LeYisrael and Balad Ads

Supreme Court overturns a decision by the Elections Committee to invalidate the campaign ads of Balad and Otzma LeYisrael.

Report: White House 'Concerned' About Bennett

The White House is closely following the Israeli elections and is "concerned" over the growing strength of the Jewish Home.

Livni: I'm Here to Stay

Hatnua chairwoman Tzipi Livni dispels rumors that she will quit if she is not appointed a minister in the next government.

Likud Official: Netanyahu Prefers Lapid

Netanyahu would prefer a coalition with Lapid and Livni over the Jewish Home, a senior Likud official tells Arutz Sheva.

Sources: PM Unshaken by Obama's Criticisms

Sources close to Binyamin Netanyahu said that the Prime Minister would remain solid in his policies, despite comments by President Obama

Donald Trump Endorses Netanyahu for Prime Minister

Donald Trump, the billionaire American real estate developer and television celebrity, endorsed Binyamin Netanyahu for reelection.

Livni: Obama's Words Should Be Wake Up Call to All Israelis

After reported criticism from Obama, Livni calls for a "citizens' appeal" to change policies of the administration and avoid isolation.

Police Ready for Riots as Otzma LeYisrael Prepares to March

Despite possible Arab violence, a visit by Otzma LeYisrael to an Arab village Tuesday will go on as planned.

Reflections on Elections

Miracle Terrorist Attack Survivor Heads New Hasidic Party

"Na Nach" Breslov party runs in election. "Eretz Yisrael was given to us in the Torah. We know what we're fighting for," stated Moshe Yanai.

Yesh Atid's Rabbi Piron: Bennett's Annexation Plan 'Delusional'

Rabbi Piron said Bennett's plan "denies international assumptions regarding a two-state solution and leads us to danger."

Supreme Court President Urges: Go Vote

"This is the opportunity for all adult citizens to influence the state's character," says Judge Asher Grunis.

Poll Shows Kadima isn't Dead Yet

Knesset Channel poll gives Disengagement party 3 seats in next Knesset.

Spin or truth?

Report: PM Plans Leftist Coalition because of Obama

Likud insiders claim Netanyahu will foresake his "natural partners" and shift from a nationalist government to a more central one.

Lieberman, Echoing Shamir, Hints at End to Politics if Convicted

Agreeing with the blunt words of Yair Shamir, Lieberman hints that if he is convicted of corruption charges, he will leave politics.

Bennett Addresses Divisiveness in Israel: Stop the Hate Speeches

A campaign party in the Negev set the stage for calls by Bennett to ignore political and religious affiliations and face the real issues

Bayit Yehudi: We Survived Pharaoh, We'll Survive Likud Attacks

Nisan Slomiansky, Number 3 on Bayit Yehudi list: "The more they hound us, the more we will flourish."

HaTnua Less Democratic than Balad? According to a New Study, Yes

A team of researchers developed a unique "internal party democracy index " to assess the level of democracy in political parties.

Green Leaf: We'll Tell All on Pot-Using MK's

Green Leaf – more commonly known as the “Pot Party” - said that it had plenty of information about Knesset members who use marijuana

'Chauvinism' Campaign Fails to Dent Bayit Yehudi

Anger in religious-Zionist leadership at Likud attempts to portray Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan as anti-women.

Ben Ari: Video Shows We are Occupied Ones

MK Michael Ben Ari says video of humiliation at Damascus Gate shows current situation throughout Israel.

Economy Party Fights for Divorced Fathers, Against Terror

Even terrorism can be fought using economics. The new Calcala party is headed by a former Kadima MK and two American brothers.

Deri: Netanyahu Prefers Coalition with the Left

Aryeh Deri, one of the leaders of the Shas party, accuses Netanyahu of preferring a coalition with parties from the left rather than Shas.

Bennett: We'll Recommend Netanyahu for PM

Bayit Yehudi chairman says Rabbi Ben Dahan was fired because he fought for women whose husbands refused them halakhic divorces.

Labor Head: If I Get 25 Seats, I will be PM

Yachimovich insists that she can unseat Netanyahu but admits that chances are not high.

Ya'alon Slams Bennett and Lapid: Don't Criticize Us

Those who have never held public positions should not criticize those who have, says Minister Ya'alon.

Appeal Brings Together Otzma Leyisrael, Balad

Right-wing faction, Arab list united as targets of Elections Committee censorship. ACRI appeals to allow both groups’ ads.

Poll: Right has Solid Lead – but 25% Still Undecided

The right is solidly in the lead with 71 seats, but 25% say they still are not sure who they will vote for, according to Maariv survey.

Poll: Likud Beytenu, Left are Neck on Neck

Eleven days to elections: Second poll shows the right-hareidi bloc in the lead with 66 seats, but center-left parties still rival Likud.

Bennett on Shas Ad: Russians Are Not a 'Separate Sector'

Jewish Home chairman meets Russian-speaking immigrants after Shas ad, tells them he sees them as being part of Israeli society.

Residents' Council Warns: Bibi Wants a Palestinian State

Binyamin Residents' Council new video reminds voters that Netanyahu expressed his support for a Palestinian state.

Rabbi Yisrael Rosen Offended by Shas Ad: Spot is Entirely False

Ad "not only sullies the reputations of conversion judges," but also attacks the chief rabbi, "who has final authority on conversions."