Elections 2015

Likud primaries

Victorious Netanyahu Lauds 'The Best List of All Parties'

In his victory speech for Likud head at Metzudat Ze'ev, PM Netanyahu praises new Likud list; aims to defeat the Left in general elections.

Likud's New Knesset List Starts to Emerge

After 40% of the votes counted, Yuli Edelstein and Gilad Erdan likely to take second and third spots after Netanyahu. Miri Regev in fifth.

Deri-Yishai Squabble Illustrates Shas Power-Vacuum

Dr. Nissim Leon says Aryeh Deri's resignation the result of a crisis of religious authority, created with the passing of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Initial Results Show Feiglin Won't Make Next Knesset

Polls show Moshe Feiglin may fall to an 'unrealistic' position on the Likud list; vows to 'continue no matter what.'

40% of Votes Counted: Who Will Win the Likud Primaries?

Polls closed 10 p.m. Wednesday with 55% of Likud members participating; as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday 40% of the votes had been counted.

Trajtenberg Officially Joins Labor

Economics Professor who headed a special committee after 2011 social protests touted as Israel's next Finance Minister by Herzog and Livni.

Danon Concedes Defeat to Netanyahu in Likud Primaries

MK Danny Danon says PM Binyamin Netanyahu won the vote on the leadership for the Likud party, promises to work together with him.

Poll: Labor Still Top Party, Yishai to Pass Threshold

Channel 10 poll shows resurgence of support for Labor; Ha'am Itanu could barely edge into Knesset.

MK Regev: Strong Pro-Bibi List Will Win Elections

Israel needs a strong Likud – and a strong Binyamin Netanyahu leading it, said MK Miri Regev, appealing to Likud members to vote.

Candidate Yehuda Glick Votes in Likud Primaries

Glick, Temple Mount activist and target of assassination attempt, says his 33 spot on list 'will be realistic when they hear I'm in Likud.'

'Israel Must Take Off the Kid Gloves With the PA'

Likud Deputy Minister Akunis says world nations starting to realize Israel has no peace partner - problem is Livni still doesn't get it.

Arutz Sheva exclusive

Likud Prepares for a Primaries Showdown

Danon speaks about his challenge on Netanyahu for Likud leadership as roughly 100,000 party members head for the ballot boxes.

Yishai on Leaked Videos: That's Not My Way

Ha'am Itanu chairman makes clear that he had nothing to do with the leaked tapes showing Rabbi Ovadia Yosef speaking out against Aryeh Deri.

Yesh Atid's MK Koll Quits Politics

MK Adi Koll announces she is quitting politics and returning to work in the field of education.

Exclusive interview

Beyond the Controversy: Who are Ha'am Itanu?

Hareidim, religious-Zionists and 'traditional' Jews championing Jewish identity and social justice - this is more than just Shas 2.0.

Outcry After Jewish Home Candidate Promotes Land Withdrawals

Jewish Home issues unusual announcement distancing from statements of candidate who backs 'land for peace,' says Bennett does too.

Lapid: We Fought Corruption 'Every Day' in 19th Knesset

Lapid boasts Yesh Atid is the only party not subject to some scandal in Israeli history, claims 'settlers, hareidim' given precedence.

Wortzman: Votes Moving to Jewish Home from Shas, Yisrael Beytenu

Disillusionment with Shas drama, Yisrael Beytenu corruption case, the move of both parties to the Left could see Jewish Home win more seats.

Deri 'Determined' to Resign as Shas Chairman

After his resignation was rejected by Shas rabbis, MK Aryeh Deri tells party members he is determined to step down.

Shas Rabbis Reject Deri's Resignation Request

Aryeh Deri to remain party chairman after ruling from Council of Torah Sages, who personally delivered the news Monday night.

Poll: Labor and Likud Still Tied, Yishai Misses Threshold

Labor, Likud still vying for top spot at 24 seats each; Meretz weakens, Yishai's party misses threshold.

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri to Resign?

Deri to submit resignation to Shas Council of Torah Sages after R' Ovadiah Yosef recording scandal; request only approved if they accept.

'Magal's Candidacy Weakens Religious Zionism'

Candidate for Jewish Home Head, Rabbi Shimon Or, criticizes news editor Yonin Magal for running for spot on Jewish Home list.

MK Moses: One in Four Israeli Children Go to Bed Hungry

UTJ MK Menachem Eliezer Moses attacks current government at special Knesset session devoted to discussing recent poverty reports.

Bennett Says He's Rebuffing Foreign Pressure to Move Leftward

At annual international rabbinical conference, Jewish Home leader also hails Israel's changing attitude towards Diaspora Jewry.

Former Shin Bet Head Returning to Politics on Likud List

Avi Dichter returns to Likud after brief hiatus, says he supports peace deal - but also that Israel should defang Gaza.

Likud Leader Calls on Netanyahu to Defend Samaria Town

Likud faction head Shevah Stern demands that PM obligate himself to saving Amona from High Court, and not turn Likud into 'Labor B.'

Technical Bloc: The Answer for Otzma Yehudit-Ha'am Itanu Unity?

Ben-Gvir reveals Yishai hedging against joint list with Ben-Ari's party out of desire to join Netanyahu coalition - but there is a way.

Kahlon Warns Against 'Social Disengagement'

Kulanu party chairman says he believes in "a free market economy - but with social sensitivity".

Explosive Tape Shows Rabbi Yosef Slamming 'Evil' Aryeh Deri

Never before seen recordings show former Shas spiritual head rejecting Deri over corruption; 'Why would I betray Eli Yishai?'

Yisrael Beytenu Minister Uzi Landau Resigns from Politics

Tourism Minister tells Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting he does not intend to stand for reelection next March.

Poll: 61% of Voters Haven't Made Up Their Minds

Whatever polls appear in the coming days, there is one statistic to keep in mind: Most voters haven't decided anything yet.

The 'Anglos' are coming

Anglo-Israeli Knesset Contenders Have High Hopes for Jewish Home

Electoral reform; curbing the High Court's power; more support for diaspora Jewry - Jewish Home's Anglos are determined to make a change.

Yogev: Soldiers, Volunteers Should Vote in Jewish Home Primaries

MK Moti Yogev pushes for special steps to be taken to ensure that IDF soldiers, national service girls can vote in Jewish Home primaries.

Watch: Deputy Minister Drafts Superman to Save Israeli Education

Deputy Education Minister Avi Wortzman becomes 'Superman' in yet another pre-election viral video.

'The High Court for Justice Works for the Infiltrators'

MK Miri Regev visits south Tel Aviv in the wake of the High Court shooting down anti-infiltration laws once again; vows to fight it.

Civil Rights Group Demands Herzog Reveal Role in Corruption Case

Second activist in one week to call out Herzog; claims public has a right to know if Herzog is morally fit to be PM.

Eli Yishai Backs Netanyahu for Prime Minister

Ha'am Itanu chairman's support follows reports of a Netanyahu-Yishai alliance to weaken Left, Shas.

When Rabbis Differ on Which Party to Join

'Yinon Magal is a Great Man,' Jewish Home MKs Testify

Fellow MKs call Magal's candidacy a 'blessing' shortly after the news anchor announces his candidacy for Jewish Home.

Senior Israeli News Editor Joins Jewish Home

Walla! News editor Yinon Magal joines Bennett's Jewish Home party, notes he has stood up for pro-Israel, Religious Zionist views.

Beyond "Correct" Political Analysis

Lapid: We Won't Split Jerusalem

Yesh Atid chairman vows his party would never split Jerusalem, and also launches a tirade against PM Netanyahu and his lack of diplomacy.

Former Peace Now Activist to Run with Jewish Home

Dr. Anat Roth, formerly an activist with Peace Now and an advisor to Barak and Mitzna, will run with Jewish Home, says "reality has set in".

Shas Embarrassed After Spiritual Leader Insults Yishai

Officials in Shas distance themselves from comments made by Rabbi Shalom Cohen against Eli Yishai and his rabbinic counsel.

Poll: Yisrael Beytenu Corruption Woes, 17% Undecided

New poll shows Liberman's party harmed by corruption scandal, ongoing Yishai-Shas struggle, large ambivalence in public over vying parties.

One out of Three is Better than Three Out of Three

Radical Leftists Call for Jewish-Arab List to Conquer Knesset

Leftist academics, politicians and public figures call for joint list for all leftists, Jewish and Arab, to stop 'colonialist enterprise.'

Liberman: 'Mysterious Forces' Are Always Trying to Hurt Us

Yisrael Beytenu chairman says his party is being targeted by police before every election, vows his party "will come out strong".

Eli Yishai: If Only People Knew What Rabbi Yosef Really Said

Yishai says Rabbi Yosef never supported Oslo Accords; says recordings could reveal all and give him ten mandates.

Kahlon Says Kulanu Reflects the Values of Menachem Begin

Drawing on previous themes of 'returning to original Likud,' Kahlon places emphasis on middle-class capitalism, social justice.

Poll: Likud Gaining Ground in Elections

Likud could manage to win a coalition, poll reveals - despite the right-wing bloc weakening as a whole.

Former MK Michael Ratzon to Re-enter Politics

MK dismissed for objecting to the Disengagement to run in Likud primaries, says Likud needs to return to domestic issues as well.

Polls Shows Joint Arab List Spells the End of Shas

Arab parties' joint list would give more votes to Likud, Jewish Home in latest poll; without Arab unity, Shas could scrape through.

Yishai Vows 'We Will Prevent Withdrawals, Terrorist Releases'

Ha'am Itanu head says in conference his new party will guide the next government to stop freezes, and unite the Jewish people.

Zoabi: Danon's Campaign Video 'Filled with Violence'

As she promised to do, MK Hanin Zoabi complains to police against MK Danon's animated campaign video, says it incites to violence.

Former Shin Bet Chief: Right-wing Parties are 'Destructive'

Former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin launches Facebook tirade against Likud, Jewish Home and Yisrael Beytenu.

Attorney General Sets Limits on Raising Minimum Wage

Netanyahu can raise minimum wage to 5000 IS monthly in election period, but cannot take decision to set it at 52% of average wage.

Jewish Home Candidate: Women MKs a Positive Force in Knesset

Educator and Zionist activist Sara Eliash, a founder of Kedumim, says women candidates a positive and growing force in Jewish Home party.

Likud Candidate Says Liberman Part of a 'Left-Wing Conspiracy'

Former Likud MK Ayoub Kara says the issue in upcoming elections is the stark contrast between the “clear right” and the “clear left.”