Elections 2015

Why the murky election results do not leave no options

For Netanyahu to agree to head a minority government would have been a non-starter after the prior three elections Maybe now? Op-ed

Netanyahu's rise in the polls since the 2015 elections

Did Haredi Parties Mislead Herzog on Left-Wing Government?

Did haredi parties mislead Yitzhak Herzog about their intention to form a coalition with them? Zionist Union leader isn't sure.

Herzog Defends 'Unflattering' Documentary Portrayal

Calling the actions of staff members 'regular' for election period, Labor leader admits "Herzog" film wasn't the most successful endeavor.

Herzog's Campaigner Admits: 'We Thickened His Neck'

Advertising guru Reuven Adler says Herzog's cowboyish campaign photo was unretouched, except for that detail.

Herzog Accuses Netanyahu of 'Buying' Last Election

Calling new elections imminent, Herzog says he has no need to make use Netanyahu's 'deceitful' tactics when they come.

Did Meretz Collect Illegal Campaign Funds?

Report claims Meretz forced workers to donate their salaries on elections day in both 2013, 2015; nationalists take action.

Shamir Hints: Yisrael Beytenu Failed Because of Liberman

Agriculture Minister says that Liberman's "new strategy" is to blame for Yisrael Beytenu's winning just six seats.

Poll: Religious Zionists Want Jewish Home to Take Education

A poll shows that religious Zionist voters prefer to see Bennett as Education Minister.

Jewish Home MK: Coalition Deal is Good for Us, for Israel

Education Minister perhaps even more important than Foreign Minister, claims MK Yinon Magal as coalition coalesces.

Report: Final Agreement Reached Between Netanyahu, Kahlon

Senior political sources say Kulanu party set to take up senior ministries, including finance and housing, in next government.

Sources: Netanyahu, Kahlon Closer to Agreement

Prime Minister and Kulanu chairman meet and reportedly make progress on coalition agreement.

'Bibi is the Devil' According to Kulanu's Advertising Director

Udi Pridan launches racially-charged tirade, says 'evil' Bibi should have lost like in 1999 elections, and blames Mizrahim for outcome.

Shas MK: Government Will be Formed, Despite Misgivings

Shas MK Yaakov Margi is very optimistic that things will work out with all of the Likud's “natural partners."

Report: Jewish Home Seeks to Limit Bennett's Power

Discussion of Jewish Home branch heads shows deep unrest in party following election drop, anger targeted at chairman Naftali Bennett.

Gillon: 'Occupation' Responsible for 'Ugly' Israeli Behavior

Former Shin Bet chief dissastisfied with election results, says 'occupation' to blame for phenomenon of ugly, violent Israeli behavior.

Herzog: I've Had No Contacts with Netanyahu

Labor leader continues to insist that he will not join a coalition headed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Likud: Anat Waxman Curses the Value of 'Freedom of Expression'

Likud party fires back at actress's half-apology on Saturday, notes that arrogance and racism in the name of 'free speech' is intolerable.

Actress Apologizes for Insulting Israelis in Anti-Bibi Rant

Anat Waxman, who derided Likud voters as an unrefined working class, finally apologizes for rant - but insists she was not 'racist.'

Netanyahu, Bennett to Meet for Coalition Talks After Impasse

Jewish Home reportedly to receive Economy, Strategic Affairs, Agriculture portfolios; MK Ayelet Shaked may gain a portfolio as well.

Liberman to Place Hamas's Destruction as Coalition Condition

Report: Yisrael Beytenu to place obliterating Hamas on their agenda as part of talks, along with reinstating Liberman as FM.

Report: Rivlin Working Towards Unity Government

President Rivlin reportedly working behind the scenes towards a government with Likud and the "Zionist Union".

Analysis

What Next for the Jewish Home and Naftali Bennett?

After a disappointing election which left Bennett fighting for his place in the gov't, can the party bounce back? One insider thinks so.

Broken promise

Expose: Netanyahu Promised Bennett Defense Ministry

Explosive report claims Netanyahu promised coveted position in return for support for early elections - then promptly reneged on his pledge.

Sealing the deal?

Netanyahu Offers Aryeh Deri Transportation Ministry

PM makes offer apparently meant to work out conflict between Deri and Kahlon, and seal Kulanu coalition deal.

Regev Laments 'Blackmail' From Small Parties in Coalition Talks

MK Miri Regev claims small, medium parties are holding up talks, calls to change the electoral system to ensure majority is in power.

Mass voting scandal

Shas Activists Caught on Tape Guiding Voter Fraud

Recordings reveal how Shas activists used 'tiny scribbles' and more to cheat democracy, leaving Yachad around 11,000 votes short.

UTJ Reportedly in Final Stages of Coalition Deal

All that's left is phrasing final agreement according to report, with deal to include cancellation of Enlistment Law's criminal sanctions.

Kulanu MK Complains 'Up Front' About Haredi Parties' Spending

The government hasn't been formed yet, but already rival parties are accusing each other of “ruining” their policies.

Jewish Home: Netanyahu Still Giving Us 'Runaround'

A source in Jewish Home says it appears that Likud wants a government with its “natural allies” - but not with Jewish Home.

Source: Likud Ready to Announce Deal With Shas, UTJ

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is set to announce his first coalition agreement next week, sources in the Likud said.

Kulanu to Approve Coalition Partners' Financial Demands

Likud and Kulanu reach understanding, if not final deal, in which Kulanu will have ultimate approval on all parties' budgetary demands.

Im Tirtzu: 'Post-Zionist' Labor MKs Do Not Belong in Government

Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Im Tirtzu's Policy Director Alon Schvartzer dismisses unity government, says MKs like Stav Shaffir are anti-Jewish.

Likud: If Kulanu Drags its Feet, We Will Sign with Haredim First

'Excessive' demands will prevent Kulanu from being the first party Likud signs a coalition agreement with, official says.

Marzel: We Did the Right Thing Even Though We Failed

In exclusive interview with Arutz Sheva, Baruch Marzel talks elections, Yachad's next step, and how Netanyahu stormed to victory.

Bennett: Netanyahu Thinks We're Suckers

Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett on Wednesday expressed his disappointment and frustration with the coalition negotiation process.

Report Fingers High-Earning 'Fat Cat' Bankers

A report in business daily Globes concluded that the nine best paid bankers earned NIS 52.2 million ($13 million) between them in 2014.

Kahlon Raises 'Price,' Now Demands 3 Ministries

Moshe Kahlon is demanding some of the top government portfolios as his price for joining Binyamin Netanyahu's new government.

Investigation into Shas Voting Fraud Takes Off

After witnesses claimed Shas paid them for votes, the Attorney General and Israel Police have been approached to start an investigation.

Bennett: Netanyahu Hasn't Even Started Negotiating With Us

Jewish Home party head says Netanyahu reneging on pre-election pledge that his party would be first in line to join a Likud-led coalition.

'Changing of the Guard': From Veteran MK to Father of Two MKs

Former deputy prime minister David Levy attends swearing-in of his daughter Orly and son Jacky, who 'continue the path.'

Rivlin Opens Knesset Calling for Unity; Arab MKs Boycott Anthem

President urges parties to move on from election mudslinging, calls for speedy conclusion to coalition talks.

Danny Danon Hopes to 'Serve the Public as Welfare Minister'

Likud MK tells Arutz Sheva Likud 'has a lot to prove,' hints Jewish Home should 'calm down' in coalition negotiations.

MK Brings Rocket to His Office 'To Remind Me Where I Come From'

Freshman Yesh Atid MK Chaim Yellin selects unusual choice for office ornament 'so I don't forget where I come from and who I represent.'

Likud: We Will Take 12 Portfolios in Next Government

If next government has only 18 ministers, Likud warns Jewish Home and Yisrael Beytenu, Ayelet Shaked and Sofa Lanver will not be ministers.

Voter fraud?

Report: Shas Bribed Citizens for Votes

Multiple witnesses claim Shas paid them up to 300 NIS for votes; one activist complicit in the bribery confirms; Shas denies involvement.

Kahlon: Give Us the Tools to Make Changes - Or We Won't be There

Kulanu chairman issues veiled threat to Likud as coalition talks continue.

Source: PM Could Seek Unity Government

A source in the Likud said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was strongly considering asking Yitzchak Herzog to join his coalition.

Likud and UTJ May Have Coalition Deal Before Passover

With several positions secured, and Likud likely to agree to UTJ's demands, haredi party looks poised to be first to finalize deal.

Yishai: Yachad is Not Going Anywhere

Despite debts and inability to pass threshold to join the Knesset, Eli Yishai promises Yachad will continue to 'grow and flourish.'

Yechimovich: Labor is Done with Rotation Deals

MK Shelly Yechimovich expounds on reasons for Labor's loss and party's plans in next elections.

Magal: PM Stopped Being 'Heroic' When Elections Ended

Jewish Home MK-elect Yinon Magal continues to assert Netanyahu offered his party nothing in the forthcoming government.

Hotovely: Netanyahu Will Form a Nationalist Government

Likud MK dismisses claims that Netanyahu will form a unity government, advises voters not to believe every headline they read.

Educational?

Leftist Tel Aviv Teacher in 'Disgusting' Election Loss Post

Responding to results, teacher wishes right-wing voters that they bury their loved ones, and get 'brutally raped in synagogues.'

Yinon Magal: Likud Purposely Stalling Coalition Talks

Incoming Jewish Home MK says that Netanyahu keeps raising the bar for the coalition - in hopes of forming a unity government instead.

Arab List Willing to Forego Sensitive Security Committee

Tibi says party willing to take financial influence instead of access to defense committee, heading off serious security concerns.

Sources Say Talks Are Stuck After Bennett-Netanyahu Meeting

Netanyahu and Jewish Home chairman meet for coalition negotiations amid tensions between the two parties.

UN Envoy Says Security Council can Force 'Peace Framework'

In ironic call given freeze now in place, envoy Serry says Jewish construction 'kills possibility of peace' in his very last report.

Former Shas MK: Stop Eli Yishai Hate Before It's Too Late

Something must be done to bring the divisions between supporters of Aryeh Deri and Eli Yishai under control, says outgoing MK Nissim Ze'ev.

Kahlon on Finance Ministry: No One Has Negotiated with Us

Kulanu leader pours cold water on reports that he has already been guaranteed the position of Finance Minister in the next government.