Israel Elections 2021

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Yamina implodes as National Union, New Right officially break ties
Yair AltmanIsrael HayomJanuary 12, 2021
An independent run by the National Union is projected to just pass the electoral threshold, while polls say Naftali Bennett's New Right is poised to become one of parliament’s largest factions.
Naftali Bennett, Ayelet Shaked and Bezalel Smotrich of the right-wing Yamina alliance hold a press conference in Jerusalem on May 14, 2020. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
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‘This is an emergency’: Gantz presses left-wing bloc to unite against Netanyahu
Danielle Roth-AvneriIsrael HayomJanuary 12, 2021
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz urges center-left parties to come together “without ego” • Tnufa leader Ofer Shelah calls on The Israelis Party, Labor to run on a joint ticket.
Israeli Defense Benny Gantz visits at the Jerusalem Municipality on November 10, 2020. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
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Israel’s Supreme Court slams Tel Aviv mayor for repressing Middle East Forum billboard campaign
January 11, 2021
Mayor Ron Huldai “must refrain from exercising executive power in a manner that purports to dictate values and instill in citizens his personal ideology,” says Justice Alex Stein.
An image of one of the billboards in Tel Aviv sponsored by the Middle East Forum's Israel Victory Project before they were torn down on the order of Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. Credit: Courtesy of the Middle East Forum.
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Ya’alon breaks from Lapid’s party ahead of Israeli elections
Danielle Roth-AvneriIsrael HayomJanuary 10, 2021
Telem and Yesh Atid were originally members of Blue and White, but left the bloc when Benny Gantz decided to join Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Telem faction head Moshe Ya'alon at a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Efrat on Dec. 19, 2020. Photo by Gershon Elinson/Flash90.
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Former deputy IDF chief Dan Harel enters political arena
Danielle Roth-AvneriIsrael HayomJanuary 6, 2021
The Israeli general best known for leading the country’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005 joined Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai’s new party.
Dan Harel, then-director-general of the Defense Ministry, at a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on Nov. 18, 2015. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
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Jewish Home Party chair Rafi Peretz to retire from Israeli politics
Danielle Roth-AvneriIsrael HayomJanuary 6, 2021
“This is the time to let new forces break out and lead,” says Peretz, Israel’s Jerusalem Affairs Minister.
Jewish Home Party chairman Rafi Peretz at faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on Nov. 11, 2019. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90.
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JNS Webinar Series
JNS Webinar: The role of Anglos in Israeli politics: Past, present and future
JNSJanuary 5, 2021
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 — A special panel featuring Israel’s English-speaking parliamentarians: MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh and Former MKs Dov Lipman, Ambassador Michael Oren and Yehuda Glick
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Blue and White exodus continues as Minister Meirav Cohen jumps ship to Yesh Atid
Danielle Roth-AvneriJanuary 5, 2021
The social equality minister is the ninth lawmaker to leave Blue and White in the past two weeks.
Knesset member Meirav Cohen, April 29, 2019. Photo by Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.
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Yitzhak Shamir’s granddaughter joins Sa’ar’s New Hope Party
January 3, 2021
Attorney Michal Diamant will be a member of the team preparing the party’s judicial system reforms, according to party head Gideon Sa’ar.
Michal Diamant. Credit: Elad Malka.
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Likud scraps primaries, allows Netanyahu to reserve six slots on Knesset list
Yehuda ShlezingerIsrael HayomDecember 31, 2020
The Israeli prime minister will be able to name officials to the fifth or 10th place on Likud's Knesset list for the March 23 election, as well as to slots number 26, 28, 36, 39 and 40.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement following his victory in the Likud Party primaries, Dec. 27, 2019. Photo by Flash90.
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