Jewish Home Party chair Rafi Peretz to retire from Israeli politics “This is the time to let new forces break out and lead,” says Peretz, Israel’s Jerusalem Affairs Minister. Danielle Roth-Avneri Jan. 6, 2021
Israeli officials quarantined after minister tests positive for COVID-19 Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Rafi Peretz's test result sends other ministers and the Israel Police Jerusalem district commander into self-isolation. Aug. 2, 2020
Jewish Home drops Otzma Yehudit to join new United Right alliance In a last-minute deal, Jewish Home leader Rafi Peretz breaks his pact with Itamar Ben-Gvir’s far-right party to join with the New Right and National Union ahead of Israel’s March 2 elections. Jan. 16, 2020
Likud races to unite right-wing parties ahead of midnight deadline Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly threatens to fire Defense Minister Naftali Bennett if his New Right Party refuses to form a joint slate with far-right Otzma Yehudit. Jan. 15, 2020
Israel’s education minister gets taught a lesson Rafi Peretz should spend more time on Israel’s academic record and school curricula, and less time poking around in the business of family choices. Ruthie Blum Jan. 14, 2020
Jewish Home and Otzma Yehudit parties unite ahead of March 2 election Jewish Home officials call on party leader Rafi Peretz to cancel the agreement, claiming he acted without consulting them • Peretz: “These elections will decide the fate of the right-wing government and Religious Zionism. The call of the hour is unity.” Dec. 22, 2019
Reporter suspended for portraying rabbi as anti-secular extremist Israel’s Channel 13 news has launched an investigation after its report on supposed extremism at a pre-military school founded by Education Minister Rafi Peretz was proven to be false. Sept. 11, 2019
Ayelet Shaked to lead Union of Right Wing Parties following last-minute deal Citing a sense of “national responsibility,” URWP leader Rafi Peretz cedes top spot to Shaked • Moshe Feiglin announces that his Zehut Party will not join alliance, says “ask Shaked” why. July 29, 2019
Former Israeli Justice Minister Shaked calls for right-wing unity ahead of September elections The split in the right-wing bloc prior to April’s elections contributed to the coalition failure, as Ayelet Shaked’s newly formed New Right Party failed to cross the electoral threshold, gifting several Knesset mandates to Israel’s left. Alex Traiman July 16, 2019
