Knesset

Former Yisrael Beytenu MK Esterina Tartman dies at 68

After retiring from political life, Tartman turned to private business and public activity outside of government.

Israeli Knesset Member Esterina Tartman arrives at a press conference of the Israel Beiteinu Party, in Jerusalem on March, 01, 2007.
A giant election campaign poster for the Amcha Yisrael party is displayed on a building at the entrance to Jerusalem ahead of the upcoming general elections, September 14, 2026.

Deadlock deepens as post-deadline polls leave both blocs short of 61 Knesset seats - analysis

Yair Golan leads The Democrats, it is polling at around 10 seats.

Golan already preparing demands for coalition talks if change bloc government formed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads Likud into the October 27 election as the ruling party seeks to retain power amid slipping polls and questions over Netanyahu’s future.

Netanyahu faces new election risk as 59 seats could open path to rival government - opinion


Smotrich enters joint ticket talks with former Likud MK Feiglin as Likud slams Ben-Gvir

Simultaneously, tensions grew between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Likud party after he announced that Otzma Yehudit would not run together with the Religious Zionist Party.

(L-R): National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen in the Knesset plenum, December 29, 2022

As Winter fuels Netanyahu’s discontent, Israel's Right faces a new dilemma

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Ofer Winter is betting Israelis want new leadership after October 7, while Netanyahu warns the new party could waste right-wing votes and weaken his bloc in the coming election.

OFER WINTER attends the launch of the People of Israel party in Jerusalem on Tuesday. He can introduce individuals without political experience into his party because, after October 7, such candidates can say: ‘We did not create this mess. Give us a chance to clean it up.’

Winter's claimed support for Netanyahu overshadows his campaign, may siphon Likud voters - analysis

Winter is seeking to remove from the agenda the campaign portraying him as a risk to the right, as someone who could help replace Netanyahu or siphon votes away from the bloc.

The launch of the new Amcha Yisrael party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Ofer Winter, unification of Arab parties, shake up Knesset seats, push RZP below threshold - poll

The data shows that Winter’s entry has created greater complexity within the coalition bloc. Without him, the bloc led by Benjamin Netanyahu receives 43 seats, while with him it rises to 48 seats.

The launch of the new People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Gilad Erdan confirms talks with Benny Gantz on possible election alliance

Gantz also criticized calls to form another narrow coalition without the traditional right, arguing that both a narrow “change” government and a fully right-wing government had failed.

MK Yuli Edelstein speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 13, 2026.

Only two blocs: The election math Netanyahu doesn’t want Israelis to see - opinion

On Election Day, there are two possible political outcomes: A majority for continuing Netanyahu’s tenure or a majority for replacing him. 

An illustration of an Israeli voting at the ballot box.

Bennett adds longtime adviser, IDF reservist Jeremy Saltan to B’Yachad Knesset slate

Saltan is also the third immigrant from the United States on the slate, alongside MK Michal Slawny Cababia and Mati Gill.

Jeremy Saltan (L) joind former prime minister Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad party, August 27, 2026.

A new Right? Winter’s People of Israel could secure six seats, at expense of Smotrich's RZP - poll

Although the Religious Zionism Party also received six seats, it would fail to cross the threshold to enter Knesset, according to the Wendesday poll.

Ofer Winter speaks during his party announcement event on August 25, 2026.

MK Cassif claims IDF soldier assaulted him while trying to block his entry to West Bank town Kusra

He shared footage showing him approaching the soldiers with his hands behind his back, in view of the camera, as he tried to walk past while the soldiers blocked him.

Hadash-Ta'al MK Ofer Cassif says the IDF attempted to delay him from entering Kusra by declaring it a 'closed military zone,' August 14, 2026.

Netanyahu weighs rotation gov't with Eisenkot amid fears of not securing majority bloc in Knesset

Against this backdrop, the possibility of Netanyahu taking over the presidency after Herzog's term ends is being discussed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.