Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Backs Likud Candidates Supporting Haredi Interests Ahead of Primaries
Shas leader Aryeh Deri is backing Likud MKs Boaz Bismuth, Hanoch Milwitsky, Ofir Katz, and Avichai Boaron in the upcoming primaries for their support of Haredi interests, directin…
Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot and Yuli Edelstein Accused of Undermining Haredi Soldier Recruitment
Former IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot and ex-Knesset chairman Yuli Edelstein coordinated to block the recruitment of 20,000 Haredi soldiers, maintaining broad exemptions and undermining…
Netanyahu Calls Lawmaker's Son Minutes Before Complex Open-Heart Surgery to Offer Support
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Boaz Bismuth's son minutes before his complex open-heart surgery to offer personal encouragement and support.
Yuli Edelstein Condemns Infighting Over Likud List Spots as 'Disgusting'
Yuli Edelstein criticized the bitter infighting over reserved spots in the Likud party list, calling it "disgusting," and expressed hope that Prime Minister Netanyahu would focus…
Israeli Parliament Extends Secrecy Order on Government Energy Company QITAF Amid Privatization Plans
The Israeli parliament has extended a secrecy order on the state energy company QITAF until the end of 2024, despite plans to privatize it. The decision was made in closed session…
Israeli Government Approves $1 Billion Security Funding and Extends Emergency Status Amid Ongoing Threats
Israel's government plans to allocate an additional one billion shekels for urgent defense needs and extend the emergency status until September 8, 2026, amid ongoing threats from…
Israeli Security Officials Warn of Drone Attack Threat Amid Regional Tensions
Israeli security officials have warned lawmakers about a serious threat of drone attacks, prompting plans for a drone ban amid rising tensions with Iran. While no active explosive…
IDF Chief Criticizes Law Preventing Arrests of Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers as Fundamentally Flawed
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi condemned a new law preventing arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers as fundamentally flawed, urging close monitoring after the Supreme Court fro…
Likud Expels Dan Illouz from WhatsApp Group After He Joins Yisrael Beiteinu
After Dan Illouz announced joining Yisrael Beiteinu, Likud removed him from its WhatsApp group with a mocking message. Illouz had been a vocal critic within Likud on religious and…
Israeli Attorney General to Decide on Prosecuting Left-Wing MK for Leaking Classified Security Committee Protocols
Israeli Attorney General will soon decide whether to prosecute left-wing MK Gilad Kariv for allegedly leaking classified security committee protocols from a June 2023 briefing by…
IDF Reports 53% Rise in Haredi Enlistment, Nearly 4,300 Recruited in 2025
The IDF reported a 53% increase in Haredi enlistment for the 2025 service year, reaching nearly 4,300 recruits, driven by enforcement measures and expanded dedicated programs. Thi…
Israeli Election Committee and Legal Officials Stress Integrity as Key to Public Trust
Ahead of Israel's elections, the Central Elections Committee and top legal officials met to affirm election integrity as essential for public trust. Concerns about internal threat…
IDF Faces Political Pressure After Deadly West Bank Incident Amid Election Tensions
A deadly shooting in the West Bank killed two Israeli officers, prompting political demands for changes in IDF engagement rules amid unclear circumstances and ongoing investigatio…
Shin Bet Chief Warns of Internal and External Threats to Israel's Upcoming Elections
In a confidential Knesset committee meeting, Shin Bet Chief David Zini and others warned of both external and internal threats to the integrity of Israel's upcoming elections, inc…
MK Boaz Bismuth Confronts Supreme Court Judge Noam Solberg Over Election Committee Appointments
MK Boaz Bismuth confronted Supreme Court Judge Noam Solberg over questionable appointments to Israel's Central Elections Committee during a Knesset security meeting on foreign ele…
Israeli Security Committee Chair Criticizes Central Election Committee Appointments Ahead of Knesset Vote
Israeli Lawmakers Warn of Iran's Physical Threats Ahead of 2026 Elections
Boaz Bismuth warned of a credible physical threat from Iran against Israeli officials, especially Prime Minister Netanyahu, ahead of the 2026 elections, urging caution and critici…
Israeli Government Watchdog Challenges Extension of Military Service in Supreme Court
The Movement for Quality Government petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court against a law extending mandatory military service from 30 to 32 months, citing constitutional violations and…
MK Boaz Bismuth Urges IDF Chief to Revise Rules of Engagement After Deadly West Bank Attack
MK Boaz Bismuth has demanded that the IDF Chief of Staff revise the rules of engagement following a deadly attack in the West Bank that killed two soldiers. He called for a compre…
Israel Faces Heightened Risk of Conflict With Iran Amid US Military Escalation
Amid escalating US military actions against Iran, Israel faces increased risk of being drawn into conflict, especially if Iran retaliates directly. While no Israeli attack is conf…
Israeli Government Declares Yeshiva Students Detention Freeze Law Unconstitutional Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing
Israel's Attorney General declared the law freezing detention of yeshiva students unconstitutional, citing discrimination and military opposition, ahead of a Supreme Court hearing…
Israeli Attorney General Urges Supreme Court to Cancel Law Freezing Arrests of Draft-Dodging Haredim
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara urged the Supreme Court to annul a recent law freezing arrests of draft-dodging Haredi yeshiva students, calling it discriminatory and…
MK Sharren Haskel Claims New Hope Members Forced to Record State Comptroller Vote Amid Legal Dispute
MK Sharren Haskel claimed New Hope party members were forced to record their votes for State Comptroller Michael Regev, amid a Supreme Court ruling ordering a repeat election due…
Budget Dispute Escalates Amid Israel's Military Readiness for Possible Iran Conflict
Israel's defense budget for 2026 remains unsettled despite a recent agreement to increase funding by 40 billion shekels. About 15 billion shekels have not been released, delaying…
Netanyahu Questions No-Betrayal Claim but Urges Shin Bet Chief to Investigate October 7 Events
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated he does not believe there was betrayal during the October 7 Hamas attack but urged Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate. Despite conspiracy the…
Knesset Security Committee Chair Demands Immediate Defense Budget Transfer from Finance Ministry
Boaz Bismuth, head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, urgently demanded Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich transfer billions in agreed defense funds, warning del…
Annual Katif Heritage Conference Highlights Israeli Society and Settler Legacy Amid Recent Turmoil
The annual Katif Heritage Conference in Nitzan commemorates the legacy of the Katif bloc and northern Samaria settlements, addressing Israeli societal challenges and recent turmoi…
IDF Chief Vows to Keep Politics Out of Military Amid Aryeh Deri's Criticism
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir asserts he will keep politics out of the military amid attacks from Shas leader Aryeh Deri. The IDF is preparing to resist political manipulation bef…
IDF Chief Stresses Need to Expand Recruitment Despite Mandatory Service Extension
The Israeli Knesset extended mandatory military service to 32 months amid a soldier shortage, but IDF leadership says more recruits and longer service are still needed to meet sec…
Political Attacks Undermine IDF Chief of Staff's Authority Amid Coalition Tensions
Arie Deri, a convicted politician, publicly attacked IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, accusing him of politicizing the military. Zamir, appointed by consensus, has faced ongoing coa…
Likud MK Dan Illouz Reveals One-Third of Party Wanted to Replace Netanyahu After October 7 Attacks
Likud MK Dan Illouz announced his departure from the party and revealed that after the October 7 attacks, at least one-third of Likud members sought to replace Prime Minister Neta…
Israeli Knesset Ends Turbulent 25th Session Amid War and Legal Reforms
Israel's 25th Knesset ends amid ongoing war repercussions, judicial reforms, and draft disputes, with no inquiry into the October 7 attack. Netanyahu's coalition survives politica…
IDF Rejects Criticism of Chief of Staff Over Opposition to Draft Law for Haredi Draft Dodgers
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi faces political backlash for opposing a law protecting Haredi draft dodgers, with military officials warning such criticism weakens the army and ha…
MK Michel Buskila Appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Following Sharren Haskel's Resignation
After Sharren Haskel resigned from the Knesset, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar appointed MK Michel Buskila as Deputy Foreign Minister, pending government approval.
Israeli Supreme Court Suspends Yeshiva Students' Arrest Exemption Law Pending Further Review
Israel's Supreme Court temporarily blocks a new law exempting yeshiva students from arrest for draft evasion, ordering further review amid legal and military opposition. Arrests o…
Israeli Politicians Reveal Military Reserve Service Days Amid Controversy Over Draft Exemption Law
Following the Knesset's approval of a law exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from military draft enforcement, politicians disclosed their and their families' reserve service days. This…
Netanyahu Promises Defense Minister Vote on Draft Exemption Law but Skips Final Session
Prime Minister Netanyahu promised Defense Minister Katz he would attend a key vote on a law exempting yeshiva students from arrest but did not appear. The law passed amid criticis…
MK Sharren Haskel Resigns from Government Over Controversial Haredi Draft Law
Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel resigned from the Israeli government after the Knesset passed a law freezing the detention of yeshiva students, sparking coalition tensions…
Rabbi Yaakov Medan Criticizes Arrests of Haredim and Calls for Respect to IDF Reservists
Rabbi Yaakov Medan opposes arresting Haredim who avoid IDF enlistment, citing risks to recruitment, while recognizing reservists' frustrations over a law halting arrests. He defen…
Israeli Coalition Advances Key Legislation on Torah Study, Military Service, and Media Reform
The Israeli coalition is advancing laws on Torah study, military service extension, media reform, and legal system changes, while some bills like a military service Basic Law are…
Israeli Parliament Legal Advisor Demands Haredi MKs Declare Relatives Under Arrest Orders Ahead of Yeshiva Exemption Vote
The Knesset legal advisor requires Haredi MPs to disclose relatives under arrest orders before voting on a bill exempting yeshiva students from arrest until 2027. The bill faces c…
Religious Zionist Community Faces Political Reckoning Over Military Burden and Draft Evasion
The Religious Zionist community in Israel mourns heavy military losses while facing political frustration over draft evasion protections for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The Chief of Staf…
Israeli Government Pushes Legislative Blitz Ahead of Knesset Dissolution
Ahead of the Knesset's dissolution, Israel's government is fast-tracking key legislation on media, military service, and election laws to complete them before elections or ensure…
Israeli Parliament to Vote on Halting Arrests of Draft-Dodging Ultra-Orthodox Despite IDF Chief's Opposition
The Israeli Knesset will vote on a law freezing arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers and extending military service to 32 months, despite opposition from IDF Chief Eyal Zamir…
Ultra-Orthodox Parties Advance Yeshiva Students' Arrest Freeze Law Ahead of Other Coalition Bills
The Knesset advanced a law freezing arrests of yeshiva students, led by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, amid coalition tensions over conscription. MK Boaz Bismuth defended the law as pr…
Israeli Knesset Committee Approves Extending Mandatory Military Service to 32 Months
The Israeli Knesset committee approved extending mandatory military service to 32 months, delaying a planned reduction to 30 months by five years due to IDF manpower shortages. Th…
Israeli Knesset Advances Basic Law on Torah Study Amid Coalition Disputes
The Israeli Knesset will vote on the Basic Law: Torah Study after coalition disputes led to a softened bill affirming Torah study as a core value. Ultra-Orthodox factions opposed…
Senior Security Official Condemns IDF Chief's Letter on Draft Law as Political Interference
A senior Israeli security official condemned IDF Chief Aviv Kochavi's letter opposing a bill to freeze arrests of draft-dodging yeshiva students as improper political interference…
