As part of the decisions made by the coalition, it was determined today (Sunday) that the official date for the elections for the 26th Knesset will be October 27. This is the original election date as set by law. At the same time, it was decided that the official date for the dissolution of the Knesset will be July 17.
Photo: Flash90
In the legal arena, there was a dispute over the date. The Knesset’s legal advisor, Attorney Sagit Afik, demanded that the date of the Knesset elections be set only together with the approval of the Party Financing Law. The coalition had no objections and replied to the attorney general that there was no need for this, since the date chosen was the original date set by law anyway.
In the meantime, before the Knesset finally dissolves, the coalition is planning a final legislative marathon. These are the main laws that are expected to be presented and approved this week in second and third readings: the Basic Law on Torah Study, the Law on Extending Regular Compulsory Service, and the Law on Arrests for Torah Learners. Alongside these, the Law on Splitting the Role of the Attorney General, Minister Kari’s Broadcasting Law, and the Haredi Parties’ Kashrut Law will also be submitted for approval.
Israeli politicians reacted in mourning to the death of Senator Lindsey Graham Sunday morning. The South Carolina senator was 71 when his office announced his passing of a “brief and sudden illness.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized Graham in a lengthy X post, naming him as one of Israel’s “greatest friends.” Netanyahu stated: “America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”
Photo: Benjamin Netanyahu’s X account
Netanyahu continued: “Our hearts are with Lindsey’s family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing.”
Saddened reaction to the late South Carolina senator’s passing was bipartisan. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid called the late senator “first and foremost a friend,” adding that, “his warmth, humor and energy will be deeply missed.” He continued, Lindsey had unwavering moral clarity, a deep devotion to the people of Israel and a clear vision for a secure and peaceful Middle East.”
Photo: Yair Lapid’s X account
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Lindsey Graham was “a true friend of the State of Israel and one of its strongest and most steadfast supporters.” Katz mentioned that after October 7th, “he traveled to Israel time and again, standing shoulder to shoulder with our people in an extraordinary demonstration of solidarity and unwavering friendship. His repeated visits during one of the darkest chapters in Israel’s history reflected his deep commitment to the Jewish state and its right to live in peace and security.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reffered to Graham as “one of Israel’s greatest friends and the Jewish people in the U.S. and around the world.” Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, stated: “Throughout his years in office, [Graham] waged an unwavering battle for liberty and the future of Western civilization with unmatched moral clarity and courage.”
Photo: Gideon Saar’s X account
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Lindsey Graham “stood with Israel not because it was easy, but because he believed it was right.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added that Graham “contributed greatly to strengthening our standing in the world and to advancing many important achievements during the war.”
Reactions came from outside of the Knesset as well. Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan euolagized the sentor and pointed to his courageousness and fortitude: ““Graham never hesitated to confront anyone, not even the president of the United States, when Israel’s security was at stake. He saw subduing the Iranian regime and its nuclear program, and securing Israel’s existence, as his life’s mission.”
The sudden death of senior American senator Lindsey Graham, has sent shockwaves across Israel, where the late Senator was highly regarded for his strong pro-Israel stance. Samaria Governor Dagan, who maintained a close relationship with Graham over the years, told C14 of his deep sorrow over the death of a man he described as one of the State of Israel’s greatest and most loyal friends.
The late Senator Lindsey Graham in an interview to Channel 14 in February 2026
“I am filled with grief over Lindsey Graham’s sudden passing,” Dagan said. “He was a true lover of Israel and an idealist, a man who believed, out of Christian faith, that the Jews must return to their land, to Israel, and who worked for decades on behalf of the State of Israel and for strengthening the ties between Israel and the United States. Whoever blesses the people of Israel is blessed, and he blessed the people of Israel wholeheartedly, without pause.”
The Samaria Governor emphasized the senator’s resolve in standing by Israel: “Graham never hesitated to confront anyone, not even the president of the United States, when Israel’s security was at stake. He saw subduing the Iranian regime and its nuclear program, and securing Israel’s existence, as his life’s mission.”
Dagan noted Graham’s special connection to Jewish communities in Israel’s heartland and the fact that he was an outspoken friend of Samaria. Just a month ago, the senator was among Dagan’s official hosts of a Capitol Hill conference in support of Samaria held on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Governor Yossi Dagan and Tony Perkins with senior Republican lawmakers in Washington DC on June 4, 2026 | Photo courtesy: Samaria Regional Council
“The enlightened world has lost a role model, and a great void has opened at the foundation of the shared camp of the enlightened world on both sides of the ocean,” Dagan concluded. “It will fall to us, in the United States and in Israel alike, to work very hard to fill the void that has been created. May his memory be a blessing.”
Ariel Bulshtein, a former adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an international relations analyst, addressed claims in an interview with Tal Meir that Vice President J.D. Vance made about the United States being Israel’s “only friend.” He made clear that there are countries quietly courting Israel.
Photo: Olivier Pitoussi
Bulshtein argued that “we need to separate style from substance here. Trump is a person who likes to show off. That’s part of his aura, and a large portion of his supporters apparently love that style.” He emphasized: “In terms of substance, the prime minister spoke about him being a tremendous friend of Israel, someone who has helped and will continue to help the Jewish state greatly.”
The analyst also addressed Netanyahu’s remarks in a Fox News interview, where he mentioned India as an example of another Israeli friend, saying it’s just one example among many: “There are also many other countries—some in Europe, many in South America, and others in Asia—that under the radar and sometimes on the radar, but without making too much of a show of it, are seeking good relations with the State of Israel.”
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
According to him, these countries are seeking to deepen relations with Israel “both because they have an economic, military, or other interest in strengthening this relationship, but also because they genuinely respect Israel, appreciate our achievements, and know that being on the right side of history means being with Israel.”
The IDF struck southern Gaza Thursday and killed Yahya Said Mohammed Hamdan, commander of a Nukhba Force cell in Hamas’s military wing.
Hamdan led a raid on the Re’im military base during the October 7 massacre.
In recent months, Hamdan advanced terror operations against IDF forces and worked to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities.
The terrorist posed an immediate threat to Israeli forces operating in the area and was killed in a precision airstrike.
Kibbutz Nirim after the October Seven massacre | Photo: Yossi Aloni, Flash90
IDF forces under Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue operating to remove any immediate threat.
Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever was shocked to discover that the pistol he received as a gift from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was loaded. Upon landing, the weapon was immediately handed over to airport police, and it’s still unclear what will be done with it, Reuters reported Thursday.
Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever | photo: European Union
De Wever isn’t the only one who got the questionable gift. At the end of the NATO summit in Ankara, Erdogan handed out personalized vintage revolvers bearing each leader’s name—along with live ammunition.
According to the report, the gift is meant to showcase Turkey’s arms industry, which has become one of the country’s major export sectors in recent years and a significant tool in Ankara’s foreign policy.
Turkish President Erdogan | Photo: Reuters
The weapon is a Gumusay .357 Magnum revolver, manufactured in the 1990s by Turkish arms maker MKE, and is now considered a rare and valuable collector’s item.
Meanwhile, other leaders across Europe are trying to figure out what to do with the Turkish “gift.” Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s pistol is currently stuck in customs at Warsaw airport. The Netherlands decided not to take any chances and rushed to neutralize their prime minister’s gun, and in Sweden the weapon is still awaiting import approval.
The Leviev family has decided to cancel the private criminal complaint it filed against Simon Leviev, known to the public as the “Tinder Swindler.” The move brings a surprising end to one of the most publicized legal battles of recent years, which began with a lawsuit from four children of businessman Lev Leviev.
The Tinder Swindler’, Simon Leviev in court | Photo: Avshalom Shashoni, Flash90
The family, which claimed Hayut impersonated the billionaire’s son while using the trademarks of the diamond company LLD, accused him of severely damaging their reputation and defrauding women and business owners around the world under the cover of the family’s prestige.
Hayut, who already served prison time in Israel for fraud offenses, became the target of the Leviev family’s legal battle after it was revealed he used false pretenses to extract huge sums from his victims by claiming he was “on the run” and restricted from accessing family assets.
Channel 14’s U.S. correspondent Libby Alon interviewed Flavio Bolsonaro, a candidate for president in Brazil’s upcoming elections and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. In a video she posted yesterday (Wednesday) on her Instagram account, she revealed a behind-the-scenes moment: “He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.” In the video, the two couldn’t stop laughing, while Alon said with a smile: “I need to get back to being serious.”
Photo from Libby Alon’s Instagram page
In a post she shared afterward, she reflected on the experience: “There are meetings that stay with you long after the cameras turn off. I had the great privilege of sitting down to interview Flavio Bolsonaro—a fascinating conversation with a sharp, charismatic person with vision.” She said she was particularly impressed by Flavio’s commitment to Brazil and his belief in his ability to lead the country to a better future.
“One of the things that stood out most to me is his consistent support for Israel and his clear position on strengthening relations between the countries, including his commitment to moving Brazil’s embassy to Jerusalem,” she said, emphasizing that beyond all the serious topics, “the conversation was full of moments of humor, which made the experience even more special. It was a great privilege for me to interview him and get to know him up close.”
Photo: Shutterstock
In a promo for the full interview between the two, which will air Saturday night, the son of Brazil’s former president—a staunch supporter of Israel—addressed the controversy surrounding his father after Brazil’s electoral court ruled he is disqualified from political competition until 2030 on grounds of abuse of authority, sparking widespread public outcry among his voters, who saw it as legal persecution.
“President Bolsonaro was the target of lawfare. Brazil’s electoral court is composed of several members who are from Brazil’s Supreme Court—that’s how it works in Brazil,” he said. He said he looks forward to the day when he will be president himself and will renew the special relationship with Israel: “I will not only renew these relations, but also expand them. I want every Israeli to come here to Brazil. I will appoint an ambassador to Israel who will truly promote commercial ties with Israel.”
Former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro | photo: Shutterstock
He also pledged to move Brazil’s embassy to Jerusalem: “It will happen at the beginning of the government, as fast as possible—continuing what President Jair Bolsonaro started. This is a personal commitment from my heart, to complete this move.” Bolsonaro also praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and promised he would invite him to visit Brazil if elected president. “It’s a relationship of respect and appreciation. He is an exceptionally intelligent and brave person, and I ask God to continue giving him wisdom to defend the State of Israel well and do his part.”
The Education Committee approved Thursday in second and third readings a bill to memorialize Golda Meir through the establishment of a memorial corporation that will include a memorial site, archive, and museum. The legislation also stipulates that a woman must head the corporation for its first two terms.
Golda Meir | Photo: Eldan David, National Photo Collection
Under the proposal, a memorial site will be established in central Israel featuring an exhibition and displays commemorating Meir’s memory, work, and legacy. The site will include a museum presenting her life story, her struggle to establish the state, and her role in shaping it and its major historical events.
Additionally, the 8th of Kislev, the day of Meir’s death, will be designated as “Golda Meir Day,” with memorial ceremonies and educational activities held in schools and IDF bases to teach her legacy.
Golda Meir | Photo: Saar Yaacov, National Photo Collection
Committee Chairman MK Zvi Sukkot said after the vote: “This corrects a historical injustice. We’re talking about the only female prime minister we’ve had, and she deserves commemoration like the others. I wish for my daughter to be prime minister one day.”
The bill’s sponsors, MKs Merav Michaeli and Pnina Tamano-Shata, also addressed the fact that until now Golda Meir has not received proper commemoration as male prime ministers have. “While until now only men have been commemorated through legislation, the time has come to do justice,” Tamano-Shata said.
A security and diplomatic failure came to light Thursday morning in the Knesset Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria Affairs: 30 years after the Oslo Accords were signed, no official Israeli body is responsible for monitoring and documenting the ‘Palestinian’ Authority’s blatant violations.
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During the hearing, a particularly embarrassing and infuriating incident occurred when subcommittee chairman MK Zvi Sukkot demanded information and data from representatives of the Civil Administration and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) about ‘PA’ violations of the Oslo Accords. Both representatives claimed they had no data on violations and lacked the authority to answer. After several long minutes, the COGAT representative shifted responsibility to the Defense Ministry representative as the one who should coordinate the issue.
But that’s where the shameful failure unraveled: Defense Ministry representative Yishai Kamelman responded that those who should provide answers on violations are “on the political aspect, COGAT, and on the operational aspect, the IDF Central Command,” but when MK Sukkot insisted on understanding which body is supposed to oversee political agreements like the Oslo Accords, he was left—to everyone’s surprise—without an answer. The system is simply operating with its eyes closed.
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During the heated hearing, bereaved fathers from the ‘Habayta’ forum cried out: “Our children are the price of the peace victims. The time has come to cancel the Oslo Accords and return to building in the open areas.”
Thirty years after they were signed, the blood price of the Oslo Accords continues to rise and threatens the security of Israeli citizens. The alarming documentation showing ‘Palestinian’ Authority fighters conducting exceptional and large-scale military training has unfortunately become routine. Alongside the clear security danger of a murderous enemy army strengthening itself in the heart of the Land of Israel, there is a blatant, frontal, and ongoing violation of all the commitments the PA signed in the agreements.
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The PA’s violations have recently become more frequent and far more blatant. In a shocking image published today by a PA terrorist, he is seen proudly holding a heavy machine gun—lethal weaponry absolutely forbidden for use under the agreements. A third terrorist in the same photo held similar weaponry, while the middle terrorist grips an upgraded M16 rifle with advanced sniping capabilities and night vision equipment. All of these completely exceed the agreements, which permit the PA to hold only light weapons.
Another image revealed yesterday from the military academy in Moscow shows PA terrorists training in combat using Russian tanks. Needless to say, tanks and heavy armored vehicles are not on the list of equipment permitted for use from Israel’s perspective. The PA is building an army in every sense of the word, right under our noses.
‘Palestinian’ Authority soldiers| No photo credit
MK Zvi Sukkot, chairman of the Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria Affairs and chairman of the Education Committee, sharply attacked the abandonment: “This is an inconceivable incident! Government representatives are sitting here and they don’t even know how to say who is responsible for checking whether there are violations or not, and this is an incident we are going to fight. The crime of Oslo costs human lives, it’s dangerous, it endangers the existence of the State of Israel, and the minimum is first of all to come check what violations the other side is doing. It cannot be that we continue to be the suckers of the world and sign agreements without checking what the other side is doing. They’re playing with all our lives.”
