Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister’s Office:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met last weekend (Friday) in his office in Jerusalem with American Senator Joni Ernst.

Stills: Maayan Tof, GPO

By Pesach Benson • January 22, 2026

Jerusalem, 22 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Israeli President Isaac Herzog poured cold water on a speedy pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.

“I have made clear numerous times that it has to go through a certain procedure,” Herzog said in a discussion with Fareed Zakaria. “Right now, the request has to go through the procedure of collecting various opinions by the relevant agencies in the Ministry of Justice. I cannot violate that, because of course I have to operate according to the rules.”

In an unprecedented letter to Herzog sent in November, Netanyahu did not admit wrongdoing or apologize for any alleged offenses but instead emphasized his “broad public and ethical responsibility” for the political tensions surrounding his ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu’s request came on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for clemency to the Israeli president.

“I respect President Trump tremendously,” Herzog told Fareed Zakaria, “and of course we have our own legal system and I will operate within its [bounds].”

Netanyahu’s case “should have been resolved amicably,” Herzog said, and he will decide “according to the rules, the law, and my conscience.”

Netanyahu argued that despite his personal desire to continue the trial and prove his innocence, the public interest necessitates a different course. “Closing down the trial will lower the flames of political disagreement,” Netanyahu wrote, adding that Israel’s current security challenges and diplomatic opportunities demand unity.

Herzog responded to Trump that no pardon could be considered unless Netanyahu first formally admits guilt and requests clemency. Netanyahu has ruled out requesting clemency if it requires admitting guilt, and his latest request contained no such admission.

Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, accepting bribes, and breach of trust stemming from three separate police investigations. He denies all wrongdoing.

Netanyahu faces charges in three cases: the Bezeq Affair, where he allegedly granted regulatory benefits to Bezeq in exchange for favorable coverage on the Walla news site; the Yediot Affair, in which he aided publisher Arnon Mozes for positive media coverage; and the Gifts Affair, involving $200,000 in gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan for visa and tax-related assistance. The Gifts Affair is widely regarded as the most serious of the three.

Netanyahu, who was indicted in 2019, has insisted that the trial would not interfere with his public responsibilities.

No serving Israeli prime minister has ever been indicted on criminal charges. Ehud Olmert stepped down in 2008 ahead of his indictment and later served part of a 27-month prison sentence.

prime minister‘s Office:

prime minister Netanyahu to National Security College trainees: “We are turning Israel into a regional power, and in several aspects, a global power. We need very strong defense, independent production capability, and to deepen our relative advantage.”*

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday (Tuesday) with trainees from the National Security College; Major Generals in the IDF and senior officials in the security branches.

The Prime Minister presented to them the crucial decisions throughout the “War of Independence” that led to the transformation of the entire middle east, and answered their questions.

– Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO.

prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 20 January 2026), met with National defense College trainees, including Brigadier Generals in the IDF and senior officials of the security services.

The Prime Minister reviewed the key decisions made throughout the War of Redemption that led to changing the face of the entire Middle East, and answered their questions.
 

They discussed the possibility of advancing a mutual recognition mechanism for securities registration, similar to the Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS) model used in the U.S., which allows for mutual reliance between securities regulators. This would facilitate registration for trading in the US for Israeli companies traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, while reducing regulatory overlap, streamlining reporting procedures, and increasing access to international capital markets for companies.

This represents significant news for the investing public, which will be able to trade securities listed on US exchanges with greater ease and accessibility, while gaining exposure to high-quality, high-value companies. The parties agreed that joint professional teams from the respective securities regulators will meet to examine the feasibility of advancing this model and the regulatory adjustments required for its implementation between Israel and the US

Among those in attendance were National Economic Council Director Prof. Avi Simhon, Israel Securities Authority Director General Oded Spirer and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to National defense College Trainees: “We are turning Israel into a regional power, and in some aspects, a global power. We need a very strong defense, independent production capacity, and to deepen our relative advantage.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, met with National Defense College trainees, including Brigadier Generals in the IDF and senior officials of the security services.

The Prime Minister reviewed the key decisions made throughout the War of Redemption that led to changing the face of the entire Middle East, and answered their questions.
 

Prime Minister Netanyahu to National Security College cadets: “We are turning Israel into a regional superpower, and in some things, a global superpower. We need very strong defense, independent production capability, and to deepen our relative advantage.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with cadets from the National Security College; Major Generals in the IDF and senior officials in the security branches.

The Prime Minister reviewed with them the crucial decisions throughout the “War of Independence” that led to the transformation of the entire Middle East, and answered their questions.

By Pesach Benson • January 19, 2026

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Yonatan Urich, a close adviser to Israeli prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu, was summoned for police interrogation on Monday as part of an expanding investigation into the leak of classified military documents to a German newspaper.

Urich was questioned at Lahav 433, Israel’s national serious crimes unit, in connection with a clandestine nighttime meeting between Eli Feldstein, Netanyahu’s former spokesman, and Tzachi Braverman, the prime minister’s chief of staff. Investigators believe the meeting may have involved efforts to obstruct an internal probe into the leak.

The affair, dubbed “BibiLeaks” by Israeli media, centers on suspicions that sensitive military material was leaked to the German tabloid Bild in 2024 in an attempt to influence Israeli public opinion regarding hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. It is one aspect of the larger “Qatargate” affair: Urich and Feldstein are suspected of accepting payment to promote pro-Qatari narratives to journalists, allegedly aiming to bolster Doha’s image as a mediator in Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations — while working in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Although Urich’s testimony formally focused on the meeting itself, police warned him at the outset that he is considered a suspect in the broader leak investigation, similar to Feldstein.

In an interview with Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, Feldstein described the unusual circumstances of the meeting. He said Braverman summoned him late at night to an underground parking garage at Israel’s main military and defense headquarters in Tel Aviv and demanded that he surrender his phone before speaking.

According to Feldstein, Braverman warned him that an investigation by the Israel Defense Force’s Information Security Department had been launched and was “creeping into the Prime Minister’s Office.” Feldstein further claimed that Braverman read him a list of names of individuals suspected in the affair. One key name, Ari Rosenfeld — later identified as the source of the leak — was allegedly missing from that list.

Feldstein told investigators that he later informed Urich about the meeting. Urich, however, has denied any knowledge of it.

On Sunday, Israel Police told a magistrate’s court that Urich had lied during his interrogations. According to police filings, he “evaded investigators’ questions” and “failed to address them earnestly.”

The investigation has widened in recent days. Police confirmed that a senior IDF officer, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel and formerly serving in the office of then–Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, was questioned under caution on suspicion of obstructing the investigation. The officer, now serving in a different role, was released under restrictive conditions. Halevi himself has also provided testimony, as has the commander of the IDF’s Information Security Unit, which previously conducted an internal inquiry that failed to identify the leaker.

Earlier this week, police appealed to the Central District Magistrate’s Court seeking to extend the suspension of both Braverman and Urich from their roles in the Prime Minister’s Office. The appeal challenged a lower court ruling that described the suspicions against Braverman as weak. Police argued that the court underestimated the risk of obstruction of justice, writing that lifting restrictions “ignores the fear of interference with legal proceedings and the special circumstances of the case.”

Regarding Urich, police said his private correspondence with Feldstein following the Bild publication undermines his claims of ignorance. According to investigators, the messages show Urich actively discussed “the authenticity and importance of the document,” contradicting his assertion that he had never seen or heard of it.

At the heart of the case is the allegation that Braverman told Feldstein during the parking garage meeting that he could “shut down the investigation,” a statement that forms the basis of the obstruction suspicions.

The leak bolstered Netanyahu’s position that military pressure, rather than diplomatic negotiations, would secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Critics argue the document represented an effort by Netanyahu’s office to shift blame onto Hamas for the failure of the talks.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not issued a formal response to the latest developments.

prime minister‘s Office:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday (Sunday) at his office in Jerusalem with the President-elect of Honduras, Nasry “Tito” Asfura.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

“I am happy to welcome you, Mr. President. We are reshaping the relations between Israel and Honduras in accordance with the traditional lines of friendship, but we also want to embrace the future. I welcome you to Jerusalem; this is an ancient city, but also a city that looks forward to innovation and cooperation with you and with the people of Honduras. I look forward to working together with your government in economic fields, as well as in agriculture, technology, and any of the fields before us. You should know, as far as Israel is concerned, the sky is the limit.”

President-elect of Honduras Nasry Asfura:

“Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. I am convinced that in everything you have mentioned, we will be able to implement and also lead for the sake of peace, brotherhood, and the future of our countries.”

prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today at his office in Jerusalem with the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Paul Atkins.

The meeting discussed the possibility of advancing a mechanism for mutual recognition of securities registration, similar to the Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS) model practiced in the U.S., which allows for mutual regulatory reliance between securities authorities. This move is expected to facilitate Israeli companies traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to also register for trading in the U.S., while reducing regulatory duplications, streamlining reporting procedures, and increasing companies’ accessibility to international capital markets.

This is significant news for the investing public, who will be able to trade securities listed on U.S. stock exchanges with ease and accessibility, while gaining exposure to high-quality and valuable companies. The parties agreed that joint professional teams from the securities authorities will meet to examine the feasibility of advancing the model and the necessary regulatory adjustments for its implementation between Israel and the U.S.

Participants in the meeting included, among others, Chairman of the National Economic Council, Prof. Avi Simhon, Director General of the Israel Securities Authority, Oded Shacham, and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.