'New Covenant': Bennett outlines plan to 'build Israel from scratch' in every major area of life

Bennett said that he has spent the past two years working with professionals in various aspects to build plans addressing the core problems facing the country.

By SHIR PERETS

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett attends a conference at the Academic College in Tel Aviv, January 7, 2026.(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Former Prime Minister and chairman of Together, Naftali Bennett, shared a comprehensive plan detailing the steps he’d take as prime minister to “build Israel from scratch” in a press conference on Tuesday.

Bennett described his plan, named the ‘New Covenant,’ as “a foundational plan to repair the state,” and said he would “fix every major area of life in Israel.”

Israel a la ONU: Autoridad Palestina ha permitido a Irán tener un pie en Judea y Samaria

La Autoridad Palestina ha permitido que Irán se establezca en Judea y Samaria (Cisjordania) y ha apoyado su actividad terrorista allí, advirtió el embajador de Israel ante la ONU en Nueva York, Gilad Erdan, informó The Jerusalem Post.

“La Autoridad Palestina no solo no toma medidas contra el terrorismo, sino que también permite el surgimiento de bastiones terroristas iraníes en áreas como Jenin y Nablus”, dijo Erdan antes de una reunión del Consejo de Seguridad.

Los Emiratos Árabes Unidos junto con Francia, China y Brasil convocaron la reunión después de que las FDI realizaran una operación militar de dos días en Jenin, en la que dijeron que 12 militantes palestinos murieron e infraestructura terrorista fue destruida.

La ONU ha calculado que unos 3.500 palestinos fueron desplazados en esa campaña y que viviendas y comercios fueron destruidos.

A 'stab in the back': Israel's refusal to extend Jordanian water agreement may spark crisis

The 1994 peace treaty signed by Amman and Jerusalem required Israel to supply Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of water annually, an amount doubled in a 2021 commitment that expired in 2025.

By DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Water discharging from a desalination plant into the Zalmon River and into the Sea of Galilee, March 4, 2026.(photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)

Jerusalem’s refusal to extend a water agreement with Amman until it changes its rhetoric on Israel will likely be interpreted as a “stab in the back” after the support Jordan gave Israel during the Iran war, Dr. Ronen Yitzhak, an expert in Israeli-Jordanian relations from the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

The 1994 peace treaty signed by Amman and Jerusalem required Israel to supply Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of water annually. In 2021, during the Naftali Bennett-Yair Lapid government, Israel agreed to double the amount of fresh water it provides to Jordan, one of the world’s most water-deficient countries.

Trump on Lebanon: 'If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone, Syria should do it'

Trump says he considers the Lebanon war a minor one, and an arena in which Syria can take on Hezbollah in partnership with the United States if Israel under Netanyahu cannot be reigned in.

By JONAH DAVIDOV

US President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026.(photo credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS)

"If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone else, Syria should do the job," said US President Donald Trump in a bilateral meeting with the Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday.

Trump says he considers the Lebanon war a minor one, and an arena in which Syria can take on Hezbollah in partnership with the United States if Israel under Netanyahu cannot be reigned in.

Iranians 'have fallen in love with Netanyahu,' Tehran resident tells KAN - report

An Iranian protester told KAN Reshet Bet that many Iranians admire Netanyahu and Israeli strikes, while blaming economic collapse, repression, and inflation for the unrest.

By JAMES GENN

An illustration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in front of a backdrop of Iranian flags flying amid fire from an Israeli strike on Sharan Oil depot, Tehran.(photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA/REUTERS, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently the most popular person in Iran, a Tehran resident told KAN Reshet Bet on Wednesday.

"People have fallen in love with him. People do not trust America or [US President Donald] Trump, but they very much believe in and love Israelis," the Iranian, who was referred to by a pseudonym, said.

UN adds Israeli entities to blacklist of countries that commit sexual violence - exclusive

"Anyone who is able to include Israel on the same list as Hamas terrorists and rapists has no sense of morality," said Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon.

By MATHILDA HELLER

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon speaks about a United Nations decision to add Israeli entities to a blacklist of countries that commit sexual violence in conflict zones. (Credit: Courtesy)

The United Nations has added Israeli entities to a blacklist of countries that commit sexual violence in conflict zones, The Jerusalem Post has learned. The list includes Hamas and other terrorist organizations,

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) will be included on the 2026 list, and other Israeli authorities have entered a monitoring framework for the possibility of future inclusion.

Mossad's new chief Gofman ousts deputy director A. during first week of term

"The head of the Mossad wished to express his deep appreciation to A. for his 22 years of operational service in the Mossad," read a statement by Mossad Director Gofman.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Incoming Mossad Director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman attends a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle of the 7th Armored Brigade at the National Library in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025.(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

The Mossad's new director, Roman Gofman, announced on Saturday that the deputy director, A., was let go after 22 years of service to the organization.

"The head of the Mossad wished to express his deep appreciation to A. for his 22 years of operational service in the Mossad and his significant contribution to the security of the State of Israel," read a statement shared by the Prime Minister's Office.

Bennett-Lapid's Together drops seats as Eisenkot makes gains, Likud becomes largest party - poll

Before Bennett and Lapid merged, their separate lists held 31 seats combined, making the current decline even steeper, a loss of 9 mandates compared to their previous numbers.

By MOSHE COHEN

Israeli current opposition leader Yair Lapid (L) and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett stand together in Tel Aviv on May 12, as they hold their inaugural conference of their ‘Together – Under Bennett’s Leadership’ party for the upcoming national election.(photo credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and current opposition leader Yair Lapid's Together Party experienced a sharp drop in support this week, reaching just 22 seats, a decline of 6 from its peak, according to a Ma’ariv poll published Friday.

Before the Bennett-Lapid merger, their separate lists held 31 seats combined, making the current decline even steeper - a loss of 9 mandates compared to

Netanyahu eyes Caroline Glick for New York diplomatic post - report

The New York consul-general position, which Glick was previously considered for in 2003, is one of Israel’s most sensitive diplomatic posts.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Caroline Glick, International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel attends the FOZ Ambassadors Summit in Jerusalem, December 7, 2025.(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering appointing conservative commentator and adviser Caroline Glick as Israel’s next consul general in New York, replacing Ofir Akunis, N12 reported on Tuesday evening.

Syria building US relations while serving pivotal regional role - analysis

Syria knows that working on ties with Israel will be helpful because the US is very close to Israel and focused on Israeli relations currently.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

A SYRIAN flag is displayed outside the White House following the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 10, 2025.(photo credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

Last November, when US President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the White House, they shared a moment of laughter. Trump had provided the Syrian leader with some of his Trump-branded cologne. “It’s the best fragrance,” he said.

Trump also said some of his brand’s perfumes were for Sharaa’s wife. Trump joked about whether Sharaa had more than one wife. Trump also seemed to spray the male version of the cologne on the Syrian foreign minister.

Rubio imposes sanctions on UN's Albanese over 'political, economic warfare' against Israel, US

"A clear message. Time for the UN to pay attention!" Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar wrote in response.

UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese gives a press conference at the UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark February 5, 2025.(photo credit: Ritzau Scanpix/Ida Marie Odgaard via REUTERS)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, over her efforts to have the International Criminal Court take action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.

“Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated,” Rubio said Wednesday in a post on X/Twitter.

Bennett will overtake Netanyahu if Eisenkot joins merger, poll shows

According to the poll, Likud, led by Netanyahu, would receive 26 seats, while Bennett’s Together Party, which has merged with Lapid, would win 25.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former prime minister Naftali Bennett. (Illustrative)(photo credit: Canva, FLASH90, MARC ISRAEL SELLEM, REUTERS/AMIR COHEN/FILE PHOTO)

As Israel faces political turbulence and continued security uncertainty over the confrontation with Iran, a KAN 11 poll published Tuesday night found that a united Naftali Bennett-Yair Lapid political framework is the only party currently positioned to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud.

According to the poll, Likud, led by Netanyahu, would receive 26 seats, while Bennett’s Together Party, which has merged with Lapid, would win 25. Just behind them is the figure Bennett and Lapid had strongly sought to bring into their ranks: former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot.

Un paso con peso histórico: Israel aprueba sede permanente para la embajada de EE.UU. en Jerusalén

En un movimiento que refuerza décadas de alianza estratégica, Israel aprobó la asignación de terrenos en el Complejo Allenby, en Jerusalén, para la construcción de una embajada permanente de los Estados Unidos, consolidando así un símbolo duradero de la relación entre ambos países.

El anuncio fue realizado conjuntamente por el primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu, el ministro de Asuntos Exteriores Gideon Sa’ar y el ministro de Construcción y Vivienda Haim Katz, quienes calificaron la iniciativa como un “gran movimiento diplomático”.

Las autoridades israelíes subrayaron que este paso tiene sus raíces en la “decisión valiente e histórica” del entonces presidente Donald Trump, quien durante su primer mandato reconoció a Jerusalén como capital de Israel y trasladó la embajada estadounidense a la ciudad.

Yasser Arafat’s legacy: The death of Palestinian statehood - analysis

In many ways, the failure of the Palestinian cause in the last two decades is a result of the decisions of Arafat during the ten years he presided over the Palestinian Authority.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

THEN-PALESTINIAN Authority head and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat gestures during a speech in Ramallah, 2004.(photo credit: AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS)

Yasser Arafat died 20 years ago this month – November 11, 2004 – at the age of 75. He was born in 1929 in Cairo and was active in activism that led to the founding of the Fatah movement in 1959.

Fatah eventually became one of the major Palestinian factions that led to the formation of the Palestinian Authority in 1994.

Where is evidence Iran planned to build nuclear weapons, Russia's Lavrov asks

Lavrov denies Iran's nuclear weapon development, warning the US‑Israel conflict could spur nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

By REUTERS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a meeting in Moscow, March 3, 2026; illustrative.(photo credit: PAVEL BEDNYAKOV/POOL VIA REUTERS)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow had still not seen any evidence that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, amid what he said was "essentially a war" ongoing in the Middle East.

Lavrov told Brunei's foreign minister during talks in Moscow: "We still see no evidence that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, which was the main, if not the only, justification for the war."

From Gaza to Iran, Israel readies space 'surprises' for next conflicts - exclusive

Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities, and now the space industry is moving toward dual-use and commercial roles as well.

Israeli satellite launching into space (photo credit: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE)

Israel is quietly developing new space‑based capabilities designed to give the country an edge in the next war with Iran, Avi Berger, head of the Space Office at the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (MAFAT) told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post.

Speaking during Israel’s Space Week, Berger said the lessons of recent conflicts have pushed Israel to accelerate innovation in orbit.

¿Cómo está Israel reestructurando la defensa antimisiles en Europa?

Foto: Ministerio de Defensa de Israel vía Facebook

La adquisición del Arrow 3 por parte de Alemania sitúa la tecnología israelí en el centro de la emergente arquitectura de defensa antimisiles de Europa, reflejando las lecciones operativas de conflictos recientes y marcando un cambio estratégico en la respuesta europea a las amenazas de los misiles rusos.

Introducción

El Bundestag alemán aprobó formalmente la masiva ampliación de su contrato de defensa con Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) el 17 de diciembre de 2025, autorizando 3.100 millones de dólares adicionales para el sistema de defensa antimisiles Arrow 3 [Jetz 3, en hebreo, o Flecha 3].

Intentionally or not, the US's capture of Maduro is a threat to Iran's regime - analysis

Regardless if a message was meant for Iran by capturing Maduro, Iran is already feeling the sting.

An Iranian crosses a street next to a billboard bearing the portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a quote reads in Persian 'Sing Oh Iran' at the Enqelab Square in Tehran on July, 9, 2025.(photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Whether US President Donald Trump and his administration intended or not to add a warning to the Iranian regime as a side effect to Saturday's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Islamic Regime officials will likely interpret the US military operation as such.

Iran, a longtime ally of Venezuela, has been suffering from civil unrest since Sunday amid a dramatically weakening rial, water shortages, and a regime with a weakened image after the 12-day war with the US and Israel. Riots and protests have persisted as the Islamic regime has cracked down, but in

Mansour Abbas says Ra'am will split from Shura Council, Muslim Brotherhood

Ra'am chair Mansour Abbas said his party will separate from the Shura Council and the Muslim Brotherhood, following US moves against the Islamist organization.

Ra'am party head MK Mansour Abbas leads a faction meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on November 24, 2025.(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

Ra'am (United Arab List) chair MK Mansour Abbas announced that his party would separate from the Shura Council and Muslim Brotherhood during a Saturday interview with Channel 12's Meet the Press.

The United Arab List would establish independent institutions to fill any gaps left by the proposed split.

Spanish bank chairman apologizes after Israeli clients report account restrictions

Banco Sabadell’s chairman apologized after Israeli clients in Spain reported account restrictions and delayed transfers, saying revised procedures followed an internal compliance misunderstanding.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

The Banco Sabadell logo can be seen behind leaves on top of a building outside Madrid, Spain, April 13, 2016.(photo credit: REUTERS/Andrea Comas)

A major Spanish bank chairman apologized for what he described as an internal compliance misunderstanding after Israeli clients in Spain reported account restrictions and delayed transfers linked to new government measures.

In a letter revealed by The Jerusalem Post, Banco Sabadell chairman Josep Oliu wrote to President Isaac Herzog expressing support for Israel and saying the bank had revised its procedures after some internal teams’ early handling may have created the wrong impression about its treatment of Israeli customers.