Naftali Bennett brings former Netanyahu adviser on settlement affairs to fill new position in his office targeting wildcat building in Israel-controlled Area C of West Bank

New laser system to be tested over coming year, is meant to complement the Iron Dome air defense system to shoot down incoming rockets, drones

Sephardic leader also claims his filmed comments calling some former Soviet Union 'religion-hating gentiles' were 'distorted by politically interested sources'

Netanyahu says Yitzhak Yosef's reference to 'religion-hating gentiles' is 'outrageous and inappropriate'; Liberman decries 'anti-Semitic and racist' remarks

Yitzhak Yosef questions state conversions, drawing rebuke from Netanyahu; other politicians call for his resignation, urge AG to open incitement probe

Opposition heavyweights willing to 'fight' Edelstein if he holds up creation of committee that would likely reject PM's bid to avoid prosecution

Limor Livnat says PM's backers 'blindly' follow him 'through fire and water'; calls on lawmakers not to vote out of fear on his request for protection from corruption prosecution

By laying the groundwork for parliament to save him from prosecution, the PM turned March's national vote into more than a referendum on his rule and his legal troubles

The prime minister has either put off his court appearance by a few months at best, or pushed Israel toward a constitutional crisis, or both

Liberman says Netanyahu only interested in protection, MK says party will back setting up panel to reject request; Gantz says Netanyahu 'knows he's guilty'