The 14:00 report · 2.11.2026
The Israeli political and judicial arenas are at the center of reports at this hour, alongside market movements and shifts ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. While the testimony of the former attorney general continues in court, coalition talks and related legal proceedings draw focus in parallel with political trends overseas.
Mandelblit in Testimony: Did Not Authorize Probing Netanyahu–Israel Hayom Ties
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in court today that he did not authorize investigative leads examining ties between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the newspaper Israel Hayom. Mandelblit appeared for the eighth day of his testimony, during which Netanyahu's defense attorney, Amit Hadad, argued that Mandelblit's signature had been copied onto the amended indictment. Following the judges' decision to limit the continuation of the questioning, Hadad announced he would conclude it tomorrow, earlier than the two additional days he had initially estimated. The development marks progress in the cross-examination of one of the trial's key witnesses.
Report: Likud Maintains Contact with Ra'am; Party Responds to Claims
Journalist Mohammad Magadli reported that senior Likud officials and associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been holding contacts with Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas since the polls closed, asserting that the channel between the parties "never closed," despite public opposition across the right and Likud to any cooperation. The report comes after Naftali Bennett announced he would recommend Gadi Eisenkot to form the government, alongside indications that Ra'am and the Joint List also plan to recommend Eisenkot, and while Netanyahu has sought to solidify his bloc by publicly addressing Shas leader Aryeh Deri as an essential partner. Following the publication, Likud issued an initial response, illustrating the intricate maneuvering over potential allies ahead of consultations at the President's Residence.
Check Point Shares Tumble in Premarket Trading After Q3 Earnings
Shares of Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point dropped sharply in pre-market trading on Wall Street following the release of its third-quarter financial results. According to reports, the stock declined by 10.6% to 12% in early trading following lukewarm results. Investors also reacted to statements indicating that the company's business turnaround is taking longer than expected, signaling capital market pressure on the company amid ongoing operational adjustments.
Court Lifts Restrictions on Suspect in Alleged Ra'am Vote-Buying Case
A court has lifted the house arrest and all restrictive conditions imposed on Saeed Abu Saad, a suspect in an alleged election bribery and vote-buying case tied to the Ra'am party. Abu Saad had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in an affair involving envelopes of cash allegedly linked to the party, but was released home without conditions following the court's decision. The ruling comes as the political system closely monitors Ra'am's position in ongoing coalition talks, marking a notable shift in the police proceedings.
US Poll: Democrats Lead in Key Senate Battleground States
A new poll by The New York Times shows the Democratic Party leading in several key states ahead of the U.S. Senate midterm elections. According to the findings, Democrats could secure an upset in Texas by electing a Democratic senator there for the first time in nearly 40 years, with indications of possible Republican losses in two traditional strongholds. To secure a Senate majority, Democrats must successfully defend all their current seats while winning at least four seats currently held by Republicans, underscoring an intense contest for legislative control.
Written automatically from the Tevel reports linked in it.