Israeli elections

Israeli far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attends a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza, on Oct. 21, 2024, calling to establish a new Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know

While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next week, where he is expected to meet with Trump officials.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

What does Netanyahu's judicial law mean for Israel's separation of powers?

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Yesh Atid's Karin Elharar slammed the new composition of the nominating committee for judges, a move, she said, toward the government’s goal of eroding the judiciary's power.

Yair Golan in Tel Aviv on Feb. 2, 2025.

Interview

Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance

In a special interview with Al-Monitor, Yair Golan, leader of center-left party the Democrats, insists that the Palestinian Authority must play a pivotal role in the future administration of Gaza.

Yair Golan

Yair Golan

Chair of the Democrats Party

Israeli soldier and kids use binoculars during a Sukkoth gathering, calling for resettling Gaza with Jewish communities near the border with the Gaza Strip on Oct. 21, 2024 in Southern Border, Israel.

Why Israel's far right is embracing Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Israel's far right is elated by President Donald Trump's calls to drive Gazans away from the Strip and resettle them in other Arab states.

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Analysis

Netanyahu teeters between Trump’s demand to end war, coalition threats

SAEED JARAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Netanyahu goes all in on Trump: Accepts Gaza deal, shifts to Saudi Arabia and Iran

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in a joint statement in the East Room of the White House on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. The news conference was held to announce the Trump administration's plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Why is Sara Netanyahu still in Miami as Israel PM faces health, other crises?

Sara Netanyahu arrives for her husband Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Analysis

Could Trump intervene against ICC arrest warrants to help Netanyahu?

US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(R) at the White House, Washington, DC, Sept. 15, 2020.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (L) and Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant give a joint press conference in Tel Aviv on December 18, 2023. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Austin's wish list to Israel: No occupation of Gaza, no war deadline

Careful not to play into the hands of Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not present Israel with a clear deadline for reducing the scale of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israel's Prime Minsiter Benjamin Netanyahu presents the new government to parliament at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Dec. 29, 2022.

Analysis

Even with Israel at war, Netanyahu is already campaigning for next elections

Signs indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might not step down after the war is over, but rather will run again for the position of Israel’s leader.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) walking during a hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion on January 23, 2023.

Analysis

Between Israel's intelligence failure & corruption trial, will Netanyahu crack?

Opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say the Gaza war proves he should have resigned when first indicted, and not continue leading the country while managing the trial against him.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Merav Michaeli, Israel’s Labor party chief, on Oct. 20, 2022.

Analysis

Why did Israel Labor party chief Merav Michaeli quit politics?

Israeli Labor Chair Merav Michaeli says she will not run on the party ticket at the next elections and will not run at the primaries for the leadership position, as the party needs to heal after its low score in the last 2022 elections.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. Blinken arrived in a show of solidarity after Hamas's surprise weekend onslaught in Israel, an AFP correspondent travelling with him reported. He is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launche

Analysis

Growing US-Israel rift over Gaza war timeline: Will Netanyahu budge?

Sources told Al-Monitor that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed a different timeline than what Israel had in mind to end the war.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (L) and Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert hold a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas s

Analysis

Israel’s Olmert calls for international force to manage post-war Gaza

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says that Israel must withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip once the military operation is over, and he calls for Netanyahu to be replaced immediately — not just when the war is over.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Palestinians amid the destruction following an Israeli strike in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Nov. 1, 2023.

Analysis

Inside Israel’s three ‘day after’ options for Gaza amid government split

Israel had three main options for administering Gaza after its war against Hamas, all with notable obstacles.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 2, 2021 shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the city of Lod early on May 12, 2021 and Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid at the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in Jerusalem on May 31, 2021. - Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid said he had succeeded in forming a coalition to end the rule of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest serving leader.Lapid's announcement came in the final hour before a midnight deadlin

Israel's Netanyahu 'must go now,' says opposition leader Lapid

For the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, opposition leader Yair Lapid said Netanyahu can no longer head the government, arguing that the Israeli public does not trust him.

TOPSHOT - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the budget session at the parliament in Jerusalem on May 23, 2023. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Poll: Only 4% of Israeli Jews find Netanyahu reliable source on Gaza war

According to a recent survey, only 4% of Israeli Jews see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a reliable source of information for the Israel-Hamas war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv on October 28, 2023 amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

Analysis

Will Netanyahu step down after Israel-Hamas war is over?

Opponents of the embattled Prime Minister, and even some of his associates, speculate that he will have to step down once the war with Hamas ends.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Analysis

Snubbed by Russia, Israel and Ukraine draw closer after Hamas attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered little solidarity to Israel over the Hamas attack.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Netanyahu Gantz

Breaking | Last Updated: October 11, 2023, 2:06 pm

Israel’s Netanyahu, Gantz reach deal to form emergency government

On the fifth day of the war with Hamas, the prime minister and the National Unity Party head agreed to form an emergency coalition.