Israeli elections

Gadi Eisenkot

Analysis

Inside Netanyahu's bet on divided opposition to secure another term

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing better in public opinion polls this week, but he is still far from securing a majority in the upcoming elections.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Israeli army vehicles move to a position in southern Lebanon, March 27, 2026.

Analysis

Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections

Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump face fateful elections this fall, but one needs progress in Lebanon while the other wants more of the same.

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

lia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan while quietly implementing it

Even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he rejects US President Donald Trump’s Gaza reconstruction plan, Israel is advancing its implementation.

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

Sharren Haskel speaks at an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Oct. 16, 2025.

Interview

Israel's deputy FM, Sharren Haskel, bets on a new right after breaking with Netanyahu

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel resigned from her position shortly before the Knesset dispersed and has formed a new party opposed to exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military service.

Latest News

Analysis

Netanyahu’s Gaza double game: Back Trump, reassure Israel’s right

Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images

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

Analysis

No Iran commitment, no Trump endorsement: Netanyahu leaves US empty-handed

US President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2026. President Trump is traveling to Camp David in Maryland to hold a cabinet meeting and later to Bedminster, New Jersey to spend the weekend at his golf club. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Analysis

Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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

On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

Trump Netanyahu

(L to R) Israel's outgoing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with his successor, incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, after a special session to vote on a new government at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on June 13, 2021.

Netanyahu era ends as Naftali Bennett sworn-in as Israel’s new PM

Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett was sworn-in late Sunday as Israel’s 13th prime minister, ending 12 years of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rule, and introducing a large new government composed of parties from the right, the center and the left.

Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

Israeli opposition parties finalize agreements to unseat Netanyahu

The broad alliance signed deals ahead of Sunday's vote of confidence in the incoming Israeli government.

This combination of pictures shows (L to R) leader of Israel's Yesh Atid party Yair Lapid and leader of the Yamina party Naftali Bennett, arriving at the president's residence, Jerusalem, May 5, 2021.

Can Lapid-Bennett coalition keep it together?

Eight years after an alliance was forged between Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, that brotherhood is getting the latter into the prime minister's seat.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks during a press conference at the Knesset, Jerusalem, Nov. 14, 2018.

Israel’s new finance minister up against ultra-Orthodox

The new finance minister-to-be Avigdor Liberman pushes with all his political might to exclude the ultra-Orthodox from the new government.

Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman gives a statement ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Jerusalem, Feb. 16, 2020.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox go to opposition, furious with PM-designate

Relegated to the opposition benches and about to lose both budgets and political influence, the ultra-Orthodox parties are angrily attacking Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett.

Jewish prayer walk Muslim Quarter Jerusalem

Controversial Jerusalem flag march postponed until after new government sworn in

The controversial flag march in Jerusalem, organized annually by the Israeli right and religious Zionism, will not be held until after the new government is sworn in.

This file photo taken on Dec. 26, 2019 shows a general view of the Blue Nile river as it passes through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), near Guba in Ethiopia.

The Takeaway: US looks to Gulf to help break deadlock in Nile Dam dispute

Egypt, Ethiopia reshape security alignments in Horn of Africa; Erdogan readies for make-or-break summit with Biden; Lapid emerges as arbiter of Israeli politics; Israeli Arab community split on coalition government; update on Gaza.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Could Netanyahu be banned from running for PM again?

Members of the new coalition are pushing forward legislation that would effectively ban Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running again for the job.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli lawmakers to vote on anti-Netanyahu government Sunday

Parliament speaker Yariv Levin announced the Knesset will hold a vote of confidence this weekend, to be followed by the swearing-in of the new government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Lapid, not Bennett, to be strongman of Israel’s next government

Naftali Bennett might be the first to serve as prime minister, but alternate Yair Lapid will be the strongman of Israel’s new cabinet.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Health Ministry-organized appreciation ceremony for health-care system personnel and partner agencies for their contribution during the coronavirus pandemic, Jerusalem, June 6, 2021.

Will Netanyahu fan flames or accept public’s verdict?

Will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept the verdict of the Israeli public, or will he try to ignite the flames one last time, before the new government is sworn in?

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Knesset speaker refuses to set inauguration date

Members of the new coalition are furious with Knesset speaker Yariv Levin for not setting a date for the government to be sworn in.