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

A picture shows a electoral banner for Israel's National Unity bloc, which includes the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) led by Defence Minister Benny Gantz (R), and a portrait of Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu (L), in Tel Aviv on October 27, 2022, ahead of the November general elections. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

For Israeli normalization with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu needs new coalition

Israeli and US officials assess that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to get on board opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, if he wants to neutralize his coalition’s extreme members and reach a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

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

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Top Israeli official says country won't block Saudi civil nuclear program

Amid reports that Saudi Arabia is conditioning normalization with Israel on Washington's approval to start a civil nuclear program, a top Israeli official says Israeli support is not out of the question.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

An installation of a crashed Israel Air Force fighter jet is displayed in a protest against the government's judicial reform bill, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 29, 2023.

Analysis

Israel’s army readiness, Air Force cohesion at risk over judicial overhaul rift

Senior IDF officers fear that not only the operational readiness of the soldiers could be damaged by the refusal of reservists to show up for duty, the cohesion and the spirit of the whole army could take a serious blow.

Lilach Shoval

By Lilach Shoval

Soldiers with Israel's Nahal Brigade take part in a military exercise in the Hula Valley, northern Israel, July 10, 2023.

Analysis

Iran on Washington’s mind as concerns over Israel army fissures grow

The joint military drills, continued security dialogue and visit in Israel by the CENTCOM commander, all reflect growing concerns in the United States over the readiness of the IDF.

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

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's new Minister of National Security and leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, greets supporters during a visit to Mahane Yehuda market, Jerusalem, Dec. 30, 2022.

Jordan, Palestinians condemn visit by Israel’s Ben-Gvir to Temple Mount

After two largely-criticized visits since the beginning of the year to the site, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount compound again, on the Jewish holy day of Tisha B’Av.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Amid internal crisis, Israel fights to retain hi-tech industry with tax benefits

The Israeli government has issued a new law to encourage investment in tech startups as firms consider fleeing the country on the back of the judicial overhaul.

Demonstrators clash with Israeli riot police.

Israel's protest movement takes judicial overhaul battle to media, courts

Israel’s main newspapers on Tuesday morning published blacked-out front pages in a coordinated campaign by the protest movement.

Demonstrators gather around a burning flare during a protest rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform plan in Tel Aviv on July 24, 2023. Israeli lawmakers on July 24 approved a key clause of a controversial judicial reform plan that aims to curb the powers of the Supreme Court in striking down government decisions. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel’s enemies gloat, friends concerned over judicial overhaul chaos

While Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah relishes over growing internal rift within the Israeli society, Washington is increasingly concerned and making calls to senior Israeli officials to manage the crisis.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his office in Jerusalem, on June 25, 2023. (Photo by ABIR SULTAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ABIR SULTAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why did Israel’s Netanyahu conceal his heart condition?

The hospitalization of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday morning and the placement of a pacemaker suddenly revealed to Israeli citizens some details on the true health condition of their leader.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance of the Knesset.

Breaking | Last Updated: July 24, 2023, 3:05 pm

Israel’s Knesset adopts first judicial overhaul bill despite US warnings

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heralded the passing at the Knesset plenum of the first bill of his judicial overhaul plan.

Members of Israel's security forces remove protesters blocking the Knesset entrance amid a monthslong wave of protests against the government's planned judicial overhaul, Jerusalem, July 24, 2023.

Israeli protests block Knesset entrance ahead of judicial overhaul vote

President Isaac Herzog is seeking a compromise in order to postpone the expected vote today on the first element of the government’s judicial overhaul plan.

UNESCO D-G Audrey Azoulay and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen

Israel says Saudi Arabia to allow it to attend Riyadh UNESCO event

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay told Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen that the Saudis signed this week a hosting agreement for the 45th World Heritage Committee that should enable the participation of Israeli representatives.