Israel - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Israel cover image

Israel

May 15, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:42 pm

21°C

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

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

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel."

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

Analysis

Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

While Israeli and Lebanese delegations are set to meet in Washington for the third time, the Israeli military faces a growing threat from Hezbollah’s cheap yet highly lethal drones.

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

Latest News

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 2026.

Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy

Ronen Zvulun / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

How Israel is feeding fire of US-Iran escalation

Instead of stoking the fire and congratulating US President Donald Trump over the killing of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should look at the larger picture.

Russian military personnel attend a memorial service for the late Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, at the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, January 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yamam Al Shaar - RC2Q9E9GR7ZS

How Soleimani’s assassination could affect Iran’s Syria strategy

Iran could use its position in Syria to strike against the United States and Israel as part of Tehran's retaliation for last week's killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

As US-Iran conflict heats up, Hamas finesses Tehran’s expectations

The escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States is threatening to force Hamas to take action in support of Tehran, endangering the chances for an arrangement with Israel.

TEHRAN, IRAN - SEPTEMBER 18 : Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, Iran on September 18, 2016. (Photo by Pool / Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Israel’s security chiefs fear possible Iran war

Israel’s defense sector lauded the killing of Qasem Soleimani, but is bracing for an aggressive reaction by Iran and an escalation of regional tensions.

Palestinians wary of ICC call for probe into Israeli war crimes

Palestinians received with skepticism the announcement by the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor that an investigation should be launched to document war crimes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while some believe it could herald change if it is followed by concrete actions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen following the signing of a deal with Greece and Cyprus to build the EastMed subsea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe, at the Zappeion Hall in Athens, Greece, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2T7E9ZMP7A

Will Netanyahu's survival campaign tear up Israeli society?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to delegitimize Israel’s judicial system, saying that only the judgment by the "people" matters.

Multibillion-dollar lawsuit in Israel against Arab Bank

Israeli casualties of terrorism sue the Jordan-based Arab Bank over its alleged assistance to terror groups.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on after lighting a Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's old city, December 22, 2019. Sebastian Scheiner/Pool via REUTERS - RC2I0E9GDB8Y

Intel: How Netanyahu plans to hold onto power despite bribery charges

Facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Israeli parliament for immunity.

Netanyahu boasts about Israel’s situation, ignores security negligence

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasts about Israel’s excellent economic and security situation, but the truth is that its urban spaces are exposed to attacks from the outside.

How Ramallah is resolving electricity crisis

The Ramallah-based government pledged to pay the Jerusalem District Electricity Company the monthly electricity bills on behalf of the refugees in 13 camps, in addition to their accumulated debt, in a step that would end the company's debt and increase hours of supply.

Here are Hamas’ five strategic goals for 2020

Sami Khater, a member of the Hamas political bureau, revealed Dec. 24 his movement’s five strategic goals for 2020.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Regional Cooperation, Tzachi Hanegbi and Cabinet Secretary Tzahi Braverman attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israel, December 29, 2019. Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS - RC2Z4E90F3NM

Immunity question places rule of law at heart of Israeli election campaign

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's quest for immunity from prosecution will dominate the upcoming election campaign, with rule of law at stake in Israel.