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July 17, 2026

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a session of the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on July 16, 2026, before the start of the election recess ahead of the Oct. 27 general election.

Analysis

Trump's ‘180-degree reversal’ on Lebanon, Syria leaves Netanyahu with few options before elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes an Israeli withdrawal from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon will help ease tensions with President Donald Trump.

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

US Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Wisconsin Air National Guard facility at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on July 8, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Vance says Israeli intelligence had ties to Epstein: What to know

Vice President JD Vance has grown more critical of Israel, possibly in an effort to capitalize on changing views among voters with an eye on the 2028 presidential election.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on July 5, 2026.

Israeli PM Netanyahu 'will not travel' to US next week, his office says

On Wednesday, an Israeli official had told Al-Monitor that Netanyahu was planning to travel on Saturday and meet with President Donald Trump next week and attend the memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Latest News

Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know

BEIRUT, LEBANON - OCTOBER 13: Lebanese people wave flags and hold portraits of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (not pictured) as he arrives in southern suberb of Beirut on October 13, 2010 in Lebanon. The controversial visit is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah. According to reports Mr Ahmadinejad may visit the border with Israel - the site of recent deadly clashes between Israeli and Lebanese forces. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

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

Explainer

Israel's next election: Who's leading in polls and what's at stake?

Israelis turn out to cast their ballots on election day for the 20th Knesset on March 17, 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

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

Hezbollah, Israel opt for de-escalation

Both the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and Israel seemed to be avoiding confrontation despite the latest round of violence.

A Jewish worshipper policeman prays in Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus early July 4, 2011. Israeli troops escorted buses with Jewish worshippers to the tomb in coordination with the Palestinian forces that control Nablus to let Jews pray on the day when it is believed Joseph died, at the site believed to be the burial place of the biblical patriarch Joseph. REUTERS/Nir Elias (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION CIVIL UNREST) - GM1E7740WG601

Jewish heritage in the West Bank, a tool of Israel’s right

Education Minister Rafi Peretz announced that he plans to expand school trips to Jewish heritage sites in the West Bank, generating angry reactions from politicians from the center-left.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and White House Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt attend the opening of an ancient road at the City of David, a popular archaeological and tourist site in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem June 30, 2019. Tsafrir Abayov/Pool via REUTERS - RC167D6216D0

Will Greenblatt’s resignation hurt Netanyahu?

Seniors in the Netanyahu government regret the resignation of US special envoy Jason Greenblatt, whom Jerusalem considers an ally within the Trump administration.

An Israeli-Arab woman prepares to casts her ballot as Israelis vote in a parliamentary election, at a polling station in Umm al-Fahm, Israel April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1E94535020

Netanyahu: The art of Arab vote suppression

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing legislation to allow cameras in polling stations in Arab communities in an attempt to suppress the vote there and improve Likud's chances of emerging with at least one more Knesset seat than the Blue and White in Sept. 17 elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks during a state memorial ceremony at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, a shrine holy to Jews and Muslims, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank September 4, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC12D72FA830

Netanyahu’s chaos strategy

If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fails to pass a law for installing cameras in Israeli-Arab polling stations, and if he loses the elections, he plans to cry out the election results were falsified.

Palestinians in Jordan Valley want more to remain in their land

The Palestinian government announced its intention to offer grants for graduates seeking a job in the Jordan Valley with the aim to encourage Palestinian presence in the area, which is highly coveted by Israel.

Benny Gantz, head of Blue and White party speaks at an election campaign event in Ramat Gan, Israel on July24, 2019. (Photo by Gili Yaari/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Blue and White dumps ultra-Orthodox; tries to make up with secularists

Two weeks ahead of elections on Sept. 17, Blue and White has changed its strategy to regain and broaden support among secularists after realizing it has been 'hemorrhaging votes,' mainly to Avigdor Liberman.

Why is Hamas reshuffling its security apparatus in Gaza?

Hamas sources have told Al-Monitor that operations against Israel by individuals operating independently are what led the movement to make major changes in the ranks of its security forces in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with with far-right Zehout (identity) political party chairman Moshe Feiglin (L) during a joint press statement in Ramat Gan, near the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on August 29, 2019. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Netanyahu back to free market principles?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might favor returning to a free market economy, as advocated by his new political partner Moshe Feiglin, but his ultra-Orthodox allies are bound to object that.

06 February 2019, Lebanon, Beirut: Supporters of Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian Lebanese Islamist political party and militant group, wave flags of Iran and Hezbollah during a rally to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Islamic Revolution which toppled Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa (Photo by Marwan Naamani/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Israel should negotiate solution to Hezbollah, not depend on deterrence

Just like on the Palestinian front, Israel can change the way it handles its conflict with Lebanon by making a serious attempt to advance a solution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends an event marking 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shomron Local Council in the Jewish settlement of Revava in the Israeli-occupied West Bank July 10, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1BDEEA11C0

Netanyahu’s deal of the century: Immunity in exchange for annexation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised the settlers “sovereignty” ahead of the elections, meaning full annexation of the territories, while their representatives say they will grant him immunity in exchange.

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem January 27, 2019. Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS - RC1BC15602A0

Netanyahu at the mercy of the politician he loathes most

Over the last few years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has watched the politician he loathes most — Rightward party leader Ayelet Shaked — become increasingly popular.