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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 14, 2026

Tel Aviv 6:19 pm

30°C

Jewish settlement of Kedumim, in the West Bank

Analysis

Europe’s West Bank trade ban fires warning shot at Israel’s economy

Weeks before key Israeli elections, a dozen nations announced new trade restrictions targeting settlements in the West Bank, delivering a sharp rebuke to Israel's government that could presage additional international pressure.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Erik Marmor

Analysis

Once Netanyahu’s top challenger, Bennett loses ground to Eisenkot: What to know

Facing the popular Gadi Eisenkot, the Together party of former premiers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid is sinking in Israeli opinion polls.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of Israeli strikes that targeted the hilltops of the mountainous area of the strategic Ali al-Taher Ridge on Aug. 14, 2026.

Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in Ali al-Taher ridge: What to know

The ridge has become a flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon due to its extensive tunnel network Israel says is utilized by the Iran-backed group.

Chaim Goldberg / AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack

The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords.

Latest News

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

TOPSHOT - Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

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

12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements

West Bank settlements

Katz warns PA against 'Oct. 7-style' attack as West Bank violence rises

Israeli soldiers take positions during a military operation in the town of Qalqiya, in the occupied West Bank, Dec. 4, 2025.

Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south

An excavator digs as rescuers search for survivors amid the rubble following an overnight Israeli airstrike on the village of Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, Sept. 7, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Israel's former defence minister Amir Peretz pauses during news conference in Tel Aviv, January 31, 2008, following the presentation of the Winograd Commission findings on Wednesday. Israeli newspapers forecast Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's survival on Thursday after a report criticised the army and his government's conduct during a 2006 war in Lebanon but offered him a political reprieve. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen (ISRAEL) - GM1DXDWEZZAA

Will Peretz's gamble pay off for Labor or bury it?

Labor Party chair Amir Peretz knows he needs to peel off voters from other parties and blocs, but does he have enough time?

Chinese construction workers work during a media tour of the construction of a new port in the southern city of Ashdod, Israel April 12, 2016. The new port in Ashdod together with another one in Haifa are both under construction and are planned to start operating at the end of 2021. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - D1AESXYHZNAA

Pentagon repeats warning to Israel on Chinese port deal

The Donald Trump administration is repeating warnings to Israel to cancel a potentially lucrative port deal with China.

What Israel-Hamas deal looks like

In the framework of the Egypt-mediated deal between Israel and Hamas, the latter has promised to keep the demonstrations away from the border fence and under control.

Blue and White champions Israeli sovereignty over Jordan Valley

The declarations by Blue and White leader Benny Gantz in favor of perpetuating Israel’s occupation of the Jordan Valley are a cynical ploy to attract right-wing voters, but they erode his support for the two-state solution.

Israel’s economy victim of election campaign

Israeli politicians prefer to ignore the implications of two election campaigns in one year on the market and the state deficit, which could harm the country’s credit rating.

A passenger stands in the departure hall at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, during a strike by airline workers, April 22, 2013. Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved an open skies agreement to boost airline traffic to and from Europe, defying a strike by workers at El Al and two smaller airlines who fear the greater competition with foreign airlines will cost them jobs. REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS TRANSPORT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CIVIL UNREST) - GM1E94M17SC01

Airport inspection in Israel a nightmare for Israeli-Arabs

Instead of apologizing to Ambassador Reda Mansour for humiliating his family, Ben-Gurion International Airport authorities continued to justify their behavior.

Likud seniors cowed by Netanyahu, but for how long?

Senior members of Likud are considering various scenarios for the day after the Sept. 17 election while their party leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to try to ensure that he will be the only member the party considers putting forth to form a government.

Are Palestinian construction permits Israel's way to annex Area C?

Palestinians decry the Israeli Cabinet issuing construction permits to Palestinians in Area C, considering that Israel does not have the right to allow or prevent Palestinian construction, and believe the scheme is to annex Area C to its territory.

Israel concerned over dire economy, unrest in West Bank

The growing number of Palestinians involved in "popular terrorism" is evidently linked to Israel’s decision to deduct payments to Palestinian prisoners from the tax revenues of the Palestinian Authority.

Blue and White clash as campaign messaging diverges

Yair Lapid is already preparing for the day after the elections by campaigning against the ultra-Orthodox in a sign that he may quit the Blue and White Party if it loses.

Itamar Ben-Gvir from the Jewish Power party, attends a hearing at Israel's Supreme court in Jerusalem March 13, 2019. Picture taken March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1D8390EA30

Legitimization of racist party sullies Israel’s reputation

Israel’s reputation has been sullied by the courting of Itamar Ben-Gvir, a disciple of the racist Rabbi Meir Kahane, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Right leader Ayelet Shaked in the run-up to Knesset elections in September.

Israeli Air Force F-35 flies during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1B826A4350

Tinderbox: Israeli military attacks in Iraq could complicate US strategy in Middle East

Washington may need to draw some red lines to protect its larger regional interests.