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Israel

July 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:29 am

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Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during a protest against their conscription, Bnei Brak, Israel, July 16, 2024.

Analysis

How Netanyahu's bet on ultra-Orthodox exposes his vulnerability in Israel's upcoming election

The prime minister needs the support of the ultra-Orthodox, who reject mandatory conscription, if he is to have a chance at winning reelection and forming the next government.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

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

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

PA rejects tax funds deducted by Israel

The Palestinian Authority refused Israel’s transfer of deducted tax revenue funds in a bid to recover parts it had earmarked for Palestinian prisoners and families of victims in confrontation with Israel.

A Palestinian woman prays on the first Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City May 10, 2019. REUTERS/ Ammar Awad - RC12461F8A10

Israeli security: Unrest, despair increasing in West Bank

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot warns that sanctions and despair may soon generate an outburst of violence in the West Bank.

Can Golan Heights' vultures be saved?

Faced with poisoning by cattle breeders, the vultures of the Golan Heights are practically extinct, with only five still alive.

Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, leaders of Blue and White party, sit during a news conference in Tel Aviv, Israel April 1, 2019. REUTERS/Corinna Kern - RC1BFEF7E3E0

Two heads pull Israel’s Blue and White in opposite directions

Unlike Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, his colleague Yair Lapid has no intention of keeping low profile.

Netanyahu’s conflict of interest

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s associates are negotiating the composition of the next government, yet they are not hesitating to demand that the future coalition partners support legislation on immunity.

Will killing of Hamas cadre set off chain of assassinations?

Several reports suggest that Israel’s assassination of Hamed al-Khudari, a Hamas cadre accused of funneling funds to the movement, could be the first in a chain of assassinations of Hamas leaders.

New Palestinian party has ties to Israel, seeks PLO reform

President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party promptly attacked the newly launched Reform and Development Party in the West Bank and warned Palestinians to have nothing to do with it.

A worker walks in the new electrical substation near the West Bank city of Jenin July 10, 2017. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini - RC1E2622DFF0

PA wants to break free from reliance on Israeli electricity

Jordan and the Palestinian Authority are about to sign an agreement under which the kingdom would supply electricity to the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony marking the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem May 2, 2019. Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS - RC1803942700

Can Israel’s Blue and White party get people into the street?

If Benjamin Netanyahu’s fifth government takes steps to keep the prime minister from facing a criminal trial, it will be necessary to bring hundreds of thousands of people to Rabin Square to protest at what is happening to Israel’s democracy.

Gaza escalation; a prelude to Hamas-Israel war?

The Israeli army has adopted a new approach vis-a-vis Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, with retaliation against rocket fire and targeted killings.

Israel, Qatar interests merge on Gaza, West Bank

In order to ameliorate its image in Washington, Qatar is now ready to extract Israel from the complicated situation it got into by withholding money from the Palestinian Authority.

Turkey and Palestine maintain strong ties despite US pressures

Turkey is proving to be a strong ally to Palestine despite being a member of NATO and having a long-standing military relationship with Israel, and Palestinian officials are trying to use this relationship to counterpressure the Trump administration and Israel.