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Israel

July 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 9:30 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

Rockets are fired from Gaza towards Israel, in Gaza May 5, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1917143790

What’s behind recent escalation between Gaza, Israel?

Egypt and Qatar broker a cease-fire following the deaths of 27 Palestinians and four Israelis, but will the blockade on Gaza ease as a result?

Israel wants to strengthen, annex West Bank settlements

Israel will offer investors grants to build hotels in West Bank settlements, which reflects Israel’s intention to annex more parts of the West Bank.

Natural history, conservation and politics meet in West Bank museum

The Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability bring Israeli and Palestinians together to preserve knowledge about the ecology, environment and cultivation of Palestine.

Different faiths, shared sites explored in Istanbul

An exhibition in Istanbul sheds light on religious sites and pilgrimages sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews alike, a phenomenon that is not widely known but is quite common in the Mediterranean region.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, speaks during a discussion on "Inside the Trump Administration's Middle East Peace Effort" at a dinner symposium of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) in Washington, U.S., May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RC1B17280EE0

Kushner rejects calls to delay release of Mideast peace plan

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said Thursday the Trump administration would issue its Middle East peace plan, though several regional experts have argued that the plan's release would cause more harm.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a session of the weekly cabinet meeting, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank April 29, 2019. Majdi Mohammed/Pool via REUTERS - RC1F5F1B5D10

Abbas needs to dismantle the PA

Instead of playing into Benjamin Netanyahu's policy of treating the Oslo Accords like a final agreement, the Palestinian leadership should dismantle the Palestinian Authority and hand the keys back to Israel.

Palestinian rift endangers opposition to US peace plan

Backers of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say the ongoing Palestinian division will only weaken efforts to defy the US peace plan, which is expected to be announced soon.

How long can PA keep borrowing money from Palestinian banks?

The Palestinian government announced its decision to pay 60% of the salaries of public employees, which could be achieved under a plan to borrow money from local banks to confront the financial crisis caused by Israel's deduction from clearing funds for the PA.

Labourers work on the construction of the stage and setting where this year's Eurovision Song Contest shows will be hosted at the Expo Tel Aviv, Israel April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC177BA01C00

Israel fears Islamic Jihad will ruin Eurovision

Israel fears that escalation in the Gaza Strip and rockets by Islamic Jihad will chase away the thousands of tourists expected to come to Tel Aviv for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Part of an election campaign billboard depicting Moshe Kahlon, Israeli finance minister and leader of Kulanu party, is seen in Tel Aviv, Israel April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1CCF67A810

Israel’s finance minister gets second chance

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon is bitter over what he sees as voter disloyalty, but his party still has four Knesset seats that will enable him to keep his job.

Israel, Hamas hesitant over Islamic Jihad provocations

On the backdrop of attempts to reach an arrangement with Hamas and ahead of an especially sensitive month, Israel minimizes retaliation against the provocations of Islamic Jihad.

How the Holocaust became part of Israel’s identity

Over the years, the memory of the Holocaust has shaped the new Israeli identity with notions of victimhood rather than lessons of tolerance.