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

Israel cover image

Israel

July 21, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:22 am

26°C

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC, July 19, 2026.

Israel to withdraw from Lebanon’s pilot zones ahead of Aoun-Trump meeting

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Sunday during the first part of his four-day visit to Washington.

Flags of Spain and Argentina

Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

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

Latest News

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

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.

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

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.

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)

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

A man walks past a Likud election campaign billboard, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem February 4, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1275660830

Netanyahu trapped between Trump, allies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs his far-right coalition against his impending indictment even more than his friendship with US President Donald Trump.

Israel says Hamas using imported goods to launder money

An Israeli news report claims Hamas is funneling funds into the Palestinian territories by importing goods and reselling them for a profit.

Israel accuses Islamic Jihad of obstructing Gaza truce

Israel is accusing the Palestinian Islamic Jihad of seeking to destabilize the security situation in Gaza in a bid to obstruct the Egyptian-brokered understanding concluded with Hamas.

Trump administration accuses Iran of potential new nuclear violations

An annual State Department report says Tehran may have violated the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

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

Jerusalem District Court now at the government’s service

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked will soon be leaving the Justice Ministry, but her legacy will live on in eliminating the Supreme Court's authority over Palestinian petitions involving land confiscations on the West Bank.

Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett (R) and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, from the Jewish Home party, enter the room before delivering their statements in Tel Aviv, Israel December 29, 2018. REUTERS/Corinna Kern - RC1ACF62D4E0

The 'Bennett and Shaked' brand: Israel's political stars fall to earth

Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked thought their New Right party would further their already substantial political success, but instead they find themselves in "total shock" over not surpassing the Knesset vote threshold.

130 - Tunis man 001

Israel's traditional costumes display diversity

From the many Jewish costumes that arrived to Israel, the ones still worn most are those of wedding ceremonies.

Palestinians have little leverage against Israeli annexation

Amid Benjamin Netanyahu’s election victory and their deeply entrenched divisions, the Palestinians seem to have little chance to stand firm in the face of Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

Israeli forces patrol as they search for a Palestinian gunman near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC164DE6ED80

Palestinians fear nothing will stop Israel’s annexation of West Bank

Following the Israeli prime minister's vow to annex West Bank settlements, Palestinians say moves to claim their land have long been a grim reality, even before the electoral promises.

A youth takes a selfie with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara after they voted in Israel's parliamentary election in Jerusalem April 9, 2019. Ariel Schalit/Pool via REUTERS *** Local Caption *** - RC18AF446110

Digital Netanyahu gets supports of young Israelis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is often compared to President Donald Trump, but contrary to the American leader, Netanyahu enjoys large support among the youth.

More settlements, no peace

Rampant settlement construction has got to stop for any Mideast peace plan to be feasible.

As hunger strike ends, Gaza arrangement proceeds

Now that the Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike has ended, safely reelected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can move forward with an arrangement with Hamas.