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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 23, 2026

Tel Aviv 11:45 pm

21°C

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Pakistan military chief holds Iran talks, Israel's Netanyahu fears being left out

US President Donald Trump's comment that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do "whatever I want” is troubling the premier's inner circle ahead of the elections in October.

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

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Ireland joins EU push to ban trade with Israeli settlements amid flotilla backlash

European frustration with Israel intensified this week after a far-right Israeli minister posted a video of the mistreatment of international activists detained in the country.

Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images

Israel targets Turkey charity amid Gaza flotilla tensions

The request, published in Israeli media, marks a further escalation in tensions with Turkey amid disputes over Gaza aid operations.

Latest News

Interview

Ahmad Tibi says Arab parties in Israel can block Netanyahu without joining next government

Arab-Israeli Knesset member Ahmed Tibi takes part in a demonstration against rising crime rates against Arab-Israelis in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 31, 2026.

Ahmad Tibi

Ahmad Tibi

Israeli Arab lawmaker

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

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

Did Trump’s Jerusalem decision revive support for Palestine?

US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has put the Palestinian cause back in the forefront after years of neglect in light of other regional crises.

U.S. President Donald Trump displays an executive order after he announced the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC1C3DD4DEC0

Iran's hard-liners aren't only ones empowered by Trump's Jerusalem move

Trump’s Jerusalem announcement is only the latest in a series of missteps that have empowered various camps in Iran, including that of Rouhani.

Jerusalem, missile defense dominate Putin's quick Turkey visit

During his speed visit to the region, Putin stopped over in Ankara to discuss Trump's Jerusalem move with Erdogan as well as moving forward with the sale of the S-400 missile defense system to Turkey.

Islamic Jihad pushes Hamas into corner

After Trump’s Jerusalem declaration Hamas found itself in a Catch-22: While it wants to avoid clashes with Israel, it also does not want the public to view it as hindering armed action in response.

A picture taken on November 16, 2017, shows an Israeli soldier driving a tank at an army position overlooking southern Lebanon in the northern Israeli town of Metula, along Israel's border with Lebanon. / AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Israeli women take over IDF tanks

The religious Zionist movement objects to the Israeli army's decision to train female soldiers as tank crews.

Netanyahu prepares for day after police indictment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already prepared his public strategy in case the police recommend his indictment for accepting bribes.

Iran's envoy in Jordan: Support for Hezbollah maintains Arab security

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Mojtaba Ferdosipour discusses regional developments, including accusations against Iran of supporting terrorism in the Arab world.

A line of hikers walk towards a semi-permanent, plastic-wrapped structure in a hillside, Bedouin nomad settlement , near Nachal (or Nahal Og), in the Judean Desert, West Bank, Israel, February 13, 2016. . (Photo by Dan Porges/Getty Images)

Israel continues to expand in West Bank through new tourist route

The Israeli government approved the construction of a new tourist route that would pass through the West Bank to the Syrian Golan Heights, raising fears among Palestinians about Israel’s attempts to maintain a permanent presence in occupied territories.

A demonstrator holds up a sign at a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's Jerusalem declaration, that reads "From the journalists to Sisi: Jerusalem is Arab" in front of the Syndicate of Journalists in Cairo, Egypt December 7, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RC1FEABD05A0

Sisi performs balancing act in wake of Trump's Jerusalem move

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been careful to strike a delicate balance between allowing public condemnation of Trump's decision and not letting protests get out of hand.

Can Europe-Netanyahu gap be bridged?

Visiting Paris and Brussels, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was confronted with objections to President Donald Trump's Jerusalem proclamation, but he also heard that Europe won't initiate a peace plan of its own.

Will Erdogan’s Jerusalem campaign succeed?

Erdogan’s supporters are among those who fear his vociferous campaign against the United States and Israel will leave him disappointed and regionally isolated.

Liberman intensifies campaign against Israeli Arabs

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has renewed his struggle against religious coercion and Israeli Arabs as part of a campaign to regain relevancy and strengthen his political standing.