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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 24, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:08 am

20°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

Was Trump's Jerusalem declaration a honey trap?

The presentation of a serious US blueprint for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on a permanent status arrangement is the only hope of saving the peace process.

Arab leaders plan major response to Trump's Jerusalem move

As public anger has yet to subside over Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Palestine are meeting to discuss actions to be taken in this regard.

Israel warns Hamas against a new intifada

The Israel Defense Forces destroyed a Gaza tunnel this week as a signal and warning to Hamas not to open a new intifada against Israel.

How Israel is bringing an end to Hamas' tunnels

With a combination of intelligence and cutting-edge technology, Israel is developing a new system for not only detecting but quietly destroying Hamas' tunnels.

Palestinians stand on the razed home of a Palestinian militant in Jabel Mukaber, in an area of the West Bank that Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed to the city of Jerusalem, October 6, 2015. Israeli forces destroyed the homes of two Palestinian militants and sealed off part of a third in Jerusalem on Tuesday, in a crackdown launched by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after four Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks. The Israeli military said in a statement it had demolished the family home o

Jerusalemites forced to destroy own homes

Some hapless Palestinian builders in Jerusalem are demolishing their own unpermitted homes to avoid paying the enormous demolition costs charged by the Israeli authorities.

Palestinian protesters hurl stones towards Israeli troops during clashes as Palestinians call for a "day of rage" in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah December 8, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC1AB20A9440

Clashes escalate across Palestine in response to Trump's Jerusalem move

Following US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Palestinians took took to the streets in protest for a second day as clashes with Israeli forces increased.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron in the West Bank city of Ramallah September 7, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamed Torokman - GF10000196423

Europe might step in if Trump's Mideast initiative fails

If the Middle East initiative of US President Donald Trump fails, French President Emmanuel Macron could launch his own initiative for a two-state solution in 2018.

Trump's Jerusalem move may prove blessing for Erdogan

While Trump’s Jerusalem statement provided Erdogan an opportunity to present himself as the leader and spokesman of the Muslim world, the move could further polarize the region and destabilize Turkey.

Can Israel contain violence after Trump's proclamation?

After President Donald Trump's announcement that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had no choice but to ensure that Fatah's reconciliation with Hamas succeeds.

Finance minister takes hit as Israelis protest effort to shield Netanyahu

Kulanu head and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon is paying a price at the polls for the recommendations law, though the bill was advanced by the Likud to benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians wave the national flag during a demonstration in Gaza City on December 3, 2017, in support of the reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah. / AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED ABED (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Palestinian Authority revamp PLO?

For Palestinian reconciliation to succeed, the PLO may have to make substantial changes to draw in Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan meet in Sochi, Russia November 22, 2017. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC14EE3228D0

The next battle in Syria

With the war on the Islamic State winding down, other tensions in Syria are dialing up as Israel and Turkey worry over forces amassing on their borders.