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

Israel cover image

Israel

November 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:27 am

16°C

Marco Longari / AFP via Getty Images

France denies Israeli settler leader entry: What to know

The head of Israel's Samaria Regional Council settler organization claims that France turned him back at the Paris airport.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) casts his ballot, next to his wife Sara

Explainer

From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda

Israel's opposition to advance anti-Netanyahu government measures as soon as Knesset convenes Tuesday, without waiting for a new cabinet to take shape.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Analysis

Trump officials look past Netanyahu, push Eisenkot to form government quickly

Associates of President Donald Trump are urging opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, but one of his partners, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, is blocking the path to resolving the political deadlock.

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

Former Israeli army chief of staff and Yashar Party leader, Gadi Eisenkot, greets supporters

Explainer

Uphill battle: Gadi Eisenkot's 3 paths to forming Israel's next government

When President Isaac Herzog tasks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, he will have three options for building a coalition, each fraught with obstacles.

Latest News

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions

The sun sets on the US Capitol on Election Day evening on Nov. 3, 2026 in Washington.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Could Hamas' pragmatic new leader finally reconcile with Fatah?

Contrary to former Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal, newly elected Ismail Haniyeh is perceived as more intimately connected to the Gaza Strip and its suffering and may stand a better chance of unifying Palestinians.

A Palestinian vendor uses battery-powered lights as he sells cigarettes during power cut at Shati refugee camp in Gaza City April 25, 2017. Picture taken April 25, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTS14598

Why Abbas asked Israel to cut power to Gaza

The Palestinian Authority has asked Israel to stop providing funding for Gaza's electricity as part of President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to pressure Hamas into ceding power.

An ultra-Orthodox Jew takes part in a protest against the opening of a road on the Sabbath, near a religious neighbourhood in Jerusalem June 23, 2012. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: RELIGION CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3427P

Ultra-Orthodox threaten Netanyahu’s coalition over Sabbath crisis

Contrary to past Sabbath crises, this time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is refusing to cede to ultra-Orthodox demands.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House in Washington D.C., U.S., May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RTS14ZFG

How artful can Trump be when dealing with Palestine-Israel conflict?

Despite President Mahmoud Abbas’ much-anticipated visit to Washington, Palestinians don’t have high hopes that US President Donald Trump can achieve a breakthrough and reach a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he leaves the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., before his departure to New York May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RTS1581R

White House sees wild-card nature as asset in Trump’s first foreign trip

Trump’s first foreign trip as president will be to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome, the holy places for Islam, Judaism and Christianity, as he tries to rally the world to unite against extremism and intolerance, aides say.

What are European Union’s plans if Trump fails on Mideast peace?

If US President Donald Trump fails to advance his Middle East conference initiative, the European Union will advance its own initiative for a third Paris conference.

Palestinians flock to first Palestinian bank in Jerusalem

The National Bank opened its branch in the Dahiat al-Barid neighborhood in Jerusalem on April 17, allowing Palestinians to fulfill their banking needs in Israel without having to cross into the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTS13I65

Netanyahu turns discrimination resentment into strategy

Forty years after the political turnabout that brought the right-wing Likud Party to power, Likud supporters from the periphery and of Middle Eastern origin still feel discriminated by a left-wing European elite.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they deliver an statement at the White House in Washington D.C., U.S., May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTS1502B

Why Trump-Abbas meeting has rattled Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned that the US president's inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a meeting in the White house, well before many other important world leaders, reflects a determination to advance a two-state deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTS14ZJL

Trump, Abbas vow to prove skeptics wrong on reaching peace deal

In upbeat White House visit May 3, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Donald Trump expressed themselves optimistic they can reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that nobody thinks they will reach.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal gestures as he announces a new policy document in Doha, Qatar, May 1, 2017. REUTERS/Naseem Zeitoon - RTS14OSP

Hamas defies charter, recognizes 1967 borders

Hamas' recognition of the Israeli borders established in 1967 is part of outgoing political chief Khaled Meshaal's legacy of pragmatism, but Israel won't be easily soothed.

Netanyahu’s old friend becomes Trump’s new ally

Much to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chagrin, Jewish billionaire Ronald Lauder is encouraging US President Donald Trump to advance the two-state solution.