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August 1, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:49 am

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US President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2026. President Trump is traveling to Camp David in Maryland to hold a cabinet meeting and later to Bedminster, New Jersey to spend the weekend at his golf club. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

No Iran commitment, no Trump endorsement: Netanyahu leaves US empty-handed

The Israeli prime minister described Tuesday's meeting with US President Donald Trump was the "best ever," but diplomatic sources say he left the Washington with little tangibles.

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

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Analysis

Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to settle for a brief meeting with President Donald Trump, while his defense minister, Israel Katz, appeared intent on provoking Iran by publicly disclosing sensitive intelligence.

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

Latest News

Netanyahu lauds 'excellent' Trump meeting as Israel pushes harder Iran line

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On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

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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

Will Israel's new defense minister agree to meet with Abbas?

Israeli mayors who met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say that he is willing to meet with new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

What to expect from this week's Paris talks on Israeli-Palestinian peace

A conference on advancing a two-state solution will convene in Paris June 3, but the United States has expressed ambivalence about the French initiative.

How to ensure success at the Paris peace conference

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman made some positive remarks this week about the need for a regional arrangement, but the route from words to deeds is a long and uncertain one.

Are Hamas, Egypt nearing reconciliation?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri spoke about the improvements in Hamas-Egyptian ties and other Palestinian issues.

When books become issue of Israeli populism

Instead of protecting writers, Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev chooses to advocate cheap book prices.

Can Liberman guarantee stability for Netanyahu's coalition?

The expansion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition should have made things a little easier for him, but Netanyahu’s paranoia is now making him wary of Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon.

IDF warns of escalating pressure in Gaza

IDF officers are concerned that poverty, unemployment and an internal power struggle within Hamas might push the movement into a new military conflict with Israel.

Is new Gaza war more probable with Liberman?

With Avigdor Liberman joining the Netanyahu government, Palestinians feel desperate about a breakthrough in the political stalemate between the PA and Israel and anticipate a military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian boys stand atop the rubble of a house after it was demolished by Israeli bulldozers in the West Bank village of El Walaja near Bethlehem, April 12, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTX29KX8

Claiming lack of building permits, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes

While refusing to grant Palestinians building permits, the Israeli authorities have recently intensified their demolition operations targeting Palestinian homes, justifying their actions by claiming that these homes were built without permits.

Israel's new Defence Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, head of far-right Yisrael Beitenu party, shakes hands Israeli army generals during a welcoming ceremony at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel May 31, 2016. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX2EXQM

Palestinians get ready for hard-line Liberman as defense minister

The appointment of ultranationalist Avigdor Liberman as Israel's defense minister sparked outrage among Palestinians, who already regard President Benjamin Netanyahu's government as one of the most extreme in Israel’s history.

A Palestinian Hamas militant takes part in a rally marking the twelfth anniversary of the death of late Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza City, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RTSBYI2

Hamas to execute 13 Gazan criminals as warning to others

A crime wave in Gaza is putting pressure on Hamas, which has promised to execute 13 Palestinians sentenced to death as a deterrent.

Israeli Environment Protection Minister Avi Gabbay delivers a speech during the inauguration of France's EDF Energies Nouvelles Zmorot solar plant facility near the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon May 22, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY *** Local Caption *** 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTX2EFE4

When going gets tough, Israel's professional ministers get out

Much like other ministers with no background in politics, Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabbay preferred to cut his losses and resign rather than fight when faced with a political battle.