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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 24, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:22 pm

27°C

Leader of the Arab Israeli party Ra'am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas (R) and Israeli politician Yoav Segalovitz (L) attend a news conference in Nazareth on August 31, 2026. Abbas announced that Segalovitz, an Israeli Jew, will join his party for the upcoming Israeli elections. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

Israel election committee bars two Arab lists from upcoming vote: What to know

Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Arab-majority Raam party, the Arab joint list party and two Arab politicians from participating in the Oct. 27 elections.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election

No meeting has been announced between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York.

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

Gargash

UAE's Gargash expects 'prolonged' war, calls for Iran-Gulf security talks

"We need a new mindset that these sort of discussions ... can happen at an Iranian-American level, it should also take place at an Iranian-Arab level," Gargash told Al-Monitor.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Oct. 24, 2023.

Analysis

After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government

Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on as he attends a trade agreement signature ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on August 24, 2026. (Photo by LOU BENOIST / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know

OLIVER BUNIC/AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner' aircraft

Culture

Israeli show ‘Fauda’ tops Netflix in Lebanon, hits top 10 across Arab states

ISRAEL-ENTERTAINMENT-TELEVISION-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT-MASS-MEDIA-D (L to R) Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, co-creators of the hit Israeli TV show "Fauda", attend a demonstration against the Israeli government's plans to shut-down public broadcaster KAN, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 25, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Israeli policemen secure the entrance to a restaurant following a shooting attack in the center of Tel Aviv June 8, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTSGMSB

Father of Tel Aviv attacker: If I had the chance, I'd ask Khaled why he did it

The father of Tel Aviv attacker Khaled Mahmara told Al-Monitor he did not know about the intentions of his son.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes a speech during a campaign stop in Lynwood, California, United States, June 6, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake - RTSGAC9

Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton?

Arab-Americans tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, but will the community coalesce around Hillary Clinton despite the attraction of Bernie Sanders’ views on the Middle East?

The education of Israel's new defense minister

In the past, Avigdor Liberman was called to use an iron fist against Palestinians in order to curb terror, but as Israel's new defense minister he might change his tone.

A Palestinian man sells lanterns ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Khan in the southern of Gaza Strip June 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RTSG2IG

Gaza markets full of Ramadan treats, but who can afford them?

With the onset of Ramadan, Gaza’s merchants have plenty of goods to sell for fair prices, but face a costumer base with very little cash.

Could Netanyahu-Liberman surprise us?

Recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman could indicate readiness for a diplomatic move, but could also be misleading and a play for time.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Israel's defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman (L) during a special Cabinet meeting to mark Jerusalem Day in Ein Lavan Spring located in the outskirts of Jerusalem 02 June 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool - RTX2FAFI

Netanyahu's two-state bluff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his willingness to adopt parts of the Arab Peace Initiative, conveniently ignoring the essential parts of Palestinian statehood along the 1967 borderlines.

What are Jerusalem Day festivities really celebrating?

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes pride in his "united Jerusalem," the truth is that the city is more divided than ever as Jerusalem Day celebrants ignore the severe discrimination against the city's Arab population.

The lost children of Israel's foreign workers

Most of the children born to foreign workers in Israel are never granted permanent residency or Israeli nationality and feel rejected by Israeli society.

Will Bibi's love of luxury be his downfall?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, known for his extravagant tastes, is caught up in a scandal involving funding from a French billionaire on trial for corruption.

New York Yankees former pitcher Mariano Rivera (C) stands next to Israeli tourism minister Yariv Levin (5th L) as they listen to a tour guide during a visit to the Tower of David in Jerusalem's Old City June 18, 2015. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX1H2SQ

How long will Bibi's government last?

In an interview, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin explained the political maneuvering to stabilize the government that turned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Avigdor Liberman and away from the Zionist Camp.

Houses are seen in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Ofra, north of Ramallah July 18, 2013. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, which have ebbed and flowed for two decades, last broke down in late 2010, after a partial settlement halt meant to foster talks ended and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to extend it. Palestinians familiar with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' thinking speculated he might now forgo the demand for a settlement moratorium given a recent slowdown

Settlement house of wounded soldier unites Israeli left, right

Israelis across the political spectrum are united in wanting to provide handicapped access at the settlement home of a wounded soldier, but the law won't allow it.

Israeli soldiers stand guard as they carry out an identity check on Palestinians at an Israeli checkpoint leading to the West Bank city of Ramallah February 1, 2016. Following Sunday's shooting attack by a Palestinian, Israeli forces have taken security measures allowing only residents of Ramallah to enter the city, with a temporary closure for exit except for humanitarian cases, an Israeli military spokeswoman said. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX24W9B

What Israel calls progress, Palestinians see as oppression

Israel says it will streamline checkpoint procedures to facilitate Palestinians' movements, but some see the promise as merely a public relations move and a reminder of the occupation.