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

Israel cover image

Israel

June 15, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:35 pm

28°C

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House in New York on Sept. 19, 2023.

Analysis

Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence

The latest Erdogan-Netanyahu clash underscored how Turkey-Israel tensions have grown beyond the Palestinian issue and into a wider regional rivalry spanning Syria, Lebanon, Iran and the eastern Mediterranean.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, DC, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

Squeezed by Trump and Iran war, how vulnerable is Netanyahu in polls?

The Israeli prime minister faces growing problems over Oct. 7, his alliance with the ultra-Orthodox parties, and Donald Trump questioning his political future.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026.

'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah

As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border.

US President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list.

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

Latest News

As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Explainer

Turkey-Israel tensions flare over Syria, Lebanon, East Med: What to know

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan buttons up his jacket during a press conference after the conclusion of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025.

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

Why some Israelis are taking to social media to expose sexual harassment

Israeli society is undergoing a transformation as women talk about sexual harassment on social media, which is becoming the public arena for exposing misconduct instead of filing a complaint with the police.

Netanyahu’s threats recall Gaza's last war

Military preparations by Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip are raising speculation that a new war is on the way.

Palestinians, Israelis face off on Facebook

As the armed attacks against Israelis decrease, another kind of intifada has emerged on social networking sites as Palestinians and Israelis confront each other using Twitter and Facebook.

France, Egypt push two-state solution conference

Egypt is contemplating its own initiative in order to restart Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on a two-state solution in coordination with the French Foreign Ministry’s initiative.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys hold flags during a rally organised to welcome Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 20, 2013. Local media said that Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, son of the late Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum, leader of the Satmar Hasidim landed in Israel on Sunday for the wedding of his granddaughter which will take place later in the week. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: RELIGION) - RTR3CPHG

What happens when an anti-Zionist rabbi visits Israel

On a rare visit to Israel, the anti-Zionist Satmar Rabbi distributed money to ultra-Orthodox institutions that refuse to receive state funding.

Left-wing Israelis and Palestinians demonstrators hold placards during a demonstration calling for a better future for both people, at the West Bank near Jerusalem January 15, 2016. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTX22JI8

Poll: Even hopeful Israelis expect little from peace talks

According to an Israel Democracy Institute survey, an overwhelming majority of Israelis support a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but paradoxically don’t believe it would lead anywhere.

The rise of the individual intifada

The prevailing IDF assessment by which the current wave of violence will die out has been proven wrong, with Palestinian attackers now using guns instead of knives.

A Palestinian man walks past a newly erected temporary concrete wall that measures around 10 meters in length, in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Jabel Mukaber October 19, 2015. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTS52AL

Will splitting Jerusalem perpetuate occupation?

The separation plans designed to separate Jerusalem from surrounding Palestinian villages will only perpetuate the annexation of Jerusalem to Israel.

'Tunnel arms race' heating up

Hamas is in the midst of rebuilding its tunnel network under Gaza and into Israel, while the IDF has begun work to neutralize the threat.

Zionist Camp sets sights on settler vote

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp Knesset member Yoel Hasson explained why he thinks the Zionist Camp can win votes in the large settlement blocs.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the Righteous Among the Nations Award Ceremony, organised for the first time in the U.S. by Yad Vashem, at the Embassy of Israel in Washington January 27, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX24BDO

Obama's Israeli-Palestinian failure

With one year left in office, President Barack Obama should hurry up and join the French in promoting an international conference on a two-state solution.

An Israeli soldier gestures near the scene of a shooting attack at an Israeli military checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah January 31, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX24S7Z

Can the IDF withstand political pressure?

The Israel Defense Forces believe hope and economic opportunity are the keys to calming the current wave of Palestinian attacks, but political leaders are pressing for a military response.