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

Israel cover image

Israel

June 22, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:46 pm

25°C

Former Israeli Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot gives a press conference in Tel Aviv, on December 4, 2018.

Can political novice Eisenkot defeat Netanyahu in upcoming elections?

The former military chief of staff is emerging as the prime minister's strongest rival in upcoming elections, overtaking former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in recent polls.

US President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 29, 2025.

Analysis

How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal

The latest ceasefire in Lebanon leaves Netanyahu squeezed between Washington and domestic pressure.

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

Latest News

'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit, on June 16, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Leaders from the Group of 7 (G7) countries convened in Evian, France, near the Swiss border, for their annual summit to discuss challenges to peace and security for Ukraine and Europe, the situation in the Middle East, and other geopolitical issues. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Get

Explainer

Ben-Gvir's move to run separately in Israel elections revives debate over party alliances

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir takes part in the Jerusalem Day celebrations on May 14, 2026, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Analysis

'He knew it was over': Inside Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s Iran deal as Israel recalibrates

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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

Analysis

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

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

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

A Palestinian boy stands next to an Israeli policeman at a police barrier in Jerusalem's Old City June 2, 2014. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY) - RTR3RW4G

Poll suggests Israelis could be sold on Arab League Initiative

A poll conducted ahead of a major Israeli political conference examined the extent of the Israeli public’s exposure to the Arab Peace Initiative, and findings indicate that most Israelis are ignorant of the details of the plan.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R) takes his oath of office in front of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a swearing-in ceremony of the unity government, in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 2, 2014. Abbas swore in a unity government on Monday after overcoming a last-minute dispute with the Hamas Islamist group.
REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3RTFI

Obama administration gets it wrong on Hamas

The recent call by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque might inflame an already volatile situation around the unity government, which the United States should refuse to recognize.

An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is carried on the shoulders by his friends in an "honor gesture" into the Jerusalem central police station on his way to prison, as tens of thousands of religious Israelis protested on June 17, 2010 against a Supreme Court ruling which ordered the jailing of a group of Ashkenazi parents of European origin who have refused to send their daughters to a school with Jewish girls of Middle Eastern, or Sephardic, descent. AFP PHOTO/MENAHEM KAHANA (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAH

Allegations of racism surface in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox schools

Despite rulings by the Supreme Court and ministerial guidelines, the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox establishment keeps rejecting Sephardic female students, wishing to maintain their separate education system, neighborhoods and marriages.

Sufian Abu Zaida, Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs, speaks to the press near Hasharon prison after meeting Fatah's jailed leader Marwan Barghouti, close to Tel Aviv December 15, 2005. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas scrambled on Thursday to heal a split in his ruling Fatah party after young dissidents dealt him a serious blow less than six weeks before parliamentary elections. The rift in Fatah's ranks, which could boost the militant group Hamas in its electoral challenge to Abbas, came as Israe

Exclusive: Abu Zaida talks on his removal from Fatah

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Sufian Abu Zaida, expelled from Fatah, defines Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as a "dictator," while criticizing Israel's objection to the unity government, saying it offers Israel both security cooperation and recognition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touches the original flag Israeli paratroopers waved at the Western Wall during the 1967 Middle East War, before a special cabinet meeting marking Jerusalem Day at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem May 28, 2014. Jerusalem Day marks the anniversary of Israel's capture of the Eastern part of the city during the 1967 Middle East War. In 1980, Israel's parliament passed a law declaring united Jerusalem as the national capital, a move never recognised internationally. REUTERS

Arab Peace Initiative still Israel's best option

Israeli leaders who refuse to take up the Arab Peace Initiative are missing a historic chance for peace.

Knesset member describes Israel's gender wars

In an interview, Knesset member Yifat Kariv assures Al-Monitor that she will not give up on advancing women, particularly the ultra-Orthodox, in the Israeli political arena.

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman attends a meeting with the business community in Uganda's capital Kampala, September 10, 2009. Lieberman, accompanied by business and military delegation, is on an official African visit to Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Nigeria. REUTERS/James Akena (UGANDA POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTR27O1U

Liberman outlines vision for 'regional arrangement' with Arab states

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman offers a plan for open contacts with "moderate" Arab states to deal with the threat from Iran and in pursuit of an agreement with the Palestinians.

Palestinians find respite from siege at Gaza’s ancient port

Once an ancient trading hub, Gaza’s port now serves as a popular recreational location for local Palestinians wishing to forget the woes of living under siege.

A Jewish worshipper prays as an ultra-Orthodox Jew sits in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City May 28, 2009. On Thursday Jews mark Shavuot, the annual celebration of God's handing down of the Law (the Torah) to Moses at Mount Sinai in biblical times, according to Jewish tradition. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM RELIGION) - RTXOVZB

Temple Mount faithful lay claim to lost ark

Shavuot is an occasion to consider the many theories regarding the lost Ark of the Covenant that have inspired believers, politicians and Hollywood, and fed the hopes of those yearning for the Third Temple.

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gestures as leaves his office as a former Hamas government Prime Minister, in Gaza City June 2, 2014. President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a Palestinian unity government on Monday under a reconciliation deal with Hamas Islamists that led Israel to freeze U.S.-brokered peace talks with the Western-backed leader. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3RTYV

Hamas leaders say reconciliation no substitute for 'resistance'

Hamas is relieved to be free of the burden of government, and is eager to repair the damage with the Palestinian street.

Participants hold rainbow flags during the 12th annual gay pride parade in Jerusalem August 1, 2013. Some 2500 people on Thursday took part in the annual parade in Jerusalem. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: SOCIETY) - RTX127G3

Israel surrogate law a victory for gay rights

Orthodox politicians try to sabotage a bill ensuring surrogacy rights to single parents and same-sex couples behind the scenes, but to no avail.

An Israeli border policeman scuffles with a Palestinian woman during clashes at protest against a parade by Israelis marking Jerusalem Day, near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City May 28, 2014. Nine Palestinians were detained on suspicion of throwing stones at policemen and participants of the parade, an Israeli police spokesman said on Wednesday. Jerusalem Day marks the anniversary of Israel's capture of the Eastern part of the city during the 1967 Middle East War. In 1980, Israel's parliament passed a

Israel learns the Palestinian narrative

A Ben-Gurion University study has found that learning the Palestinian narrative developed a genuine dialogue among the parties, without destabilizing the Israeli narrative among the students.