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

Israel cover image

Israel

August 16, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:35 am

27°C

An Israeli rescue team arrives in Venezuela after the earthquake in June 2026. Israeli Foreign Ministry

Analysis

Why Venezuela is moving closer to Israel but stopping short of full ties

Israel and Venezuela have practical and strategic reasons for advancing their relations after years of hostility, but establishing full ties faces challenges.

Rina Bassist

Adam Lucente

By Rina Bassist , Adam Lucente

Israeli army vehicles move to a position in southern Lebanon, March 27, 2026.

Analysis

Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections

Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump face fateful elections this fall, but one needs progress in Lebanon while the other wants more of the same.

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

Latest News

Syria lodges UN complaint against Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan

Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, delivers a speech at the Pichincha Battalion after being sworn in, in Cali, Colombia, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Analysis

Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan while quietly implementing it

lia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images

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

Interview

Israel's deputy FM, Sharren Haskel, bets on a new right after breaking with Netanyahu

Sharren Haskel speaks at an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Oct. 16, 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

A Bedouin encampment of the Jahalin tribe is seen in front of the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem December 3, 2012. Israel will not backtrack on a settlement expansion plan that has drawn strong international condemnation, an official in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Monday. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (WEST BANK - Tags: BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3B60W

Relocation Plan Threatens Israel's Bedouin Community

Israel has announced a relocation plan for its Bedouin community which may displace thousands, writes Jillian Kestler-D'Amours.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) speaks with Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Ahmadinejad's visit to Latin American countries January 14, 2012. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS)

Iran, Israel and Their Red Lines Over Syria

Meir Javedanfar writes that a transfer of Syria’s chemical-weapon stockpiles to Iran may be a better option that the weapons falling into the hands of groups linked to al-Qaeda.

French surgeon Christopher Bulstrode (2nd L) operates on a Palestinian patient as he trains Palestinian doctors in surgical procedures at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip December 15, 2009. Bulstrode arrived in Gaza on Monday for a one-week training session, aiming at upgrading the knowledge of orthopedic surgeons from Gaza in the field of war and trauma orthopedic medicine. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: HEALTH) - RTXRV42

Gaza Hospital Performs Strip's First Transplant

Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip has performed the territory's first-ever transplant, courtesy of international assistance, Rami Almeghari reports.

A Palestinian stone-thrower uses a sling to throw back a tear gas canister fired by Israeli security forces during clashes outside Ofer prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah November 18, 2012. The clashes broke out following a protest against Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3AKLT

Anger at Israeli Detention Of Palestinian Activist

Linah Alsaafin reports on last week's arrest of Palestinian activist Hasan Karajah by Israeli forces.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu draws a red line on the graphic of a bomb used to represent Iran's nuclear program as he addresses the 67th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, September 27, 2012. The red line he drew represents a point where he believes, the international community should tell Iran that they will not be allowed to pass without intervention. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR38I7P

Israel Must Invest to Deter Iran

Alon Ben David writes that investing in preparing a military option against a potential Iranian nuclear weapon is not an "adventurous fantasy."

A general view of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, is seen during a session boycotted by the opposition parties in Jerusalem June 17, 2009. Israel's parliament is expected to give its initial approval to the 2009 and 2010 state budgets later on Wednesday. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTR24QNR

Israel Defense Budget Can Be Cut

Idan Grinbaum calls for a serious public debate and major cuts in the Israel defense budget.

Labour party leader Shelly Yachimovich addresses supporters at her party's headquarters in Beit Berl, north of Tel Aviv January 23, 2013. Hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged the bruised winner of Israel's election on Tuesday, claiming victory despite unexpected losses to resurgent centre-left challengers. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3CTBJ

How Did Yachimovich Lose The Israeli Center to Lapid?

Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid and the big winner in the Israeli elections, succeeded where Labor leader Shelly Yachimovich failed, by accurately capturing the frustrations and hopes of centrist voters, writes Mazal Mualem.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem January 27, 2013. REUTERS/Ariel Schalit/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3D101

Israel's Prime Minister Has Several Fronts to Worry About

Warnings that Syria's chemical weapons may fall into the wrong hands are raising concerns in Israel of a regional conflict, writes Ben Caspit.

Open Letter to Yaakov Peri: 'Don't Forsake Our Political Path'

Akiva Eldar writes to his friend Yaakov Peri, calling upon the former head of Shin Beth and renowned peacemaker, not to forsake peace once he officially enters the Israeli parliament.

Israeli Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), Haif Mayor Amram
Mitzna (C) and Labour party chairman Binyamin Ben-Eliezer attend a
funeral ceremony for former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban in
Herzliya November 18, 2002. Mitzner and Ben-Eliezer will run as
candidates as the Labour party votes for it next leader tomorrow.
REUTERS/Ofer Vaknin

RKR - RTRE13S

Ben-Eliezer Slams Yachimovich For the Labor Party's Failure

Veteran Knesset Member Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer talks about his frustration and anger over the election results and the missed opportunities by Labor Party leader Shelly Yachimovich in a special interview with Mazal Mualem.

Intel Israel: Pioneer Employer of Women

Intel Israel General Manager Maxine Fassberg tells Tali Heruti-Sover about her struggles in the male-dominated high-tech industry — which needs "equal opportunities for men and women alike to enter the industry and move on side by side."

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (R) and Mohammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas leadership, speak to media after their meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman January 28, 2013. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3D30A

Hamas Vows Crackdown On Collaborators With Israel

The Hamas government in Gaza has vowed to end the presence of Gazans who collaborate with Israel in 2013, while trying to repair its reputation in dealing with the accused, reports Adnan Abu Amer.