Feature 50,000 Israeli expats fly home to vote in potential boon to Netanyahu rivals Israel prohibits voting from abroad with limited exceptions, and Israelis who spoke to Al-Monitor said they are especially motivated to fly home this year. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis How Israel opposition infighting is boosting Netanyahu days before election Discord within the opposition, including its reluctance to name a single candidate for prime minister ahead of the Oct. 27 election, is working in Netanyahu’s favor. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa It is the first publicly disclosed contact between the leaders of Israel and Syria, which lack formal relations and have fought several wars. Sharaa’s government began US-mediated talks with Israel in 2025. Syria
Sisi says Egypt has no ‘territorial ambitions’ after Israel’s Smotrich threatens Sinai The Egyptian president’s remarks follow a warning from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Israel would seize the Sinai Peninsula if Egypt attacks. Egypt
Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Israel cuts red tape to expand construction in Golan Heights Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked signed a legal framework to speed development of new villages in the Golan Heights, with a goal of doubling the area's population. Israel
Palestinian Authority awaits Biden’s visit to region The Palestinian Authority has refrained from implementing the decision of the PLO to freeze its recognition of Israel ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to the region. Palestine
Israeli coalition's fragility on display during volatile Knesset session The government of Naftali Bennett was not toppled yesterday, but its failure to pass a critical piece of legislation dealing with settlers does not bode well for its future. Israel
Palestinian flag raises controversy in Israeli universities Right-wing Knesset members are advancing a bill that would prevent universities and other state-funded institutions from flying the Palestinian flag. Israel
Tensions rise between Israel, Palestinians ahead of Biden visit While tensions are escalating on the diplomatic level, IDF troops continue Operation Break the Wave to curb spiraling violence in the West Bank and Israel. Israel
Hamas refrains from rocket response to controversial Jerusalem march Hamas has refrained from responding and even foiled attempts by other factions to launch rockets from Gaza toward Israel. Palestine
Tensions flare in Jerusalem over flag march despite caution in Gaza The flag march in Jerusalem sparked confrontations and clashes that quickly expanded to several sites in the West Bank, in a scene reminiscent of the beginnings of the second Palestinian intifada in 2000. Palestine
Jerusalem Flag March splits Israeli coalition parties Prime Minister Naftali Bennett embraced right-wing calls to hold the traditional Jerusalem Flag March on its usual route. Israel
Hamas warns Israel against flag march in Al-Aqsa Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned Israel against holding its annual Jerusalem Day flag march in Al-Aqsa, threatening to confront it with “all means.” Palestine
US lawmakers urge Blinken to press Israel on Masafer Yatta evictions The lawmakers called for the administration to pressure Israel on the evictions before President Joe Biden travels to Israel this summer. Israel
Israeli forces find tough resistance in Jenin camp Tension continues to prevail in the Jenin refugee camp where rounds of violence take place daily amid an Israeli threat of a large-scale military operation using helicopters. Palestine
Landslide victory for Hamas student bloc in West Bank reflects shift in popular support Hamas won a large majority in the student elections at Birzeit University in the West Bank, pointing to the movement’s growing popularity at the expense of the divided Fatah movement. Palestine
