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Israel

May 9, 2026

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Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections.

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

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

While President Donald Trump keeps pressuring Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel fears the American leader will decide to cut his losses and sideline the nuclear threat.

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

Latest News

Culture

Lebanon's churches, mosques and archaeological sites damaged in Israeli strikes

A man sits watching as Lebanese first responders search for human remains among the rubble the day after a house was targeted in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, on May 1, 2026.

Analysis

Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid (L) speaks to outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during a meeting at the Knesset (parliament), in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022. - Final approval of the parliament dissolution bill was initially expected by midnight but was postponed to June 30 as coalition and opposition lawmakers sparred over last-minute legislative details, several sources familiar with the parliamentary said. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational

AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

As coalition talks take shape, Netanyahu preps Plan B

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to compose a majority-backed government, but he's also preparing to fight as leader of the opposition.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (C) speaks with Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab Joint List, during consultations on who might form the next coalition government, at the president's residence in Jerusalem, April 5, 2021.

Arab-Israeli parties recommend no one to assemble next government

Contrary to last year, neither the Arab Joint List nor Mansour Abbas' Raam party recommended to the president any candidate for the formation of the next government.

Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu greets supporters as he speaks at a Likud party gathering after a vote event, Jerusalem, March 24, 2021.

Drama in Israel: Netanyahu tasked with composing next government

New Hope leader Gideon Saar decided not to recommend a candidate for composing the next government, thus opening the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the first crack at the mission.

A Palestinian artist adds the final touches to a mural painting calling on people to vote during the upcoming elections (legislative in May and presidential in July) in a street in Gaza City, on March 24, 2021.

Israel tight-lipped on Palestinian elections

Official Israel is mindful not to make public statements on the upcoming Palestinian elections, yet some reports suggest it is working behind the scenes to encourage their postponement or cancellation.

Israeli businessman Shaul Elovitz arrives to attend the hearing for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial for corruption

First witness testifies in Netanyahu trial

On a doubly dramatic day in Israel, the first witness testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trail and President Reuven Rivlin began consultations on who will be tasked to form the next government.

A picture taken from the Mount of Olives on Jan. 20, 2018, shows a Muslim tourist viewing Jerusalem's Old City and the Dome of the Rock.

Israel prepares for wave of Muslim tourists

With the signing of the Abraham Accords and the opening of Emirati, Bahraini and Moroccan diplomatic missions, Israel is now preparing for an unprecedented wave of Muslim tourists.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Arab legislator's speech marks historic moment in Israeli politics

In his prime-time speech, Arab Knesset member Mansour Abbas cleverly laid the groundwork for an Arab party to join it.

Mansour Abbas, head of the United Arab Party (Ra'am), delivers a speech in Nazareth, Israel, April 1, 2021.

Netanyahu’s fans hail historic speech by Israeli Arab legislator

Likud’s enthusiasm over the speech of Arab legislator Mansour Abbas might be opportunist and not candid, but it is changing Israeli politics and society irreversibly.

Naftali Bennett, leader of the Israeli right-wing Yamina ('New Right') party, addresses supporters at his party's campaign headquarters in the Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv early on March 24, 2021, after the end of voting in the fourth national election in two years.

Israel’s Bennett faces dilemma of his life

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that without Yamina leader Naftali Bennett he has absolutely no chances of forming the next government.

The 120-seat Knesset (Israeli parliament) chamber is virtually empty as the debate over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza Strip disengagement plan enters its second day Oct. 25, 2004 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Israel’s new parliament most divided yet

Multitude of parties and internal division are a sure recipe for a chaotic 24th Knesset.

Reuven Rivlin votes March 23

Israel’s president calls for unconventional alliances

Associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lash out against President Reuven Rivlin after Rivlin called on Israeli politicians to consider out-of-the-ordinary alliances.

Mansour Abbas (C), head of Israel's conservative Islamic Raam party, speaks to supporters during a political gathering to congratulate him on the electoral victory in the northern Israeli village of Maghar on March 26, 2021.

Israeli Arab politicians now part of the game for composing next government

After years of being sidelined, Arab politicians are being courted by parties from both the right and the left as they try to convince them to join a coalition.