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Israel

September 23, 2026

Tel Aviv 9:00 pm

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ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election

No meeting has been announced between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York.

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

Gargash

UAE's Gargash expects 'prolonged' war, calls for Iran-Gulf security talks

"We need a new mindset that these sort of discussions ... can happen at an Iranian-American level, it should also take place at an Iranian-Arab level," Gargash told Al-Monitor.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Oct. 24, 2023.

Analysis

After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government

Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on as he attends a trade agreement signature ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on August 24, 2026. (Photo by LOU BENOIST / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to capitalize on Riyadh's need for intelligence assistance to make normalization headway ahead of the October elections.

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

Latest News

Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know

OLIVER BUNIC/AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner' aircraft

Culture

Israeli show ‘Fauda’ tops Netflix in Lebanon, hits top 10 across Arab states

ISRAEL-ENTERTAINMENT-TELEVISION-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT-MASS-MEDIA-D (L to R) Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, co-creators of the hit Israeli TV show "Fauda", attend a demonstration against the Israeli government's plans to shut-down public broadcaster KAN, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 25, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Explainer

Why France is pushing to keep UNIFIL in Lebanon beyond 2026

UN peacekeepers stand next to an armored vehicle during a patrol in southern Lebanon, Feb. 22, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Israeli Minister of Trade, Industry and Labor, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer gestures as he delivers a speech during The Israel Manufacturers Association General Meeting" in Tel Aviv on January 13, 2011. AFP PHOTO/JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Ethnic demons revived at eulogy for late Israeli defense minister

Ugly comments about late Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer reflect some Labor Party members' long-held attitude toward leaders of Mizrahi origin.

A Palestinian woman argues with Israeli army soldiers as she is searched at a checkpoint during clashes in the West Bank Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron August 16, 2016. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2L7Q9

Has Israeli defense minister changed IDF's West Bank strategy?

The Israel Defense Forces have been carrying out regular operations in the Dheisheh refugee camp and the villages of Hebron governorate, all inside West Bank's Area A and ostensibly under full Palestinian control.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, 17 July 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool - RTSICNN

Why Sabbath crisis didn't topple Netanyahu's government

The ultra-Orthodox party’s manufactured crisis over train repair work being conducted on the Sabbath came with a built-in expiration date.

Israelis carry flags during a march marking Jerusalem Day, the anniversary of Israel's capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war, just outside Damascus Gate of Jerusalem's Old City June 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTSG3ZM

Will Israel hold referendum over two-state solution?

With the Israeli occupation of the West Bank nearing its 50th year, Israel's peace camp is pushing the idea of a referendum over its future.

A Palestinian Hamas supporter takes a selfie during an anti-Israeli rally in Gaza city April 28, 2016. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2C34K

The morning after: What happens to Gaza if Hamas is toppled?

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is accused of hampering the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza in an effort to overthrow Hamas' rule. What if he succeeds?

(From L) Director Ahmed Maher, actress Basma Hassan, actor Sherif Ramzy, actor Omar Sharif, actor Khaled Elnabawy pose during the photocall of "Al Mosafer" (The Traveller) at the Venice film festival on September 9, 2009. "Al Mosafer" is competing for the Golden Lion of the 66th Mostra Internationale d'Arte Cinematografica, the Venice film festival. AFP PHOTO / Damien Meyer (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

Obstacles could impede Christ biopic's path into Egypt

Egyptian film director Ahmed Maher speaks to Al-Monitor on how he is moving ahead with his next film on Jesus Christ's infant years in Egypt.

Israel's Or Sasson (white) competes with Egypt's Islam Elshehaby during their men's +100kg judo contest match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016. / AFP / Toshifumi KITAMURA (Photo credit should read TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images)

'Delegitimization war' heats up between Israel, Palestine

Both Israel and the Palestinians are preoccupied by delegitimization campaigns and negative propaganda instead of focusing on dialogue.

Arab Israeli police recruits detain their colleague during a simulation as part of a training exercise at Israeli police academy center in Beit Shemesh, Israel August 24, 2016. Picture taken August 24, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTX2N06B

Is Israel at fault for surging Arab crime?

Israeli security forces invest time and effort to track weapon factories in the West Bank but neglect to deal in depth with illegal weapons of Israeli Arabs.

$The cables of a side-scan sonar is seen in the waters of the Mediterranean sea, during a tour of areas believed to have gas reserves, off Lebanon's coast near Beirut May 30, 2013. Offshore seismic surveys suggest Lebanon has at least 30 trillion cubic feet in just a small fraction of its Mediterranean waters Energy Minister Gebran Bassil said. Lebanon has selected 46 international oil companies to bid to explore for gas off its coast, where survey ships have been assessing prospects after discoveries in wat$

Did Washington ask Lebanon to negotiate with Israel over oil?

An agreement for Lebanon to begin exploiting oil and gas reserves in the Mediterranean appears to have been put on hold following an American request that Lebanon negotiate with Israel to resolve their maritime border dispute.

How social networks are revolutionizing Israeli politics

Israeli political parties are losing substance and relevance while direct connections and communication between politicians and the public are growing stronger and more meaningful.

An Israeli security personal stands guard during a march marking Jerusalem Day, the anniversary of Israel's capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war, outside Jerusalem's Old City June 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTSG3Z9

Will 50 years of occupation unite Israel's peace camp?

The Israeli peace camp must rise to the challenge and craft an effective message during the 50-year celebration of Israeli occupation.

Israeli border policemen perform a security check on a Palestinian youth at Damascus Gate just outside Jerusalem's Old City before Friday prayers October 23, 2015. Palestinian factions called for mass rallies against Israel in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in a "day of rage" on Friday, as world and regional powers pressed on with talks to try to end more than three weeks of bloodshed. Israeli authorities also lifted restrictions on Friday that had banned men aged under 40 from using the flashpoi

Al-Aqsa Mosque back in the eye of the storm with renewed clashes, arrests

Various minor infractions have once again increased tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, where Palestinians complain that restoration work has been disrupted and Israeli visitors have exceeded agreed-upon limits.