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Israel

June 20, 2026

Tel Aviv 4:25 pm

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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

Avigdor Lieberman, head of far-right Yisrael Beitenu party, (C) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) arrive to sign a coalition deal to broaden the government's parliamentary majority, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem May 25, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTSFTGZ

New defense minister's death penalty demand would put Israelis at risk

The demand by incoming Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman to impose the death penalty for terrorism convictions could destroy Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation and ignite a new intifada.

Israelis hold up a placard that reads in Hebrew "Olmert resign" during a protest near the official residence of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem May 28, 2008. Olmert's main coalition partner demanded on Wednesday the Israeli prime minister leave office over corruption allegations. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM) - RTX69FX

Have Israelis grown accustomed to corrupt politicians?

Honesty and integrity are passé in Israel, where citizens have gotten used to politicians being corrupt.

Why is Egypt calling on Israel to release Marwan al-Barghouti?

Sentenced to five life terms plus 40 additional years in an Israeli prison, jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti is now gaining supporters calling for his release, including Cairo.

Uproar over police brutality against Israeli Arab

Israeli passers-by documented border police officers beating an Israeli-Arab youth working in a Tel Aviv grocery store.

Tehran accuses Israel of holding four Iranians who disappeared 34 years ago

Iran's defense minister said that Israel is holding prisoner the four Iranians who were kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982.

Turkey's Islamists, nationalists both silent on Israeli weapons flow to Azerbaijan

Turkey’s Islamist and ultra-nationalists are curbing their opposition — at least outwardly — to Israel, which is supplying Azerbaijan with weapons to fight Armenia.

Has Netanyahu lost control over his own loyalists?

Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who worked closely with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for years, is about to decide whether to open an inquiry into the premier regarding the financing of past private trips.

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid (R) and his wife Lihi walk past Likud election campaign posters depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they walk to a polling station in Tel Aviv March 17, 2015. Netanyahu's march towards becoming the longest-serving leader of Israel could be halted on Tuesday in an election that has exposed public fatigue with his stress on national security rather than socio-economic problems. Once a heartthrob television news anchor, Lapid, 51, was the rising star of Israeli po

What Bibi-Liberman alliance means for Israel’s opposition

With opposition chair Isaac Herzog failing to join the coalition, Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, also in the opposition, is getting stronger.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Avigdor Lieberman attend a Likud-Beitenu faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem November 11, 2013. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo - RTSFIT8

Peace with Palestinians not in Netanyahu's plan

Whatever the composition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, it will never aspire to a negotiated peace with the Palestinians.

Are Palestinians concerned over Minister Liberman?

Palestinian leaders in the West Bank and Gaza say they do not fear incoming new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Why Ya'alon's departure from Defense Ministry should worry Bibi

The resignation of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon from his post following the appointment of Avigdor Liberman to his job leaves the Likud party without any moderate senior figures.

Is new defense minister dangerous for Israel?

Some in the Israeli military are panicked over Avigdor Liberman heading the Defense Ministry, but despite his tempestuous reputation, Liberman is neither stupid nor crazy.