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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 25, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:42 am

25°C

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu waves to delegates leaving before his UN speech

Delegates walk out as Netanyahu touts Iran war, slams Qatar and Turkey at UN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's statement that the Golan Heights will “remain Syrian territory," while praising US President Donald Trump, whom he did not meet on the trip.

Leader of the Arab Israeli party Ra'am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas (R) and Israeli politician Yoav Segalovitz (L) attend a news conference in Nazareth on August 31, 2026. Abbas announced that Segalovitz, an Israeli Jew, will join his party for the upcoming Israeli elections. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

Israel election committee bars two Arab lists from upcoming vote: What to know

Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Arab-majority Raam party, the Arab joint list party and two Arab politicians from participating in the Oct. 27 elections.

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

Latest News

Analysis

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

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

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push

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)

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

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

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

Is Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution almost dead?

Iran poised to exploit the declining fortunes of the Palestinian Authority as Israel expands West Bank settlements; Syrian government forces prepare for a showdown in Raqqa; The Washington Post refers to Jaish al-Islam as a "rebel" group; Al-Monitor Syria Timeline includes commentary from Ambassador Ryan Crocker and others.

How a crude sex joke revived a partisan fight in Israel

By accusing right-wing TV host Erel Segal of sexual harassment over a crude TV skit about her, Zionist Camp Knesset member Stav Shaffir let him turn an essential debate on women's rights into a feud between the right and the left camps.

What's behind Israel's call for 'economic peace'?

The "economic peace" proposed by Israel to the Palestinians resembles more economic colonialism than economic ties between equal partners.

Why is Israel detaining a clown?

Circus artists around the world are protesting the arrest and detention of Palestinian performer Mohammad Abu Sakha.

After terrorist label, what is GCC's next move against Hezbollah?

Iranian officials and media have condemned the decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council to label the Lebanese group Hezbollah a terrorist organization and believe more anti-Hezbollah actions are on the way.

Outgoing French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (L) embraces newly-appointed Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault during the official handover ceremony at the Quai d'Orsay, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Paris, France, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen - RTX26NQI

How serious is the French proposal on Middle East peace?

It is still unclear whether the international community will support the French initiative to hold a July conference in an effort to restart progress toward a two-state solution.

Why canceled Arab League summit should worry Israelis

Morocco’s decision not to host the Arab League summit has unexpected implications for Israel.

Bus crash enrages ultra-Orthodox

A fatal bus accident on the Jerusalem highway has stirred up long-held grievances by the ultra-Orthodox sector against the Israeli bus company Egged.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Finance Minister Yair Lapid (back to camera) congratulate Israeli far-right leader Avigdor Lieberman after he was sworn in as Israel's Foreign Minister at the parliament in Jerusalem November 11, 2013. Lieberman was sworn in as foreign minister on Monday after his acquittal on corruption charges, a development that could further complicate peace talks with the Palestinians. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX159MP

Israeli opposition's new power couple

The emergency conference on diplomacy organized by former Ministers Avigdor Liberman and Yair Lapid presents them as political allies of the opposition parties.

Should Israel celebrate the Iranian elections results?

Following Iranian elections, Israeli security experts are divided between those optimistic about changes in the country and those who fear its growing regional hegemony.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (R) greets European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton upon her arrival for their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah July 17, 2010.
REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2GHYN

Why Israel supports US monopoly on peace talks

Egypt, the Palestinians and even the United States itself favor greater involvement by Quartet members in restarting a more even-handed, two-state solution process.

Iranian worshippers wave Palestinian flags during a protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza, after Friday prayers in Tehran, January 2, 2009. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN) - RTR22ZRW

Iran stakes out position ahead of PA collapse

Iran's renewed interest in the occupied territories indicates that, unlike Israel, it is preparing for the possible collapse of the Palestinian Authority.