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

Israel cover image

Israel

November 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:17 am

16°C

Marco Longari / AFP via Getty Images

France denies Israeli settler leader entry: What to know

The head of Israel's Samaria Regional Council settler organization claims that France turned him back at the Paris airport.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) casts his ballot, next to his wife Sara

Explainer

From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda

Israel's opposition to advance anti-Netanyahu government measures as soon as Knesset convenes Tuesday, without waiting for a new cabinet to take shape.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Analysis

Trump officials look past Netanyahu, push Eisenkot to form government quickly

Associates of President Donald Trump are urging opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, but one of his partners, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, is blocking the path to resolving the political deadlock.

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

Former Israeli army chief of staff and Yashar Party leader, Gadi Eisenkot, greets supporters

Explainer

Uphill battle: Gadi Eisenkot's 3 paths to forming Israel's next government

When President Isaac Herzog tasks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, he will have three options for building a coalition, each fraught with obstacles.

Latest News

Explainer

Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know

Tomer Neuberg / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions

The sun sets on the US Capitol on Election Day evening on Nov. 3, 2026 in Washington.

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

New gas fields add more heat to already simmering Mediterranean

The recent gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean Sea have given the concerned countries, mainly Egypt, Turkey and Israel, a new urgency in settling their maritime border disputes.

Has Obama turned his back on the Palestinians?

As Israel continues to build and expand settlements in the occupied territories, President Barack Obama appears to have reneged on the commitment he made in 2009 to resolve the Palestinian situation "with all the patience and dedication that the task requires."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas kisses a Palestinian flag before raising it during United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations in Manhattan, New York September 30, 2015. Even though Palestine is not a member of the United Nations, the General Assembly adopted a Palestinian-drafted resolution that permits non-member observer states to fly their flags alongside those of full member states. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTS2H7E

Palestinians look to Turkey for substance, not show

Although Turkey got its share of praise as the Palestinian flag was raised at the UN, Palestinians are still waiting for practical moves affecting their lives.

A lorry passes through the Israeli Tarqumiya checkpoint in the occupied West Bank near the town of Hebron on March 24, 2008. As of last year all goods coming arriving or leaving the southern West Bank pass through the thorough security checks at Tarqumiya checkpoint. AFP PHOTO/MEHDI FEDOUACH (Photo credit should read MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images)

Will new trade hall bring forth better Palestinian-Israeli economic relations?

Economic relations between Israelis and Palestinians might be on their way to seeing improvement, but businessmen, mostly Palestinians, are still treading carefully.

Netanyahu loses control

Recent attacks of Israelis in Jerusalem and the West Bank also undermine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu politically from inside his own coalition and from the right-wing opposition.

Israel finally agrees to increase support for Christian schools, but is it enough?

A historical agreement has been reached to rectify the discriminatory discrepancy in state subsidies to Jewish and Christian schools in Israel.

BERLIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 08: David Lau, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, speaks to a man at the Or Avner traditional Jewish school ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogroms on November 8, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. Germany is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogroms, during which Nazi gangs burned down synagogues, smashed shops and looted residences across Germany and Austria in a fury of anti-semitic violence in 1938. Persecution of Jews was a central component of A

Ultra-Orthodox fight to restrict Christian missions in Israel

Ultra-Orthodox and other Jewish organizations are pushing for an amendment to the Israeli law against proselytizing that they say is currently unenforced.

Singer Jon Bon Jovi performs with his band Bon Jovi in concert at Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 11, 2015. REUTERS/Nyimas Laula - RTSNN3

Bon Jovi rocks Tel Aviv, dedicating 'We don’t run' to their fight

In a seemingly normal evening, Israelis enjoyed a rock show by Bon Jovi, while the situation in Jerusalem and the West Bank keeps escalating, with dramatic stabbing incidents.

Bibi’s UN speech nothing more than hollow words

The UN General Assembly could have been an occasion for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas to meet, but both men preferred to stick to accusatory speeches.

Will struggle over Jerusalem transform into regional religious war?

Israel, the Palestinians and the United States underestimate the emotional impact of the struggle over Jerusalem on Arab public opinion, thus leaving the gate open for it to escalate to a wide-scale conflict.

Abbas promised a 'bombshell' but instead delivered a dud

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas promised that his UN General Assembly address would include a "bombshell," but eventually only declared that the Palestinian Authority is not committed to the Oslo Accord since Israel isn't either.

Abbas at UN: Palestinian flag outside, warning flag inside

The Palestinian flag has been raised at the United Nations, but the address by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas failed to rally concern about the desperate and volatile current situation.