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Israel

November 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 4:03 am

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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

Kerry begins Iran deal sales push on Capitol Hill

A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 20.

The Palestinian dancer who was locked away

Lina Khattab, an 18-year-old dancer and university student, tells Al-Monitor about her ordeal when Israeli forces arrested her and says she hopes she can show the world the suffering of the Palestinians.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliver joint statements to the media in Jerusalem July 16, 2015. REUTERS/Debbie Hill/Pool - RTX1KKOC

Netanyahu rejects US offer of military support; IDF says not so fast

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects again the US offer for a security-compensation package, unlike the IDF that is taking the agreement as a done deal and wishes to cooperate closely with the United States on security follow-up.

Israeli play about French prostitute premieres in Turkey

Actor Zion Ashkenazi tells Al-Monitor about the warm welcome he and his one-man play based on the life of French playwright Jean Genet received at a Turkish theater festival.

Palestinians hold a large flag depicting President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during a rally marking the annual al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the fourth Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, at the compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City July 10, 2015. An Israeli police spokesperson said on Friday that some 140,000 people attended the prayers on the compound and some 56,000 Palestinians from the West Bank enter

Palestinians hope to regain global attention after Iran deal

Israel and the Palestinians are both preparing themselves for the new period opening up after the signing of the nuclear agreement with Iran, with Netanyahu's government moving more to the right and the Palestinians encouraging a French-led UN resolution proposal.

An Israeli protester holds a placard and a flag during a demonstration against a court decision to demolish housing units in the Jewish settlement of Beit El, outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem July 8, 2015. Israel's Supreme Court ruled that 24 housing units, built on Palestinian owned land, be razed by July 30, according to local media. The placard in Hebrew reads, "The Supreme Court is ruining us". REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTX1JMGQ

Netanyahu's so-called 'settlement freeze'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly admitted that he has halted settlement construction because of the delicate international setup, but this is aimed at appeasing the United States, pretending that he is battling rightist coalition forces.

Islamic Jihad leader, Khader Adnan is hugged by his daughter upon his release from an Israeli jail, in the West Bank village of Arabeh near Jenin July 12, 2015. Israel on Sunday released Adnan from jail following a deal last month in which he agreed to end a 56-day hunger strike, Islamic Jihad sources in the West Bank said. REUTERS/Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1K24O

West Bank community welcomes Khader Adnan home from Israeli prison

The story of Khader Adnan, who was arrested twice by Israel and recently released, garnered public sympathy in Palestine and throughout the world.

Lebanon's Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (C) stands during a meeting of Druze spiritual figures in Beirut, Lebanon June 12, 2015. Members of Syria's Druze minority have helped repel a rebel attack on an army base in the south, mobilizing to confront insurgents including al Qaeda's Nusra Front who are trying to build on gains against President Bashar al-Assad. Some Druze leaders have warned of an existential threat facing their kin after Nusra Front fighters shot dead 20 people in a Druze village in northwester

Druze caught up in 'game of nations'

The Syrian Druze, staunch allies of the Assad regime, face an existential threat from opposition forces, which is why Druze leaders in neighboring countries have been calling for arming them and for better relations with the Sunni community.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Likud party meeting at the parliament in Jerusalem July 13, 2015. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX1K7NB

With Iran threat off table, Israel should resolve Palestinian issue

The nuclear deal with Iran actually offers Israel new opportunities, by pushing aside the ongoing focus on the nuclear threat and concentrating on resolving the conflict with the Palestinians.

Israeli parliament member Yaakov Litzman stands at a voting booth as he casts his ballot at a polling station in Jerusalem March 17, 2015. Millions of Israelis voted on Tuesday in a tightly fought election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing an uphill battle to defeat a strong campaign by the centre-left opposition to deny him a fourth term in office. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR4TNNN

Ultra-Orthodox Knesset members shy away from minister title

For many years, Israel's ultra-Orthodox politicians preferred to be nominated deputy ministers and not ministers, shrugging off official responsibility for a Jewish state run differently than their understanding of Jewish-religious rules.

Yair Lapid, head of Yesh Atid party, speaks to supporters during a conference in Holon near Tel Aviv March 12, 2015. Israelis will vote in a parliamentary election on March 17, choosing among party lists of candidates to serve in the 120-seat Knesset. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS) - RTR4T55G

Netanyahu hopes Iran deal will be steppingstone to Israeli unity government

Iranian nuke deal might present an opportunity for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand his narrow coalition.

Palestinians Hamas militants march during an anti-Israel rally in Gaza City July 8, 2015. July 8th marks the one-year anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The 50-day conflict began after Israel said it was determined to put an end to constant rocket-fire from Gaza, launching an intense air and ground assault to do so. It was the third major conflict between Israel and Hamas militants since the Islamist group seized control of Gaza in 2007. The fighting killed more than 2,100 Palestinians

Israel haunted by its mistakes in Gaza

Today, Israelis admit that the disengagement from Gaza was a mistake and wonder how the move could have gone had it been done in cooperation with the Palestinians.