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

Israel cover image

Israel

November 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 5:28 am

15°C

Marco Longari / AFP via Getty Images

France denies entry for Israeli settler leader: 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

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest against Israel's military action in Gaza, after Friday prayers in Durban July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Rogan Ward (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR404V5

South African Jews, not Israel, suffer from boycott

The BDS movement has been active in South Africa for years, but it's the local Jewish community, not Israel-South Africa bilateral trade relations, that are paying the price of the boycott calls.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a briefing at the Israeli army's Home Front Command base in Ramle near Tel Aviv, Israel June 2, 2015. Israel launched a five-day annual home front defence exercise on Sunday, preparing soldiers and civilians for missile attacks. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTR4YIVS

Why didn’t Netanyahu attack Iran?

This week it was disclosed that there was a serious disagreement between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the heads of the security apparatus in 2010, when Netanyahu considered attacking Iran.

Israeli soldiers carry their comrade during a military exercise in the region bordering the Gaza Strip, southern Israel June 7, 2015. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTX1FI8P

Israel's Gaza disengagement legacy

Israel's disengagement from Gaza should not be perceived as a disaster but as a first step amid many more that guarantee Israel's Jewish majority.

Palestinian men face prison sentences for Facebook posts

Facebook posts by a number of Palestinian men have been deemed inciteful to violence by the magistrate’s court in Jerusalem, amid public uproar calling the legality of the charges into question.

Netanyahu derails debate on boycott, occupation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views the boycott campaign against Israel through a prism of anti-Semitism and is avoiding public debate over the BDS movement's motives, namely the occupation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a meeting of his new cabinet, in honor of Jerusalem day, at the Israeli Museum in Jerusalem May 19, 2015. REUTERS/Atef Safadi/Pool - RTX1DLBQ

Fall of the Israeli Foreign Ministry

The traditional roles of the ministry — namely building bridges of common interests with the international community or engaging in a viable Middle East peace process — have evaporated with Israel's most right-wing government.

Activists gesture from the "Stefano Chiarini" ship, which is part of the "Freedom Flotilla II", during a demonstration against the Greek authorities' ban on Gaza-bound ships on the Greek island of Corfu July 2, 2011. Greek authorities said on Friday that ships destined for Gaza -- which involves transit through international waters -- were prohibited from leaving Greek ports. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (GREECE - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2ODFT

Gazans nervous as next freedom flotilla nears

After successive failed attempts, a third freedom flotilla will set sail to the Gaza Strip, though many activists expect Israeli opposition.

A Palestinian Bedouin woman stands next to her sheep in the West Bank village of Al-Eizariya, near east of Jerusalem September 18. 2014. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS ANIMALS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR46STW

Bedouin face expulsion as Israel builds Greater Jerusalem

Bedouin communities in the highlands of Jerusalem are facing evacuation threats by Israeli authorities who purportedly plan to use the land to expand the settlements.

Palestinians supporting Hamas chant slogans during a rally celebrating Hamas student supporters winning the student council election at Birzeit University in the West Bank city of Ramallah April 23, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman
- RTX19YL4

Israel, Hamas need each other

Elements within the Israeli security establishment propose to negotiate with Hamas and enable Gaza to benefit from Israeli distillation facilities, electricity services and employment opportunities, while assuring Israel a certain degree of calm.

Tourists visit Herodium, where Herod's fortress palace once stood, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem March 31, 2015. Israeli archaeologists have recently uncovered a grand arched walkway built by Herod the Great at his palace of Herodium that sheds more light on the formidable building projects of the Jewish Roman king. After the palace-fort was completed, Herod appears to have changed his mind and he ordered the entire mound, including the walkway, to be buried under rubble and it remained hidden un

Israelis travel under radar to tour Jericho, Bethlehem

Hundreds of Israelis are discreetly visiting Jericho and Bethlehem to see archaeological marvels and enjoy local hospitality.

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses while speaking during his meeting with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington May 29, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTR4Y31T

Obama warns Israelis of settlement policy consequences

In an interview with Israeli journalist Ilana Dayan, President US Barack Obama warns that the international community has ceased believing in Israel's willingness to negotiate peace.

Palestinians Hamas supporters chant slogans as they take part in a rally ahead of the 27th anniversary of the movement founding, in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip December 12, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4HR30

Amnesty report causes uproar within Hamas

Hamas officials describe a new Amnesty International report on the group's execution of alleged collaborators with Israel as unprofessional.