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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 10:22 pm

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NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

A bride and group couple rides in a military jeep arriving for a public mass wedding ceremony at Imam Hossein Square in Tehran on May 18, 2026. Iran said on May 18 that it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that diplomatic exchanges continue despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive. Washington and Tehran have been swapping proposals in an effort to end the conflict which the US and Israel launched on February 28, but they have held only a sin

Analysis

Israel pushes for full Iran blockade as it awaits Trump's next move

Israel’s preferred strategy, sources told Al-Monitor, calls for a comprehensive naval, economic, land and air blockade of Iran, alongside tighter sanctions and covert activity aimed at destabilizing the regime.

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

Men gather around the husk of a destroyed pickup truck that was driven by a local shepherd who was reportedly struck by Israeli forces and buried by locals at a grave nearby, in the Najaf desert in southwestern Iraq, on May 12, 2026.

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

Iraqi authorities have said there are no longer any hostile forces operating in its territory.

Latest News

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

talks

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

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

JERUSALEM - MARCH 15: Muslims perform prayer outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque after the Islamic Waqf Department announced to close the enclosed prayer places as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Jerusalem on March 15, 2020. According to the statement, all prayers remain to be held in the [outdoor] courtyard and all doors will be open to worshipers. (Photo by Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Why Israeli, Palestinian religious leaders ignore coronavirus threat

Muslim and Jewish religious leaders in Israel and the West Bank are both guilty of conducting gatherings and prayers in public despite the coronavirus danger.

17 September 2019, Israel, Tel Aviv: Avigdor Liberman, Former Defense Minister of Israel and leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) right-wing party, tours down town Tel Aviv during the Israeli parliamentary elections. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa (Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Avigdor Liberman, key player of the Knesset takeover

Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman is the one pulling the strings behind recent developments and behind Blue and White's renewed drive to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he delivers a speech at his Jerusalem office, regarding the new measures that will be taken to fight the coronavirus, March 14, 2020. Gali Tibbon/Pool via REUTERS - RC2WJF92K7O8

Coronavirus: Netanyahu’s one-man show

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no qualms about testing the boundaries of democracy as he manages the coronavirus crisis in a quasi-centralized fashion.

Meet the women of the Knesset's Joint List

Out of the Joint List’s 15 members in the Knesset, four are women, and, despite the obstacles they face, they are determined to pursue their agendas in the Knesset.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - MARCH 20: An Israeli Fire Department crew man sprays disinfectants as he sanitize the entrance to Tel Aviv's Hospital children department on March 20, 2020 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Number of coronavirus in Israel continues to jump, after over 200 new cases have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

How Israel's media fails the country amid coronavirus, political crises

With political and health crises gripping Israel, the media has shirked its responsibility to challenge government officials and report the facts.

Yuli Edelstein, speaker of the Israeli Knesset, attends a plenum session at the lower house of parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, February 12, 2020. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse - RC20ZE9C9HN6

Chaos in Israel’s Knesset as speaker defies top court

The speaker of the Knesset rejects the Israeli High Court's firm suggestion that a vote be held for his position within two days; now the court must decide whether to order such a vote.

Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz seen during election campaign in Ramat Gan on February 25.
After 99 percent of votes counted, right-wing bloc led by Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu obtained 58 seats but 3 are missing to get a clear majority.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says today that Gantz is 'linking up with terrorists' supporters' alluding at possible union with Arab Alliance Joint List.
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Arab legislators at last to head major Knesset committees

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz took a courageous and historic move by pushing for two Arab legislators to head Knesset committees.

Palestinians jailed in Israel fear coronavirus outbreak

The Palestinian authorities are calling on Israel to release Palestinian inmates amid concerns of a potential coronavirus surge.

After bragging about being virus-free, first COVID-19 cases confirmed in Gaza

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had been shrugging off a lockdown announced by PA, saying Gaza had no virus cases.

Is there a coronavirus peace dividend for Israelis and Palestinians?

Cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to contain the coronavirus sparks hope for deeper cooperation as Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz edge closer to a unity government.

Coronavirus robs Bethlehem of Easter festivities

Easter, along with Chrismas, has been a high point for tourism in Bethlehem, the birthpace of Jesus, but alas, not this year.

A banner depicts Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, and Israel Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of Blue and White party's campaign ahead of the upcoming election, in Tel Aviv, Israel February 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ammar Awad TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2D2F9AUSHJ

Netanyahu, Gantz get closer to reaching unity government

Despite an earlier pledge by Israel's Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to not partner in a government with current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, negotiations between the two sides on a unity government are progressing.