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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 21, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:00 am

20°C

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

Latest News

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

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.

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

Members of the 22nd Knesset, the Israeli parliament, stand during their swearing-in ceremony, in Jerusalem October 3, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1172B0B270

Mergers, divisions change little in Israel’s political map

Even after the parties submitted their Knesset lists for the March elections, there is no significant change in the breakdown of power between the two blocs.

Rocket fire from Gaza threatens Israel-Hamas arrangement

Although the party behind recent missile attacks remains unclear, Israel held Hamas at least partially responsible and directed its military retaliation at the Islamist group.

Israel’s paring of Palestinian tax funds hampers PA budget preparation

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the 2020 budget will go back to being a regular one; the PA operated on an emergency budget last year after Israel cut the PA's tax funds.

Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti attends a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court January 25, 2012. Convicted of murder for his role in attacks on Israelis, Barghouti was jailed for life by Israel in 2004. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) - GM1E81P1AKC01

Why Hamas insists on release of jailed Fatah leader

Israel has refused the conditions set by Hamas for a future prisoner exchange deal, which include the release of imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.

Women's group brings equality to Talmud study

Over 3,000 women participated in a gathering to celebrate the completion of a seven and a half years of Talmud study put on by the Hadran association, dedicated to make practice inclusive of women.

Palestinian citizens in Israel expect to get 15 seats in Knesset

Israel's Palestinian citizens are expecting to expand their number of seats in the next Israeli Knesset due in part to their united position in the Arab Joint List.

(From L to R) Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pose for a photo before signing a deal to build the EastMed subsea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe, at the Zappeion Hall in Athens, Greece, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis - RC2U7E9A69GD

Egypt unruffled by EastMed pipeline project

Now that Cyprus, Greece and Israel have agreed to build a subsea pipeline to supply Europe with natural gas, officials are downplaying its potential impact on Egypt's ambition to become a regional energy hub.

A Labour party election banner depicting party leader Amir Peretz and writing in Arabic reading "industrial areas in all Arab and Druze cities" is seen next to another election banner depicting Issawi Frej, an Arab politician in the left-wing Meretz party with Arabic writing that reads "This time we will participate in government", in Tira, northern Israel September 5, 2019. Picture taken September 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1C5F38BCB0

Israel’s left to pay price for ignoring Arab voters

The merger between Labor-Gesher and Meretz created a new list that doesn't include even a single Arab candidate for the March Knesset elections.

What will happen first: Iranian nuclear bomb or fall of the regime?

Israel is concerned not only about Iran enriching uranium to assemble a nuclear bomb but also about the possibility of Iran developing a missile that could carry such a bomb.

Netanyahu — not Mr. Security, not Mr. Economy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers that Israel’s growing deficit will not come up on the March election agenda.

What’s behind Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's foreign tour?

The Hamas delegation returned to the Gaza Strip from a foreign tour in which it sought further support for the Palestinian cause from the international community.

Demonstrators hold Jordanian national flags and chant slogans during a protest against a government's agreement to import natural gas from Israel, in Amman, Jordan, January 3, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RC2D8E91H7LV

Jordanians press case against importing Israeli gas

A confrontation between the Jordanian government and parliament looms after the launch of a trial run pumping Israeli natural gas to Jordan amid vocal public opposition.