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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 23, 2026

Tel Aviv 10:44 am

26°C

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Pakistan military chief holds Iran talks, Israel's Netanyahu fears being left out

US President Donald Trump's comment that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do "whatever I want” is troubling the premier's inner circle ahead of the elections in October.

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

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Ireland joins EU push to ban trade with Israeli settlements amid flotilla backlash

European frustration with Israel intensified this week after a far-right Israeli minister posted a video of the mistreatment of international activists detained in the country.

Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images

Israel targets Turkey charity amid Gaza flotilla tensions

The request, published in Israeli media, marks a further escalation in tensions with Turkey amid disputes over Gaza aid operations.

Latest News

Interview

Ahmad Tibi says Arab parties in Israel can block Netanyahu without joining next government

Arab-Israeli Knesset member Ahmed Tibi takes part in a demonstration against rising crime rates against Arab-Israelis in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 31, 2026.

Ahmad Tibi

Ahmad Tibi

Israeli Arab lawmaker

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

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)

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

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.

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

Can Palestinians survive PA's disengagement from Israel?

The Palestinian Authority's announced goal of disengaging from Israel appears to be dismissive of the geo-political environment in which it is operating and the devastating consequences such a move will have for Palestinians on the West Bank and in Gaza.

Likud seniors silent on hate campaign against Netanyahu’s rival

Senior Likud members are so afraid about their future Cabinet portfolios, they keep silent over the incitement campaign launched by associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Gideon Saar.

Israeli Prime minister Bejamin Netanyahu sits in the Supreme Court before he speaks at a hearing about the legality of a government-approved deal to develop Israel's offshore natural gas reserves in Jerusalem, February 14, 2016. REUTERS/ Jim Hollander/ POOL - GF10000308252

Netanyahu battles judicial system, tarnishes Israel’s image

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is destroying Israel's image as a democratic state in a shameless battle against the Supreme Court in an attempt to protect himself from indictment.

An Israeli settler walks between concrete walls for protection at the Jewish West Bank settlement of Ganim. An Israeli settler walks between concrete walls for protection at the Jewish West Bank settlement of Ganim, May 24, 2005. Ganim and another three Jewish settlements, Kadim, Homesh and Sa-Nur, at the northern part of the West Bank are about to be removed as part of Israel's disengagement plan in Gaza and north Samaria. Photo taken May 24, 2005. REUTERS/Nir Elias - RP6DRNASSZAC

Netanyahu’s dilemma: settlements versus immunity

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must deal with the problematic demand that he include reversing disengagement from the northern West Bank as part of a coalition agreement.

TEHRAN, IRAN - MAY 4, 2008: People visit book stands with pictures of Ayatollah Khomeini (R) and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) displayed outside, at the 21st Tehran International Book Fair on the city's congregational prayer site on May 4, 2008 in Tehran, Iran. The annual event showcases 200,000 titles from 1700 domestic and 840 international publishers from 75 countries. The books will be presented under categories for General, Academic, Educational and Children's books. (Photo by Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)

Iran's burgeoning ‘resistance literature’: A new front?

Despite an ongoing “paper crisis” that has engulfed both print media and publishers, “resistance literature” promoted by the Iranian political establishment is reaching new heights.

Israeli legal experts join Druze against Nationality Law

A group of Israeli legal experts have drafted an amendment to the Nationality Law to codify equality for all citizens.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacts at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office May 12, 2019. Gali Tibbon/Pool via REUTERS - RC1CF7A3A580

Can doing nothing bring down Netanyahu?

With the days allotted by law for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government soon to expire, some of his potential partners have adopted a tactic that could mean his political end..

Gaza soda bottler opens West Bank site to deal with siege

Pepsi Palestine, based in the Gaza Strip, has opened a new branch in the West Bank in light of the Gaza siege and Israeli restrictions, and some analysts fear such action could contribute to the collapse of the already-fragile economy in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem May 5, 2019. Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS - RC11FA84D670

Why Netanyahu's so quiet on US-Iran conflict

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being cautious about engaging Israel in the US-Iran tensions, though he would surely not object to an American attack on Iran.

Netanyahu's coalition stumbles over secular-religious standoff

Avigdor Liberman has set his secular agenda as precondition for joining the coalition government.

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu look on during the Middle East summit in Warsaw, Poland, February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel - RC1695A9F040

Netanyahu embraces anti-Semites to preserve far-right alliance

As long as European anti-Semites serve his goal of blocking sanctions against Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have no problem with them.

Eurovision welcomed to Israel with anti-occupation billboard

The anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence prepared its own Eurovision billboard, showing tourists the other face of Israel, that of West Bank occupation.