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

Israel cover image

Israel

November 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:17 am

16°C

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

The Palestine Liberation Organization office is seen in Washington, U.S., November 19, 2017. U.S. State Department official said that under legislation passed by Congress, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could not renew a certification that expired this month for the PLO office. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RC1155BD2A70

Palestinians point finger at Israel for crisis with US

Palestinians blame Israel's ambassador to the United States for acting to close the PLO Washington office.

How Saudi regional moves impact Israel

The Saudi desire to change its role from a behind-the-scenes player to a forefront leader pushes it to engage in the US-led Mideast peace initiative.

Jordan, PA unite forces with Israel to fight natural disasters

Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and other countries participated in a two-day firefighting exercise to build a regional disaster response system, yet some Palestinians criticized the drills as increasing normalization with Israel.

Palestinian members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, display a home-made drone during a military parade marking the 27th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY ANNIVERSARY) - GM1EACE1NTL01

Are Hamas drones really a threat to Israel?

Hamas is highly motivated to develop its drone capabilities, according to an urgent report by Israel's state comptroller.

(FILES) Israeli Labor party leader Shimon Peres (l) addresses 20 November 1977 in Jerusalem the Knesset (parliament) as Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat (c) and Israeli Foreign minister Yitzhak Shamir (2nd-r) listen during Egypt's President historic visit to Israel. Talks between Sadat and Begin continued and after various delays an unexpected breakthrough occurred in September 1978 after talks at Camp David in the USA under the guidance of US President Carter, when Begin and Sadat signed two peace agreeme

Forty years after historic visit to Israel by Egypt's Sadat, both countries further apart

When visiting Jerusalem 40 years ago, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat had a vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace, but he was led astray.

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers - Palestine vs Bhutan - Hebron, Palestinian Territories - October 10, 2017 Palestine's players celebrate after scoring. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC1A16BBC980

In game of Israeli-Palestinian politics, athletes lose big

Israeli and Arab politicians have long turned sports competitions into political battlegrounds, at the expense of the athletes.

Zaka emergency personnel clean a bloodstain from the ground at the scene of a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel November 19, 2015. REUTERS/Nir Elias - GF20000066046

House advances diluted bill cutting Palestinian aid

Original supporters of the Taylor Force Act say pushback from Democrats and the Trump administration has watered down their legislation.

Israel in no hurry to enter Saudi-Lebanese fray

Israel is not at all interested in opening a front against Hezbollah just to please Saudi Arabia.

Will Islamic Jihad defy Hamas to attack Israel?

Palestinian Islamic Jihad says it is planning to avenge the deaths of members killed in a tunnel destroyed by Israel.

Palestine to get its own central bank

The Palestinian Monetary Authority has announced that it will open the Palestinian Central Bank after fulfilling all necessary requirements, but questions remain about if and when a national currency will be issued.

Israeli right’s anti-democratic laws penetrate everywhere

The accumulation of anti-democratic, anti-coexistence and nationalistic laws threatens the fabric of Israel’s society.

Israeli parents reject religious indoctrination at schools

Some Israeli parents blame Education Minister Naftali Bennett for inserting Jewish ideology into the curriculum of public schools.