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Israel

June 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 9:41 am

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EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit, on June 16, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Leaders from the Group of 7 (G7) countries convened in Evian, France, near the Swiss border, for their annual summit to discuss challenges to peace and security for Ukraine and Europe, the situation in the Middle East, and other geopolitical issues. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Get

'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon

President Donald Trump insisted he has a great relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but criticized the scale of Israel’s strikes in Lebanon.

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir takes part in the Jerusalem Day celebrations on May 14, 2026, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Explainer

Ben-Gvir's move to run separately in Israel elections revives debate over party alliances

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Jewish Power party, has refused to merge with the far-right Religious Zionism party ahead of the elections.

Latest News

Analysis

'He knew it was over': Inside Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s Iran deal as Israel recalibrates

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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

Analysis

Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House in New York on Sept. 19, 2023.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Squeezed by Trump and Iran war, how vulnerable is Netanyahu in polls?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, DC, July 7, 2025.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 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

Israeli policemen work inside a restaurant following a shooting attack that took place in the center of Tel Aviv June 8, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTSGN35

How to end cycle of violence between Palestinians, Israelis

The latest attack in a Tel Aviv market raises questions about the factors pushing Palestinians to commit such acts of violence against Israelis and illustrates the need for talks about applying the two-state solution to end the cycle of violence between both parties.

Gazans lament loss of permits to visit Al-Aqsa during Ramadan

Al-Monitor spoke to the members of a group from the Gaza Strip who visited Jerusalem and prayed at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the eve of Ramadan, before the travel permits of hundreds of Gaza residents were suspended following the Tel Aviv attack on June 8.

Israeli policemen secure the entrance to a restaurant following a shooting attack in the center of Tel Aviv June 8, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - RTSGMSB

Father of Tel Aviv attacker: If I had the chance, I'd ask Khaled why he did it

The father of Tel Aviv attacker Khaled Mahmara told Al-Monitor he did not know about the intentions of his son.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes a speech during a campaign stop in Lynwood, California, United States, June 6, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake - RTSGAC9

Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton?

Arab-Americans tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, but will the community coalesce around Hillary Clinton despite the attraction of Bernie Sanders’ views on the Middle East?

The education of Israel's new defense minister

In the past, Avigdor Liberman was called to use an iron fist against Palestinians in order to curb terror, but as Israel's new defense minister he might change his tone.

A Palestinian man sells lanterns ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Khan in the southern of Gaza Strip June 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RTSG2IG

Gaza markets full of Ramadan treats, but who can afford them?

With the onset of Ramadan, Gaza’s merchants have plenty of goods to sell for fair prices, but face a costumer base with very little cash.

Could Netanyahu-Liberman surprise us?

Recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman could indicate readiness for a diplomatic move, but could also be misleading and a play for time.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Israel's defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman (L) during a special Cabinet meeting to mark Jerusalem Day in Ein Lavan Spring located in the outskirts of Jerusalem 02 June 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool - RTX2FAFI

Netanyahu's two-state bluff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his willingness to adopt parts of the Arab Peace Initiative, conveniently ignoring the essential parts of Palestinian statehood along the 1967 borderlines.

What are Jerusalem Day festivities really celebrating?

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes pride in his "united Jerusalem," the truth is that the city is more divided than ever as Jerusalem Day celebrants ignore the severe discrimination against the city's Arab population.

The lost children of Israel's foreign workers

Most of the children born to foreign workers in Israel are never granted permanent residency or Israeli nationality and feel rejected by Israeli society.

Will Bibi's love of luxury be his downfall?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, known for his extravagant tastes, is caught up in a scandal involving funding from a French billionaire on trial for corruption.

New York Yankees former pitcher Mariano Rivera (C) stands next to Israeli tourism minister Yariv Levin (5th L) as they listen to a tour guide during a visit to the Tower of David in Jerusalem's Old City June 18, 2015. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX1H2SQ

How long will Bibi's government last?

In an interview, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin explained the political maneuvering to stabilize the government that turned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Avigdor Liberman and away from the Zionist Camp.