Ben Caspit

Ben Caspit is a columnist for Al-Monitor's Israel Pulse. He is also a senior columnist and political analyst for Israeli newspapers and has a daily radio show and regular TV shows on politics and Israel. On Twitter: @BenCaspit

Israel Pulse | Mar 31, 2023

Analysis

Israel’s Netanyahu has made himself persona non grata in Washington

The conciliatory phone call between Blinken and Cohen could not hide the growing rift and even crisis developing between Jerusalem and the Biden administration.

Israel Pulse | Mar 27, 2023

Analysis

Israeli PM Netanyahu, under pressure from military brass, delays judicial overhaul

The dramatic developments in Israel in the past 48 hours seemed to have pushed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to put a pause on the judicial changes.

Mounted Israeli police stand guard as protesters gather outside Israel's parliament in Jerusalem amid ongoing demonstrations and calls for a general strike against the hard-right government's controversial push to overhaul the justice system, on March 27, 2023. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel Pulse | Mar 24, 2023

Analysis

Avalanche of security chiefs warn Netanyahu: Israel on brink of the abyss

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems deaf to warnings by Israeli security chiefs that the growing rift within Israeli society could end up in a strategic disaster.

People demonstrate at the Brandenburg Gate during the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against possible legislation in Israel that would undermine the role of Israel's Supreme Court, Berlin, Germany, March 16, 2023.

Israel Pulse | Mar 21, 2023

Biden losing patience with Netanyahu over judicial overhaul, democratic values

After statements by several senior US officials criticizing Israel’s judicial overhaul plan, it was President Joe Biden himself that scolded Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to forge a compromise in Israel.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) sits with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a dinner at the Prime Minister's residence March 9, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Biden, visiting Israel as part of U.S.-led efforts to restart Middle East peace talks, on Tuesday condemned Israel's plans for 1,600 new homes in an area of the occupied West Bank it has annexed to Jerusalem. (Photo by Baz Ratner-Pool/Getty Images)

Israel Pulse | Mar 17, 2023

Analysis

Hezbollah, Hamas seek to exploit Israel's internal weakness to attack

The security incident last Monday near the border with Lebanon worries the IDF, as Hezbollah tries to exploit the ongoing crisis in Israel.

Israeli armored military vehicles and humvees patrol along the border with Lebanon near the northern kibbutz of Bar'am, Israel, March 15, 2023.

Israel Pulse | Mar 14, 2023

Analysis

Former IDF commanders in Washington to appeal to Biden on Israel’s judicial overhaul

As the Israeli government fast-tracks its judicial overhaul plans, former IDF officers are hoping that pressure by the Biden administration could derail them before it's too late.

Israel Pulse | Mar 10, 2023

Tensions in West Bank threaten Israel-US intelligence cooperation

Top US Gen. Milley delivered "unprecedented message" to Israeli officials, warning that internal chaos and growing tensions in the West Bank could endanger the country’s strategic relations with the United States.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give a statement after their meeting at the prime minister's office, Jerusalem, April 12, 2021.

Israel Pulse | Mar 7, 2023

Analysis

Military reservists' protest of judicial overhaul hurting Israel's deterrence

IDF reservist doctors, pilots and soldiers are warning they will not show up for duty if the government goes ahead with its controversial judicial reforms.

Israelis take part in ongoing protests against controversial legal reforms being touted by the country's hard-right government, in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel Pulse | Mar 3, 2023

Analysis

Far-right ministers endanger Israel's ties with US

Statements by senior Israeli officials in favor of "wiping out" the Palestinian Huwara village, as well as calls for the US "to mind its own business," are threatening the strategically important alliance between the two countries.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Economy Minister Nir Barkat look on during a press conference at the prime minister's office, Jerusalem, Jan. 25, 2023.

Israel Pulse | Feb 28, 2023

Analysis

Israel's Netanyahu loses control as far-right ministers feed West Bank fires

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scrambling to rein in his far-right ministers as the violence in the region worsens by the day.

Ben Caspit

Israel’s Netanyahu has made himself persona non grata in Washington

Israeli PM Netanyahu, under pressure from military brass, delays judicial overhaul

Avalanche of security chiefs warn Netanyahu: Israel on brink of the abyss

Biden losing patience with Netanyahu over judicial overhaul, democratic values

Hezbollah, Hamas seek to exploit Israel's internal weakness to attack

Former IDF commanders in Washington to appeal to Biden on Israel’s judicial overhaul

Tensions in West Bank threaten Israel-US intelligence cooperation

Military reservists' protest of judicial overhaul hurting Israel's deterrence

Far-right ministers endanger Israel's ties with US

Israel's Netanyahu loses control as far-right ministers feed West Bank fires

Podcasts

Turkey analyst Merve Tahiroglu says Kurds will back opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu to unseat Erdogan in first round

Ben Caspit

Israel’s Netanyahu has made himself persona non grata in Washington

Israeli PM Netanyahu, under pressure from military brass, delays judicial overhaul

Avalanche of security chiefs warn Netanyahu: Israel on brink of the abyss

Biden losing patience with Netanyahu over judicial overhaul, democratic values

Hezbollah, Hamas seek to exploit Israel's internal weakness to attack

Former IDF commanders in Washington to appeal to Biden on Israel’s judicial overhaul

Tensions in West Bank threaten Israel-US intelligence cooperation

Military reservists' protest of judicial overhaul hurting Israel's deterrence

Far-right ministers endanger Israel's ties with US

Israel's Netanyahu loses control as far-right ministers feed West Bank fires

Latest News

Turkish exile faces fifth trial over deadly 1998 blast

Quake hit one-fifth of Turkey's food production: UN

Israeli protesters back government's judicial overhaul

Podcasts

Turkey analyst Merve Tahiroglu says Kurds will back opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu to unseat Erdogan in first round