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

Israel cover image

Israel

July 14, 2026

Tel Aviv 6:37 am

23°C

Israelis turn out to cast their ballots on election day for the 20th Knesset on March 17, 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Explainer

Israel's next election: Who's leading in polls and what's at stake?

After months of negotiations and speculations, the coalition announced that general elections will take place on Oct. 27.

Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now

Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand.

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

Former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot speaks during the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Aharon, in central Israel, on June 30, 2026.

New Israeli election poll puts Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu: What to know

Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has now bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the polls, cementing his status as Netanyahu’s main opponent.

Latest News

Trump declares MoU with Iran 'over' as Hegseth cancels trip to Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not shown) for bilateral talks at Beştepe Presidential Compound during the NATO Summit on July 08, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Explainer

Lebanon's latest damage estimate outlines reconstruction challenge

Froun

Analysis

Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes US President Donald Trump (R) upon his arrival on Air Force One at Etimesgut Air Base near Ankara, on July 7, 2026, before attending the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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

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

Netanyahu and Gantz at Knesset swearing-in

A tale of two elections: Netanyahu, Abbas face the abyss

The Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president are both losing control of their traditional coalitions.

Israeli Arab politician, leader of the United Arab list, Mansour Abbas (C) attends consultations with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (L) on who might form the next coalition government, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021.

Arab parties to determine Israeli government

Head of Ra’am Party Mansour Abbas and members of the Arab Joint List now have the power to decide what the next government will look like.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel fails to intercept missile from Syria

Despite Israel's extensive missile defense systems, a missile from Syria managed to reach the south of the country.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel churns out tech unicorns

Another 16 Israeli companies passed the billion-dollar valuation target in 2020.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Jerusalem seethes with clashes between Jews, Arabs

The week has been violent in Jerusalem with both Israeli Jews and Arabs reportedly attacking each other in well documented incidents.

Sudanese businessman Abu al-Qassem Bortoum speaks during an inter-faith event to promote religious tolerance in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, on Feb. 6, 2021. The Sudanese businessman defended hosting the event in the Muslim-majority country that also included Jews, Christians and Hindus. Critics from an Islamist group had argued such events would heighten tensions a month after Sudan's landmark decision to normalize ties with Israel in a US-brokered deal.

Israel to keep lower profile on advancing ties with Sudan

Israel’s recent enthusiasm for constructing ties with Sudan might have scared Khartoum, which prefers advancing more discreetly.

ALEX KOLOMOISKY/AFP via Getty Images

Anti-Netanyahu bloc gets second chance

The vote over the Knesset’s Arrangement Committee has offered the so-called Bloc for Change a second shot at assembling the next government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony honoring Israel's fallen soldiers at the Mount Herzel military cemetery during Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance Day), Jerusalem, April 14, 2021.

Desperate Netanyahu could fail to compose government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of April 2021 is a wounded animal, whose attention is focused on one goal only: saving himself.

Marine life at a coral reef in the Red Sea waters off the coast of the southern port city of Eilat, Israel, Feb. 10, 2021.

Israel protects two rare fish species in Mediterranean

Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel published a law amendment to protect the Goldblotch grouper fish and the dusky groupers, but marine life lovers say the measures are not enough to ensure the recovery of these species.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House on September 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. Prime Minister Netanyahu signed a peace deal with the UAE and a declaration of intent to make peace with Bahrain.

Could Abraham accords work in favor of Israeli left?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended for the Abraham Accords to serve him politically, but Israeli left may have also gotten a boost.

checkpoint near Bethleham

Palestinians attend prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque amid Israeli virus restrictions

Israeli officials controlling access to the mosque had limited the number of Palestinians able to worship on Friday, citing coronavirus concerns.

Foreign ministers on the Cyprus coast

Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Emirates hold strategic meeting

Top foreign affairs officials of Israel, Greece, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates meet in Cyprus.