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Israel

July 14, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:51 pm

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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

National Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon maps out December 5 his vision of an Israeli security zone stretching deep into the West Bank on land Palestinians see as part of a future state. Sharon spoke while leading members of the Foreign Press Association on a tour of West Bank Jewish settlements. - RTXH39C

Sharon's legacy: Only death is irreversible

The late Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's legacy, including the disengagement from Gaza, was designed to hinder an agreement with the Palestinians in the West Bank.

Palestinians step on crossed-out posters depicting late former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as they celebrate his passing in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip January 11, 2014. Sharon, the trailblazing warrior-statesman who transformed the region and was reviled by Arab foes over generations of conflict, died on Saturday at 85 eight years after suffering a massive stroke. Palestinians in Gaza were handing out sweets to passersby and motorists in celebration of Sharon's passing. REUTERS/Ibraheem

Palestinians in Gaza celebrate Sharon's death

While many Palestinians in Gaza are glad to see Sharon pass, several factions have expressed disappointment at the Israeli leader's dying without facing justice for crimes committed.

Bedouins carry the body of Salah Abu Latif during his funeral in the Bedouin town of Rahat in southern Israel December 25, 2013. A Gaza sniper shot dead Latif over the border on Tuesday and Israel hit back with air strikes on two Hamas training camps which hospital officials said killed a Palestinian girl near one of the targets. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS OBITUARY) - RTX16TRK

Slow but steady escalation between Gaza, Israel

The growing economic crisis in the Gaza Strip and frustration over Hamas' rule play into the hands of small jihadist terror organizations, which fire at Israel and destabilize the status quo.

The rise and fall of Israeli PR king Rani Rahav

Public relations powerhouse Rani Rahav has represented most of Israel's rich and famous, until becoming himself the product he sells: a symbol of a society who cares little for the poor and cherishes fast money.

Palestinian villagers stand in front of Jewish settlers after they were detained in the West Bank village of Qusra near Nablus January 7, 2014. Palestinian villagers on Tuesday detained and beat up a group of Israeli settlers before freeing them, accusing the group of having thrown rocks at farmers tending their fields in the occupied West Bank. The incident added to simmering tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian villagers in the West Bank with the United States struggling to usher forward Isra

Israeli 'price tag' extremists determined to set the territories ablaze

Both Israeli and Palestinian extremists try to inflame a new cycle of confrontations: marginalized settler youth on one side, established Palestinian terror organizations on the other.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - JANUARY 09: Members of the press are seen through a cracked window while waiting for an update on Former PM Ariel Sharon's condition at the Tel Hashomer hospital on January 9, 2014 near Tel Aviv, Israel. according to Prof. Zeev Rotstein the director general of the Tel Hashomer hospital PM Ariel Sharon's condition is critical and he is suffering from a multiple organ failure,Sharon, 85, is hospitalised in Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv, and has been comatose since January 4, 2006 whe

No Palestinian tears for Sharon

Palestinians will not be mourning the loss of Israeli strongman Ariel Sharon, whom they remember as the "Butcher of Beirut."

Israeli parliament members Isaac Herzog (L) and Hilik Bar (C) shake hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they attend a meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah October 7, 2013. Abbas held a rare meeting with the group of Israeli parliamentarians on Monday, warning that this could be the last chance to reach a deal to end decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict and create two independent states living side-by-side. REUTERS/Abbas Momani/Pool (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX142QP

Israel awaits Netanyahu verdict on Kerry framework

Israel waits to see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position on a document of principles.

Pharaonic artefacts are seen on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, September 30, 2013. Visitors are gradually returning after the worst civil violence in Egypt's modern history, offering hope to an industry that has been brought to its knees, depriving millions of their livelihood and the economy of badly needed dollars. Picture taken September 30, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY TRAVEL) - RTX14AM8

Egypt conducts global search for stolen antiquities

Following successful diplomatic efforts to recover 90 smuggled artifacts from Israel last November, Egyptian authorities continue their efforts to crack down on the antiquities trade and repatriate stolen items.

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman arrives at the Entebbe international airport 42km (25 miles) south of Uganda's capital Kampala, September 9, 2009. Lieberman, accompanied by business and military delegation, is on an official African visit to Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Nigeria. REUTERS/James Akena (UGANDA POLITICS) - RTR27MUJ

Liberman looks to expands Israel-Africa ties

Israel has a pending request to join the African Union as a non-African observer member.

Israeli settler campaign mocks Kerry

In an interview with Al-Monitor, OneVoice CEO Laura Talinovsky condemns the defamation campaign led by the My Israel group against US Secretary of State John Kerry.

An African migrant sits with compatriots on the third day of protests against Israel's detention policy toward migrants it sees as illegal job-seekers, in Tel Aviv's Levinsky park January 7, 2014. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY IMMIGRATION) - RTX17549

African refugees teach Israeli society lesson in civics

After years of ignoring the fate of African asylum seekers, the human dilemma has risen to the top of Israel's public discourse, forcing the authorities to confront it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Finance Minister Yair Lapid leave after a joint news conference in Jerusalem July 3, 2013. Israel initiated a tender for two new private seaports to operate beside existing government-owned ports in Haifa and Ashdod in a bid to stir up competition and lower the costs of good in Israel. Each new port will cost about $1 billion to build. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11AV6

Lapid on peace talks: 'Our role is to back the prime minister'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid says that the main role of his party within the coalition is to make sure that the Israeli government remains committed to negotiations with the Palestinians, calling US Secretary of State John Kerry "a very fair mediator."