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

Israel cover image

Israel

July 17, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:50 am

25°C

US Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Wisconsin Air National Guard facility at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on July 8, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Vance says Israeli intelligence had ties to Epstein: What to know

Vice President JD Vance has grown more critical of Israel, possibly in an effort to capitalize on changing views among voters with an eye on the 2028 presidential election.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on July 5, 2026.

Israeli PM Netanyahu 'will not travel' to US next week, his office says

On Wednesday, an Israeli official had told Al-Monitor that Netanyahu was planning to travel on Saturday and meet with President Donald Trump next week and attend the memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

BEIRUT, LEBANON - OCTOBER 13: Lebanese people wave flags and hold portraits of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (not pictured) as he arrives in southern suberb of Beirut on October 13, 2010 in Lebanon. The controversial visit is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah. According to reports Mr Ahmadinejad may visit the border with Israel - the site of recent deadly clashes between Israeli and Lebanese forces. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know

The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership.

Latest News

Analysis

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

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

Explainer

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

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

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

Frej

Interview

Israeli Minister Frej joins Palestinian aid summit in Brussels

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Israel’s Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Frej said that while a strong Palestinian Authority is "of course a Palestinian interest ... it is also an Israeli and international interest."

Esawi Frej

Esawi Frej

Minister for Regional Cooperation of Israel

Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images

Tensions ease as Israel, Russia affirm 'mutual respect'

A diplomatic crisis between Israel and Russia has eased as Russia's leader apologized for his foreign minister's offensive remark and the world celebrates Victory Day over the Nazis.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office, Jerusalem, March 27, 2022.

Israel’s prime minister loses grip on own party

With one Knesset member declared rebel and another one quitting the coalition, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett might soon find himself without a party at all.

Magic mushrooms sit in a fridge on July 18, 2005, in London, England.

Israeli company reveals nasal spray of psychedelic mushrooms

Madrigal Mental Care says the spray treats post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental challenges. Some experts believe magic mushrooms have health benefits, though they come with risks.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

British company announces new gas discovery off Israeli coast

Israel’s relatively new natural gas supply plays a major role in the country’s relations with its neighbors in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (L) and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan give a joint press conference, Ankara, Turkey, March 9, 2022.

Turkish foreign minister to visit Israel

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's visit to Israel May 24 could finally open the way for both countries to reinstate their ambassadors.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (C) and his wife, Galit.

Israeli government rocked by bereaved parents' protests

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett knew that bereaved parents would protest against him on Memorial Day and chose to remain silent, respecting their pain.

The Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, is decorated with Israeli national flags ahead of Israel's 74th Independence Day, Hebron, West Bank, May 3, 2022,

Independence Day terror attack could force Israel to act in Gaza

The especially gruesome terror attack on Independence Day in which assailants attacked passers-by with axes might force Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to end Israel’s restraint in the Gaza Strip.

Ben-Gurion University

Beersheba evolves into Israeli tech powerhouse

With financial benefits, investment in infrastructure and a vibrant university, Israel's southern city of Beersheba is swiftly becoming a hub for both international and local high tech companies.

Mansour Abbas

Muslim party may resume membership in Israeli coalition

Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas' coordination with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett about his visit last week to Jordan and his meeting with King Abdullah might signal that he is willing to end his party’s suspension of activity in the coalition.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

Israel lays groundwork for Biden visit

President Joe Biden is expected to arrive in Israel in late June.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Russian-Israeli tensions escalate over Ukraine, Holocaust

Jerusalem and Moscow continue to exchange accusations following the Sunday statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Hitler was of Jewish descent.