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Israel

July 18, 2026

Tel Aviv 7:22 pm

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Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during a protest against their conscription, Bnei Brak, Israel, July 16, 2024.

Analysis

How Netanyahu's bet on ultra-Orthodox exposes his vulnerability in Israel's upcoming election

The prime minister needs the support of the ultra-Orthodox, who reject mandatory conscription, if he is to have a chance at winning reelection and forming the next government.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a session of the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on July 16, 2026, before the start of the election recess ahead of the Oct. 27 general election.

Analysis

Trump's ‘180-degree reversal’ on Lebanon, Syria leaves Netanyahu with few options before elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes an Israeli withdrawal from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon will help ease tensions with President Donald Trump.

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

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.).

Latest News

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

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)

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

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

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

2 Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire

The incident comes less than a week after two Israeli pilots were killed in a helicopter crash off Haifa.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s coalition in crisis over tree planting in Bedouin areas

The crisis within the coalition over a forestation project on lands used by Bedouin communities in the Negev has won Israel’s opposition some victories in the Knesset.

Barnea

Report says Mossad chief had met with Libyan PM

Arab media outlets claimed yesterday that Mossad Director David Barnea met in Jordan recently with Khalifa Hifter’s rival, Libyan transition Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh.

The US Department of State is seen on Jan. 6, 2020, in Washington, DC.

US seeks 'clarification' from Israel after Palestinian-American detained by IDF found dead

Omar Abdalmajeed Asaad died after he was detained in an Israeli raid in the West Bank village of Jiljilya, his family and Palestinian officials said.

Sarahbeth Maney/Getty Images

Israel pledges to keep US in loop on trade with China

In the face of growing American concerns, Jerusalem has reportedly promised Washington it will keep it abreast of any major business deals with Beijing.

Bennett

As omicron spreads, Israelis turn against Bennett

Many Israelis feel that the government and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett have lost control over battling the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Protests erupt over Israeli plan to plant trees near Bedouin villages

Area Bedouins protested this morning against the Jewish National Fund's plan to plant trees on land they use for agriculture.

Newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attend a handover ceremony at President Shimon Peres' residence, Jerusalem, April 1, 2009.

Netanyahu sues Olmert for defamation

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert faced in court former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is suing him for libel over saying that Netanyahu and his family members are "mentally ill."

Yesh Atid

Israel’s Lapid celebrates 10 years since founding Yesh Atid

Ten years after founding his own party, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid keeps low profile so as not to jeopardize his chances of taking over the premiership in a year and a half.

Israeli Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz attends the launch of the "German Israeli Health Forum for Artificial Intelligence," Berlin, Germany, Oct. 28, 2021.

Israel greenlights surrogacy for same-sex couples, single men

In a historic move, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced last week that as of Jan. 11, surrogacy procedures will be open for everyone in the country, same-sex couples, single men and transgender people included.

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli environmentalists, neighbors blast plan for new town in Negev

Despite Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked's enthusiasm, both green groups and neighboring towns are unhappy with a plan to build a new village near the Gaza border.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Israel angles for benefits from new deal with Iran

Having reached the conclusion that a new Iran deal is inevitable, Israel is now focusing on getting tactical assurances and military support from the United States.