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Israel

July 18, 2026

Tel Aviv 9:25 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

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on Jan. 2, 2022.

Electricity law connects Bedouin homes to Israel’s power grid

Approved yesterday by the Knesset, the new electricity law will enable connecting Bedouin homes constructed without permits to the country’s power and water grids.

Palestinians take part in a protest against the Israeli decision to declare six Palestinian human rights groups "terror organizations," in Gaza City on Nov. 10, 2021.

Netherlands cuts funding to Palestinian group blacklisted by Israel

The decision came despite the fact that a Dutch government audit determined the Union of Agricultural Work Committees had no "organizational ties" to a Palestinian terrorist group.

Jordanian King Abdullah meets in his palace with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (L), Amman, Jordan, Jan. 5 2022.

Gantz, King Abdullah discuss regional stability

Clearly it is no coincidence that Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz met in Amman with Jordanian King Abdullah one week only after hosting in his Rosh Ha’ayin home Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Israel's Gantz, Jordanian king hold rare meeting in Amman

During the meeting, Jordanian King Abdullah II "reiterated the need to maintain calm in the Palestinian territories," according to the royal court.

An undated image of Chaim Walder.

Israeli ultra-Orthodox society breaks silence on sexual abuse

The apparent suicide of popular writer Chaim Walder, suspected of years-long sexual abuse, may generate a real change inside the ultra-Orthodox society and break the code of silence.

MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian prisoner ends hunger strike as Israel promises release

Palestinian prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash has agreed to end his 141-day hunger strike with the news that Israel will finally release him from administrative detention next month.

Ayelet Shaked

Israel campaigns for inclusion in US visa waiver program

Israel is willing to enable Palestinian Americans to transit its territory on the way to the West Bank, in order to allow its citizens to travel to the US without obtaining a visa in advance.

Gantz

Defense minister sets tone for Israeli diplomacy

His invitation last week for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to come and met him in his home, earned Defense Minister Benny Gantz a much stronger spot in Israel’s political leadership.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli leaders expect Iran nuclear deal in 2022

Behind closed doors, Israeli sentiments are deeply negative.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish travelers walk to their departing flights at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, east of Tel Aviv, on Dec. 21, 2021.

Israel rolls back foreign travel curbs, but US tourists remain barred

Beginning Jan. 9, foreign travelers from nearly 200 countries deemed medium risk can travel to Israel.

Gaza rocket

Rockets fired from Gaza

After several weeks of relative quiet, Israel now suspects that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or both are trying to escalate pressure on Israel and on Egypt.

Demonstrators participate in a march against anti-Semitism in New York on Jan. 2, 2022.

Protests in New York after man wearing Israeli military shirt attacked

The incident was the latest showcasing divisions in the United States’ largest city over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.