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Israel

July 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:44 am

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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

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

The Takeaway: Israel fears Iran strike could ignite war with Hezbollah

Erdogan’s rescue plan for the lira, Turkey’s Africa drone market, Lebanon’s homeless cats and dogs, Gaza’s racism, Gulf stock markets and more — in less than 1,300 words!

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan meets with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Dec. 22, 2021, in Israel.

US national security adviser meets with Bennett, Lapid, Gantz in Israel

Facing growing pressure from Jerusalem on the Vienna talks, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan met yesterday in Israel with President Isaac Herzog and today with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

This studio illustration shows a smartphone with the website of Israel's NSO Group, which features Pegasus spyware, July 21, 2021.

After Pegasus affair, Israeli tech companies fear US blacklisting

It is still too early to tell if the Pegasus affair and US blacklisting of some cyberattack companies will harm the Israeli industry or actually boost global demands for such products.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab Knesset member shocks crowd, says Israel 'born Jewish'

Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas made big waves when he said that Israel was and will remain a Jewish state.

Iran scientist

Israeli army not ready to strike Iran's nuclear program

According to reports, the IDF does not have the means to effectively and seriously damage Iran's nuclear facilities right now.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid gives remarks after being welcomed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a the US Capitol, Washington, Oct. 12, 2021.

Is Israeli Foreign Minister Lapid's Yesh Atid a party of one?

Yesh Atid, which is the second-largest party in Israel, has been ruled since its inception by one person alone — Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

Jewish cemetery Iran

Israelis long to reconnect with Arab, Islamic homelands

Many Israeli Jews with Middle Eastern origins remember a painful expulsion from their homelands and want to preserve and celebrate the history of those Jewish communities.

Israeli solders gather next to self-propelled Howitzers in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on the border with Syria, Nov. 28, 2020.

Israel knows attacking Iranian nuke program will bring war with Hezbollah

Israeli leadership is coping not only with the question of military preparedness for the possibility of attacking the Iranian nuclear program, but also with the implications of such an attack on Israel’s homeland security, its economy and its growth.

kanievsky

Ultra-Orthodox anti-vaxxers threaten leading Israeli rabbi

When the Grand Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky called on his followers to vaccinate children, vaccine opponents within the ultra-Orthodox community turned against him.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the Jerusalem Post's annual coference, Jerusalem, Oct. 12, 2021.

West Bank terror attacks challenge Bennett

Recent terror attacks in the West Bank have put Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in a complicated spot with his right-wing base.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Future uncertain for US Palestinian affairs consulate in Jerusalem

Rumor has it that the United States has halted efforts to reopen a consulate for Palestinian affairs in Jerusalem.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel to allow Gazan Christians into Bethlehem for Christmas

Israeli announced that about 500 permits will be available to Gaza's 1,000 Christians to enter Israel and the West Bank for Christmas celebrations.