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Israel

July 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:46 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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) welcomes his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog

Ukraine to decide soon on opening embassy in Jerusalem

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk says the decision to open an office of the embassy to Jerusalem is probably a matter of months.

JONATHAN ERNST/AFP via Getty Images

Bennett sketches path for Israeli-Saudi normalization

Having scored diplomatic achievements with Egypt, the Emirates and even Turkey, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett views Saudi Arabia as a jewel in the crown of normalization with the Arab world.

Israeli Minister of Public Security Omer Bar Lev arrives for a photo at the president's residence during a ceremony for the new coalition government, Jerusalem, June 14, 2021.

Settler violence sparks disputes within Bennett’s government

Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev instigated an argument within the coalition over settler violence, and whether it is an expanding phenomenon or just marginal incidents.

Backdropped by Jerusalem's Old City Ottoman walls, the city's Mayor Nir Barkat speaks during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (unseen), Feb. 23, 2015.

Israeli politicians turn Iranian nuke threat into political campaign

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians are not only campaigning for Israel’s security, they are also using the Iran threat as means to political promotion.

Aid workers check a shipment of coronavirus vaccines sent through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative, shortly after an Emirates plane landed at the airport in Khartoum, Sudan, Oct. 6, 2021.

Israel to donate 1 million vaccine doses to African countries via COVAX

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced the country will donate to Africa states, through the global vaccine distribution partnership COVAX, 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines.

Israel Syria

Israel focused on Syria as well as Iran

A report by the Washington Post has attributed two attacks to Israel in the past year and a half against Syrian military facilities linked to its past chemical weapons program.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (C) shakes hands with the director of the Israel Antiquities, Authority Eli Escozido (L).

Israel returns trafficked artifacts to Egypt

Israel returned dozens of looted archaeological pieces to Egypt in a new sign of improving relations between the two countries in recent years.

Israel diamonds

Qatar, Israel reach agreement on diamond trade

Qatar is not part to the Abraham Accords for normalizing ties with Israel, but this did not prevent it from reaching a bilateral agreement with Israel on the trade of diamonds.

Netanyahu

Netanyahu attacks bill authorizing social media censorship

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aggressively campaigning against a bill proposed by the Bennett coalition to enable judges to block violent posts on social media.

Haim Zach/GPO

Bennett commits to partnership with Emirates on UAE visit

On his historic visit to Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reassured his hosts that his government is committed to the alliance with the Emirates and that it will lobby on their behalf in Washington.

A picture taken on April 23, 2019, shows a general view of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel’s Bennett strives to increase Jewish population in Golan Heights

Trying to appeal to his right-wing electoral base, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett advances plans for increased Jewish settlement in the Golan Heights.

Haim Zach/GPO

Israeli PM pays landmark visit to UAE

On a first official visit to the Emirates, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.