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

Israel cover image

Israel

July 21, 2026

Tel Aviv 6:09 pm

32°C

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC, July 19, 2026.

Israel to withdraw from Lebanon’s pilot zones ahead of Aoun-Trump meeting

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Sunday during the first part of his four-day visit to Washington.

Flags of Spain and Argentina

Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

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

Latest News

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

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.

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

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.

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)

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 couple Natalie and Mordi Oknin, who were held in Turkey for a week on suspicion of espionage, are greeted upon their arrival home following their release, Modi'in, Israel, Nov. 18, 2021.

Israeli president’s call with Erdogan may go beyond detainees’ release

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s friendly chat with his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog could be signal that he is ready to turn a page in Turkey’s strained ties with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett meets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt, Sept. 13 2021.

Israeli-Egyptian meetings mark rapprochement progress

The expected visit to Israel in a few days of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel reflects the trend of rapprochement in recent months between Jerusalem and Cairo.

Retired Israeli Gen. Benny Gantz, one of the leaders of the Blue and White party, uses a cellphone to take a selfie photograph with supporters during a campaign event, Tel Aviv, Israel, April 7, 2019.

House cleaner for Israel's Gantz charged over Iranian spying attempt

Israeli authorities say Omri Goren Gorochovsky reached out to an Iranian-linked hacking group and offered to install malware on the defense minister's computer.

Jerusalem District Court

Journalists covering Netanyahu trial harassed, attacked

Supporters of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harassed two journalists who came to cover his trial and struck one of them with a cane.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

US envoy asks Israel to intervene in Sudan, says local press

According to Israeli reports, visiting US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield asked Defense Minister Benny Gantz to step in in Sudan.

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli tourists released from Turkish prison

Two Israeli tourists held for eight days in Turkey have returned home in a private jet today and Israel’s president called Turkey's to thank him personally.

Israeli Meretz party members Nitzan Horowitz (2nd R), Zehava Galon (C) and Issawi Frej (C-L) take part in a visit of al-Shuhada street in support of Palestinians who were forced out of the old quarter at the outset of the second Palestinian intifada by the Israeli army to allow for Jewish settlers to move securely in the area, Hebron, West Bank, Feb. 25, 2014.

Israel calls to increase financial aid to Palestinian Authority

Participating in the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in Oslo, Minister for Regional Cooperation Issawi Frej expressed the support of the Israeli government in increasing international financial assistance for the Palestinian Authority.

solar plant

Israel, Jordan to sign solar/water cooperation deal in Dubai

After months of secret negotiations, mediated by the United Arab Emirates and with the assistance of US Climate Envoy John Kerry, Israel and Jordan will sign an agreement next week in Dubai that should help them both to face climate change challenges.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Leadership urges caution as Israeli tourists held in Istanbul

Israel is concerned that the prolonged detention in Istanbul of tourists Natali and Mordi Oknin bodes ill for rapprochement between the two countries.

Bedouin

Plans for new Israeli-Bedouin town face array of obstacles

The Bennett government plans on establishing a new Bedouin city in the Negev, but the way to realizing the project seems long and complicated.

Lapid

Budget approval makes Yair Lapid Israel’s new dominant politician

With the state budget approved, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is now preparing for the moment when he takes over premiership from his coalition partner Naftali Bennett.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli court delays key testimony in Netanyahu corruption trial

Nir Hefetz, a former aide to Benjamin Netanyahu and his family, is the prosecution's star witness in Case 4000.