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

Israel cover image

Israel

June 30, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:03 am

26°C

KAREN MINASYAN / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Azerbaijan slam Israel’s Armenian genocide recognition as Yerevan mum

Ankara accused Israel of weaponizing history as Armenia avoided public comment amid delicate regional diplomacy.

AFP via Getty Images

Traffic plummets through Strait of Hormuz after Iran, US trade fire

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had recovered somewhat before renewed fighting between Iran and the United States saw traffic drop sharply over the weekend.

A car drives past an United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) outpost in the village of Khan Arnabah, Quneitra, southern Syria, April 29, 2026.

Syria slams Israeli 'violations' in south as ground clashes intensify: What to know

In a rare incident, the Israeli military said it fired at armed men in southern Syria, without identifying the attackers.

Latest News

Explainer

Israel's Armenian genocide recognition marks new front against Turkey

Members of the Jerusalem Armenian community hold placards as they march during commemorations for the 94th anniversary of mass killings of their kin under the Ottoman Empire, Jerusalem's Old City, April 24, 2009.

US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C, back) looks on as (L/R, front row) Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, State Department Chief of Staff Daniel Holler, and Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh sign a framework agreement at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, on June 26, 2026. Lebanon, Israel and the United States on Friday signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at paving the way for a peace deal between the two long-time Middle East adversaries. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP

Iran vows to respond to Israeli military using neighboring airspace: What to know

Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha

Vance

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 forces inspect the scene where a Palestinian, whom the Israeli military said attacked Israeli soldiers with an axe, was shot dead at the entrance of Arroub refugee camp, north of the West Bank city of Hebron April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX29Y9E

Have Israel, PA figured out how to stop attacks?

The Palestinian Authority is using a two-phase approach against potential attackers, first approaching school students and then talking to their parents.

Why Merkel's criticism only strengthens Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have suffered not at all from Der Spiegel's bombshell report about German frustration over Israel's continuing occupation policy.

Has Europe had enough of Netanyahu?

European leaders seem to have come to the realization that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can't be taken at his word.

A traveller waits for his luggage at the Allenby Bridge Crossing July 9, 2009. Israel said on Wednesday it would allow the crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan to remain open 24 hours a day to help the Palestinian economy. The Israeli-controlled terminal leading to the Allenby Bridge across the Jordan River is the West Bank's only land link to the Arab world. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (WEST BANK POLITICS) - RTR25HFS

Why is Jordan restricting Palestinians' travel?

Palestinians have been fighting repressive Israeli travel restrictions for years, now they face Jordanian ones too.

Easter in Egypt resurrects debate over travel to Israel

In the lead-up to Orthodox Easter May 1, disputes have resurfaced over visits by Egyptian Copts to Jerusalem.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 21, 2016. REUTERS/Alexander Nemenov/Pool - RTX2B0C8

Russia, Israel navigate narrow straits in potentially turbulent waters

Recent glad-handing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked interest, and intrigue, in the Middle East and beyond.

Is the PA coordinating arrests with Israel?

In light of the climaxing uprising, some claim the Palestinian Authority's security services are coordinating arrests, so that after a Palestinian suspect is released by the PA he is shortly thereafter detained by Israel.

How education became an Israeli political tool

Education Minister Naftali Bennett and his colleagues from other Orthodox parties know that teaching their ideology to school children will benefit themselves politically in the long run.

Why some Palestinians aren't optimistic about Israel's decision to ease residency restrictions

Israel issued a decision allowing some Palestinians living in Jerusalem and the West Bank to reunite with their families in Israeli cities, but security concerns may undermine it.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and French President Francois Hollande (R) make a joint statement after a meeting to discuss France's initiative for peace in the Middle East at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 15, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau - RTX2A5J6

Why France isn’t inviting Israel, Palestine to peace process conference

As a first step to relaunch a two-state solution process, France will convene at the end of May a conference of stakeholders, without the Israelis or the Palestinians.

Refugees in Israel dream of freedom this Passover

Israelis and refugees celebrated Passover at the Holot detention center to bring attention to the refugees' lack of freedom and the conditions at the facility.

Isaac Herzog, co-leader of Zionist Union with Tzipi Livni, delivers a statement at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv March 18, 2015. Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Wednesday to form a new governing coalition quickly after an upset election victory that was built on a shift to the right and is likely to worsen a troubled relationship with the White House. With nearly all votes counted on Wednesday, Netanyahu's Likud had won 30 seats in the 120-member Knesset, comfortably defeating the c

Israel's opposition leader challenged from all sides

Labor Party head and opposition chair Isaac Herzog is finding himself on shaky ground, coping with a corruption investigation that rivals believe is damaging to the party.