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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 18, 2026

Tel Aviv 11:25 am

30°C

OLIVER BUNIC/AFP via Getty Images

Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know

Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers.

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner' aircraft

Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies

The move will mark the first time Morocco and Israel have exchanged ambassadors.

ISRAEL-ENTERTAINMENT-TELEVISION-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT-MASS-MEDIA-D (L to R) Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, co-creators of the hit Israeli TV show "Fauda", attend a demonstration against the Israeli government's plans to shut-down public broadcaster KAN, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 25, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Israeli show ‘Fauda’ tops Netflix in Lebanon, hits top 10 across Arab states

The show was created by Israeli journalist Avi Issacharoff and actor Lior Raz, drawing on their experiences serving in the Israeli military’s elite Duvdevan unit.

UN peacekeepers stand next to an armored vehicle during a patrol in southern Lebanon, Feb. 22, 2026.

Explainer

Why France is pushing to keep UNIFIL in Lebanon beyond 2026

Showing its support for Lebanon, Paris is backing Beirut’s request at the UN for a short-term extension of UNIFIL’s mandate, although French sources acknowledge that the chances of the request being approved are slim.

Latest News

Exclusive

Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities, brandish their weapons during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on September 10, 2026. The country relapsed into war in July after years of calm, drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Europe’s West Bank trade ban fires warning shot at Israel’s economy

Jewish settlement of Kedumim, in the West Bank

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Once Netanyahu’s top challenger, Bennett loses ground to Eisenkot: What to know

Erik Marmor

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in Ali al-Taher ridge: What to know

A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of Israeli strikes that targeted the hilltops of the mountainous area of the strategic Ali al-Taher Ridge on Aug. 14, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

In this handout image provided by Albatross, the Tamar drilling natural gas production platform is seen some 25 kilometers west of the Ashkelon shore in February 2013 in Israel.

Israeli company sells shares in natural gas field to Emirati group

In a demonstration of the economic dividends of the Abraham Accords, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Petroleum is buying Israeli Delek Drilling’s shares in the Tamar natural gas field.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

How Israeli hurdle in Palestinian elections may benefit Abbas

Israel dragging its feet on allowing Palestinians in east Jerusalem to vote could be just the excuse President Mahmoud Abbas needs to postpone the elections and stop Hamas' likely progress.

Israeli Knesset member Naftali Bennett attends the swearing-in ceremony of Israel's Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, on April 6, 2021.

Could Bloc for Change really replace Netanyahu?

Only one week before the deadline Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces, it is unclear whether his opponents have the majority to compose an alternative government.

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Tensions spiral in Jerusalem, Israel’s southern front

Israel is seething with conflict between Jews and Arabs with increasing tension in the West Bank, rocket fire from Gaza and with fear of escalation on the northern border.

A view of the outdoor playground of the net-zero energy kindergarten building, Hadera, Israel, December 2020.

Israel's Hadera pioneers net-zero energy construction

The town of Hadera has already constructed two net-zero energy buildings and promises to continue with more green, energy clean structures.

Nas Daily

Arab-Israeli vlogger Nas Daily wins over viewers

Arab-Israeli Nas Daily has become one of the most influential internet personalities in the world.

Palestinian detained near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem

Riots in Jerusalem become diplomatic crisis

The US Embassy in Israel expressed concern about escalating tensions in Jerusalem between Jews and Arabs.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Syrian missile exposes Israel’s fragility

The Israeli military is concerned by the failure to intercept a long-range missile fired from Syria.

Netanyahu and Gantz at Knesset swearing-in

A tale of two elections: Netanyahu, Abbas face the abyss

The Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president are both losing control of their traditional coalitions.

Israeli Arab politician, leader of the United Arab list, Mansour Abbas (C) attends consultations with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (L) on who might form the next coalition government, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021.

Arab parties to determine Israeli government

Head of Ra’am Party Mansour Abbas and members of the Arab Joint List now have the power to decide what the next government will look like.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel fails to intercept missile from Syria

Despite Israel's extensive missile defense systems, a missile from Syria managed to reach the south of the country.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel churns out tech unicorns

Another 16 Israeli companies passed the billion-dollar valuation target in 2020.