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Israel

May 20, 2026

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NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

A bride and group couple rides in a military jeep arriving for a public mass wedding ceremony at Imam Hossein Square in Tehran on May 18, 2026. Iran said on May 18 that it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that diplomatic exchanges continue despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive. Washington and Tehran have been swapping proposals in an effort to end the conflict which the US and Israel launched on February 28, but they have held only a sin

Analysis

Israel pushes for full Iran blockade as it awaits Trump's next move

Israel’s preferred strategy, sources told Al-Monitor, calls for a comprehensive naval, economic, land and air blockade of Iran, alongside tighter sanctions and covert activity aimed at destabilizing the regime.

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

Men gather around the husk of a destroyed pickup truck that was driven by a local shepherd who was reportedly struck by Israeli forces and buried by locals at a grave nearby, in the Najaf desert in southwestern Iraq, on May 12, 2026.

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

Iraqi authorities have said there are no longer any hostile forces operating in its territory.

Latest News

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

talks

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

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

The flag-draped coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres is carried by an honour guard at the start of his funeral ceremony at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSQ60B

Is Peres’ peace legacy turning to ashes?

Akiva Eldar and Daoud Kuttab reflect on the legacy of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, who Eldar says offered a "bit of hope" for peace; Al-Monitor credited for breaking news on delisting of Iranian banks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) sits alongside European Council President Donald Tusk (L) as they attend the funeral of Shimon Peres, 93, on Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool - RTSQ58E

How Abbas proved his courage to Israelis

Criticism at home did not deter Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from participating at the funeral of President Shimon Peres and demonstrating his commitment to peace.

Israeli President Shimon Peres gives a speech during a ceremony for late Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin at the Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem October 16, 2013, marking 18 years since Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally. Rabin was shot dead on November 4, 1995 just two years after the signing of the Oslo peace accords, for which he and Peres were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY HE

Peres’ secret Marshall Plan for the Middle East

Shimon Peres, who died last week, as president worked relentlessly to engage Israel, the Palestinians, the Arab world and global high-tech companies in his Middle East Marshall Plan for turning the region into a peaceful technological powerhouse.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks past the casket of former Israeli president Shimon Peres after speaking at his funeral at the Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem, September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTSQ6C5

How Netanyahu took advantage of Peres’ funeral

When eulogizing late President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actually praised his own diplomatic vision and persona.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - JUNE 08: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman speak to the press at the scene of a shooting outside Max Brenner restaurant in Sarona Market on June 8, 2016 in Tel Aviv, Israel. According to police reports, four Israelis were killed and several others wounded when two Palestinian gunmen open fire at the food and retail complex in central Tel Aviv. (Photo by Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)

Where does Israeli defense minister fit in fraud scandal?

With several senior Yisrael Beitenu officials being investigated for fraud, it's time for the party's head, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, to resign.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres ( L) and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat (R) arrive for a meeting at the Gaza airport in Rafah September 26, 2001. Arafat and Peres met for a long awaited meeting to discuss steps to a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. - RTXKROT

Palestinians and Peres: A love-hate relationship

Palestinians insist that while the late Israeli leader Shimon Peres was an Israeli patriot, he bears major responsibility for the plight that Palestinians find themselves in today.

Members of Neturei Karta, a fringe Jewish Ultra-Orthodox movement within the anti-Zionist bloc, take part in a protest against Israel's parliamentary election in Jerusalem March 17, 2015. Millions of Israelis voted on Tuesday in a tightly fought election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing an uphill battle to defeat a strong campaign by the centre-left opposition to deny him a fourth term in office. The sign reads, "We are Jews, not Zionists. That's why we will not participate in their impure ele

Why some ultra-Orthodox are up in arms over state funding for their schools

Parents from the anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox stream are angry at one of their schools for secretly receiving funding from the Israeli Ministry of Education.

As Lehava extremists terrorize Jerusalem, where are the police?

Arab restaurant workers are increasingly being attacked by members of the extremist right-wing group Lehava.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres talks during a presentation of his biography book in Tel Aviv in this March 21, 2006 file photo. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic/Files - RTSPRM8

Iran reacts to death of Israel’s founding father

As news of the death of Israeli founding father and prominent politician Shimon Peres broke, Iranian media outlets wasted no time in commenting on his legacy, and their various obituaries tell the story of a long and complex relationship between the two countries.

Players from Israeli soccer clubs affiliated with Israel Football Association, Ariel Municipal Soccer Club and Maccabi HaSharon Netanya, play against each other at Ariel Municipal Soccer Club's training grounds in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Ariel September 23, 2016. Picture taken September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTSPDV4

FIFA under pressure to sanction Israel for settlement games

A powerful report by Human Rights Watch on the eve of a FIFA meeting forces the global soccer association to act against Israeli settlement teams.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Isaac Herzog, co-leader of the Zionist Union party, are pictured together as campaign billboards rotate in Tel Aviv, March 9, 2015. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo - RTSEUAF

Is Netanyahu ready to join forces with opposition leader?

According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after a year and a half of negotiating with Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog the possibility of a unity government, the time might have come for this to happen.

Israeli presidential guards stand next to national flag which was lowered to half mast during a ceremony marking the death of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem September 28, 2016. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTSPUZ8

Fulfilling vision of Peres requires dismantling settlements

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres' Middle East peace legacy can only be realized if the settlements he himself approved many years ago are dismantled.