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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

Israeli policemen clash with Jewish settlers at a burning barricade in the unauthorized outpost of Amona, close to the West Bank Jewish settlement of Ofra, February 1, 2006. Israeli riot police clashed on Wednesday with several thousand settlers battling to block partial demolition of an unauthorised West Bank outpost in scenes reminiscent of Israel's Gaza pullout. REUTERS/Oleg Popov - RTR19FRI

Even pro-settlement Israeli parties give up fighting for Amona settlers

Politicians on the Israeli right appear to see the writing on the Supreme Court wall and have abandoned the battle over dismantling the West Bank outpost of Amona.

Gideon Remez, one of the Israeli researchers who said on Thursday that Soviet-era documents showed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas worked in the 1980s for the KGB, the now-defunct Russian intelligence agency, holds up a page he received after some documents smuggled out of Russia by a former KGB archivist were released for public research two years ago, with a line in Russian reading, " "Krotov", which is the derived from the Russian word for "mole" and, "Abbas, Mahmoud, born 1935 in Palestine, mem

What's behind Israeli report claiming Abbas was KGB spy?

Israeli researchers have accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of having been a KGB agent, to wide criticism from Palestinians who see the claim as part of an Israeli smear campaign to get rid of Abbas.

Pictures of Palestinian Hamas militants held in Israeli jails are seen through a fence during a rally marking Palestinian Prisoner Day, in Gaza City April 17, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RTX2AAQR

Israel dangles Gazan operatives, but Hamas won't negotiate

Despite multiple offers by Israel, Hamas refuses to make a deal for the release of three Israelis before Israel releases 50 prisoners it recaptured in 2014.

Israel's President Shimon Peres speaks to the media during a news conference in the southern town of Sderot July 6, 2014. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSNKPZ

Shimon Peres, the last Israeli giant

The era of former president Shimon Peres, the last Israeli who was “there” — when Israel was established — is coming to its end.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - SEPTEMBER 15: (L-R) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas meet at Netanyahu's residence September 15, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Netanyahu and Abbas are deadlocked in peace negotiations over Israeli settlement building. (Photo by Lior Mizrahi-Pool/Getty Images)

Is Netanyahu trying to kill Russian summit initiative?

Palestinian sources believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's release of his ''ethnic cleansing'' video is part of an attempt to sabotage a Russian-backed summit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

A Palestinian boy holds a sign that reads "we demand our dignity" in front of Israeli soldiers during a protest calling for the reopening of a closed street in the West Bank city of Hebron August 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma - RTX2MW1E

Why referendum on West Bank is unlikely to change anything

Instead of going to the streets, the Israeli peace camp prefers an online campaign that is unlikely to change anything within Israeli public opinion.

Netanyahu cries 'ethnic cleansing' after offering to negotiate

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he is willing to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but then quickly released a video clip accusing those who call for the evacuation of the settlements of supporting ethnic cleansing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he chairs the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office on September 11, 2016. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool - RTSN7M0

Is Bibi a secret Trump supporter?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remark that ''Societies that demand ethnic cleansing don’t pursue peace'' could have been meant to damage US Jews' support of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

A Palestinian stone-thrower looks on as he stands in front of a fire during clashes with Israeli troops following the funeral of Palestinian Riham Dawabsheh at Duma village near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, September 7, 2015. The mother of a Palestinian toddler killed in a July arson attack in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, died on Monday of her burns, the third fatality after her husband succumbed to his injuries last month. Suspected Jewish attackers torched the family's home in the northern We

One year into Palestinian uprising: What’s the status today?

The popular uprising in the West Bank has significantly waned, but not disappeared, in recent months in the absence of organized political support.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Finance Minister Yair Lapid attend a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem October 7, 2014. REUTERS/Dan Balilty/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTR499SO

Has Netanyahu met his match?

A recent poll showing Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid to be the strongest party in Israel is the talk of Israeli politics.

A dog looks out a car window as a driver stands still during the sounding of an air raid siren marking Holocaust Remembrance Day in Tel Aviv April 28, 2014. Israel on Monday marked the annual memorial day commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during World War Two. REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY MILITARY CONFLICT) - RTR3MVWG

Tel Aviv taxi passengers treated to Hebrew masterpieces — in Arabic

Israeli taxi driver Moshe Choresh and his wife, Sandra, are gaining fame for their personal project to translate Israeli musical masterpieces into Arabic, which they record and play for Moshe's clients during their rides.

Palestinians are seen behind flame from burning tyres during clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Qabatya, near Jenin February 22, 2016. Israeli forces closed the main entrance of the town on Monday a day after a Palestinian from Qabatya was shot dead by Israeli troops after he tried to stab a soldier, Palestinian witnesses said. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX2829U

Will Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalate in December?

Both Israel and the Palestinians are using the period of international deadlock at the end of 2016 to consolidate their support bases instead of advancing dialogue initiatives.