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

Israel cover image

Israel

June 15, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:01 pm

29°C

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House in New York on Sept. 19, 2023.

Analysis

Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence

The latest Erdogan-Netanyahu clash underscored how Turkey-Israel tensions have grown beyond the Palestinian issue and into a wider regional rivalry spanning Syria, Lebanon, Iran and the eastern Mediterranean.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, DC, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

Squeezed by Trump and Iran war, how vulnerable is Netanyahu in polls?

The Israeli prime minister faces growing problems over Oct. 7, his alliance with the ultra-Orthodox parties, and Donald Trump questioning his political future.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026.

'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah

As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border.

US President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list.

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

Latest News

As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Explainer

Turkey-Israel tensions flare over Syria, Lebanon, East Med: What to know

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan buttons up his jacket during a press conference after the conclusion of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025.

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 'neo-Palestinians'

According to Israeli experts, the profile of the ''neo-Palestinian'' attacker is that of an unemployed university graduate in his or her 20s who has no hope of building a decent life.

Is this man Israel's next prime minister?

Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid is building up his campaign for prime minister, stealing the center-left electorate away from the Zionist Camp party.

Calls for alimony reform shake up Israeli rabbinical courts

There are various proposals to amend Israel legal policies on divorce as citizens raise demands for greater nuance in child custody policies and alimony arrangements.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin addresses attendees at the "Haaretz Q: with New Israel Fund" event at The Roosevelt Hotel in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 13, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RTX1YHSZ

Israel's patriotism police

The Israeli right has been busy turning every reasonable action by the Zionist left into yet another instance of treason against the homeland.

Which US presidential candidate is good for Israel?

When wondering what Israelis think makes a “good president” for the United States, it depends on whom you ask.

A picture dated on March 18, 2015 shows Israel's deputy parliament speaker, lawmaker Oren Hazan (2nd R) standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) as they wait for exit polls in Israel's parliamentary elections in Tel Aviv. Hazan, has said he will sue privately owned Channel 2 over a report alleging his involvement in pimping and drugs. Channel 2 ran an investigative report on June 8, 2015 alleging that Hazan, who used to run a casino in Bulgaria, had arranged to provide casino-goers wit

Why are some politicians afraid of this one Knesset member?

Likud politicians fear the Hazan family and its influence within the party's Central Committee.

Why US is part of Middle East problem, not solution

Joint List head Ayman Odeh, recently celebrated as one of Foreign Policy's top global leaders, argues in an interview with Al-Monitor that the US administration is an obstacle to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

People attend a ceremony launching the diesel-electric submarine "Rostov-on-Don" at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg, June 26, 2014. "Rostov-on-Don" produced under Project 636.3 is the second serial submarine being built by OJSC Admiralty Shipyards for Russia's Black Sea Fleet. REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk (RUSSIA - Tags: MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3VUFV

Will Syria become Russia's Vietnam?

Israel is worried that the Russian submarine now patrolling near the Syrian coast will collect intelligence data on Israel, and fears Moscow’s Syrian adventure could drag on for a long time.

The long road to labeling settlement products

In a discussion with Al-Monitor, Charles Shamas, a Palestinian entrepreneur involved in exporting Palestinian products to Europe, traced the path to the European Union guidelines for labeling settlement products.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon smile during a signing ceremony for new housing units in the southern city of Ashkelon, Israel October 29, 2015. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTX1TUVN

Why are Israeli ministers playing political games with poor children?

Instead of reflexively blaming cuts to child benefits during the last government for growing poverty in Israel, Ministers Aryeh Deri and Moshe Kahlon should propose constructive measures and follow up on recommendations made in 2014.

Is PA on verge of collapse?

There has been speculation that Israel is preparing to possibly dissolve the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank against the backdrop of the violent attacks against Israeli soldiers.

East Jerusalem theater fights to keep doors open

The Palestinian theater El-Hakawati, the only cultural institution of its kind operating in East Jerusalem, is drowning in debt and faces closure yet another time.