menu_open Columnists
Rina Bassist

Rina Bassist

Al Monitor

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names.

yesterday 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

EU says energy costs tied to Hormuz crisis have surged past $35B

Global energy price increases tied to the Hormuz disruption are driving higher import costs in Europe, despite limited reliance on gas flowing through...

05.05.2026 8

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Macron casts doubt on Trump’s Hormuz operation as France-US gap grows

French President Emmanuel Macron slammed President Donald Trump for launching a unilateral operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz instead of...

04.05.2026 7

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates

President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the...

29.04.2026 7

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port.

28.04.2026 7

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel's Netanyahu says he was treated for prostate cancer: What we know

The prime minister said he postponed the report’s publication to prevent it from being released at the height of the war with Iran.

24.04.2026 9

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

With Orban’s defeat in Hungary, Israel loses European shield

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cultivated a strong relationship with outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who even withdrew from the...

13.04.2026 6

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Four Israeli soldiers arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran: What to know

Since the Oct. 7 attacks, several Israelis have been prosecuted for spying for Iran, but this is the first case involving active-duty soldiers.

07.04.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to...

01.04.2026 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the US-Israel war in Iran a "flagrant illegality.”

11.03.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US embassy in Israel authorizes non-essential staff, families to leave

The embassy said that non-essential staff and family members of diplomats serving in the country could leave due to ''security risk,'' adding that US...

27.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Arab Israeli leaders call for state of emergency after 5 killed in 12-hour crime wave

Arab Israeli society has suffered from high rates of violence for more than two decades.

12.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know

Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin was removed from the official Israeli Wing of Zion plane just before its departure for Washington, where...

11.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US tells UN: Gaza demilitarization to include internationally funded buyback program

By Michelle NicholsUNITED NATIONS, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The demilitarization of Gaza will include decommissioning weaponsthrough an agreed process ...

28.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

EU nears terror listing of Iran’s IRGC as France, Spain flip: What to know

France and Spain had previously opposed the designation of the IRGC, arguing that the move could curtail any chance of dialogue with Tehran.

28.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

As phase 2 looms, Netanyahu insists no Turkish or Qatari troops in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Tuesday address that his country would not completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip under the next...

27.01.2026 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel's Netanyahu approves $35B natural gas megadeal with Egypt

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will sell Egypt natural gas worth $35 billion, in the biggest-ever deal of its kind for the...

18.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Over 600 Israeli ex-security chiefs urge Trump to disarm Hamas, back PA in Gaza

Former Israeli security and diplomatic officials, members of Commanders for Israel’s Security, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to disarm...

17.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US pressure prompted Israel-Lebanon talks to avert war with Hezbollah

According to an Israeli security source, US envoy Morgan Ortagus’ visit was perceived in Israel as a warning that President Donald Trump will not...

03.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel's Netanyahu holds phone call with Trump, prime minister's office says

Dec 1 (Reuters) - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, the prime minister’s office said,...

02.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump warns Israel not to 'interfere' in Syria after deadly raid

Trump’s post came days after the Israeli military raided the village of Beit Jinn in southern Syria overnight Thursday to capture two members of...

02.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US energy secretary scraps visit after Israel puts $35B Egypt gas deal on hold

Despite US pressure, Energy Minister Eli Cohen refuses to approve a $35 billion gas deal with Egypt until "a fair price for the Israeli market"...

31.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Hamas denies responsibility for attack on Israeli forces in Rafah

(Reuters) -Hamas denied responsibility on Tuesday for an attack on Israeli forces in the southern Gaza city of Rafah that prompted Israel to launch...

29.10.2025 9

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Night of strikes brings grief to Gazans trying to rebuild

Their faces contorted with pain, relatives mourned two children killed in overnight Israeli strikes on Gaza, leaning over small bodies on the pavement...

29.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Sudan govt accuses RSF of attacking mosques in El-Fasher takeover

Sudan's army-aligned government accused paramilitaries on Wednesday of attacking civilians in mosques during their recent takeover of the western city...

29.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel renews Gaza ceasefire after airstrikes kill over 100 Palestinians

After a night of aerial strikes in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah, the Israeli military announced...

29.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu orders 'powerful' strike in Gaza after Hamas attack in Rafah

Earlier in the day, Hamas militants fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military force that was conducting engineering work in the Rafah...

28.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Witkoff, Kushner in Israel to salvage Gaza ceasefire after series of flareups

The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain the ceasefire with Hamas and begin...

20.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump hails Gaza hostage deal in Knesset speech, vows to expand Abraham Accords

In a triumphant speech at the Knesset, US President Donald Trump hailed the release of surviving hostages from Gaza and pledged support for...

13.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat

Israeli officials are preparing for the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza either on Saturday or Sunday and for a possible visit by the...

09.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Won’t shove it 'down our throats': Netanyahu blasts Palestine recognition in UN speech

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of countries that recognized Palestine...

26.09.2025 9

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

142 back, 10 oppose French-Saudi roadmap for two-state solution at UN: What to know

The text initiated by France and Saudi Arabia for the implementation of the two-state-solution was adopted Friday by the United Nations General...

12.09.2025 9

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel’s Shin Bet says it foiled Hamas drone plot targeting Ben-Gvir

In a joint operation with the Israeli military, the Shin Bet arrested a West Bank cell as the far-right minister vowed to impose tougher prison...

03.09.2025 8

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli envoy meets South Sudan president as Juba denies Gaza resettlement report

Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, visited South Sudan amid reports that the two countries are discussing resettling Gazans there.

13.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli universities, tech firms, cities to join strike over Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover plan

An increasing number of institutions and businesses are allowing their employees to join the general strike planned for Sunday, in protest of Prime...

13.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

East Jerusalem father, son arrested over Israel attack plot: What to know

Three east Jerusalem residents arrested in are suspected of fabricating dozens of explosive devices and plotting to commit several attacks against...

11.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Over 600 former Israeli security officials call on Trump to end Gaza war

Former Israeli security officials, including former heads of the Mossad, the Shin Bet internal security agency, the Israeli military, Israel police...

04.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli Druze breach Syria border, call for 'day of rage' over Suwayda clashes

The Israeli Druze leadership announced a one-day labor strike on Wednesday and called on all Israeli Druze to go to the border and cross it in order...

16.07.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu ends US visit with no Gaza deal but progress on reconstruction

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has departed Washington with little to show for his meetings with President Donald Trump.

11.07.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

What Iran’s hospital strike reveals about Israel’s missile defense limits

The direct strike highlights the limits of Israel's vaunted aerial defense systems as the Iran-Israel war intensifies.

19.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Decapitate Iranian regime or boost his image: What's Netanyahu's endgame?

In launching the attack on Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be aiming to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat, but could also be...

15.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump says Iran response to nuclear proposal 'unacceptable,’ alternative ‘dire’

As talks with Iran appear to have reached an impasse, President Donald Trump said Monday that the alternative to a nuclear deal would be "very, very...

10.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Muslim pilgrims pray, shirk sun, as hajj reaches peak

Muslim worshippers prayed on Mount Arafat in the high point of the hajj pilgrimage Thursday as authorities urged them to avoid the hottest hours of...

05.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli military recovers bodies of two Israeli-American hostages held in Gaza

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that the bodies of Gadi Haggai and his wife, Judith Weinstein, were recovered overnight from Gaza in a military operation.

05.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US envoy Barrack in Israel after cross-border shelling with Syria: What to know

US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met Wednesday with Israeli officials in an effort to de-escalate ongoing tensions with Syria and Turkey.

04.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Gaza ceasefire seen imminent as Witkoff finalizes Hamas-Israel deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told relatives of hostages held in Gaza that he accepts the recent proposal by American envoy Steve Witkoff, which...

29.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Iraq's Jewish community saves a long-forgotten shrine

In a vibrant Baghdad district, labourers are working tirelessly to repair the centuries-old shrine of a revered rabbi in an effort to revive the...

28.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France, Indonesia call for Israeli-Palestinian progress as Macron visits

France and Indonesia called Wednesday for progress on "mutual recognition" between Israel and the Palestinians at a key meeting next month as Emmanuel...

28.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel strikes Yemen airport, claims Houthis' last plane destroyed

In response to several missile attacks by the Houthis, the Israeli military struck Yemen's international airport in Sanaa on Wednesday morning.

28.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead outside Jewish Museum in Washington

Two staff members of the Israeli embassy to the United States were shot and killed late Wednesday when coming out of the Jewish Museum in Washington...

22.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist