Yoni Ben Menachem's Blog - נושא: Israel

Yasser Abbas and the Struggle for the Day After Mahmoud Abbas

24 September 2026

Yasser Abbas’s entry into the senior ranks of Fatah marks his entry into the struggle over the post-Mahmoud Abbas era.
Backed by his father, he is building connections and political standing, but he faces opposition within the movement’s leadership, competition from Hussein al-Sheikh, and the question of public legitimacy.
The Gaza Strip could offer him an opportunity to build an independent power base, but it could also become an arena in which Mohammed Dahlan blocks his path.

Naz’a Is Only the Beginning: Israel Needs a National Strategic Influence and Communications System

23 September 2026

Israel possesses extensive intelligence, information and documentation that could be used to confront the international battle over narratives and public perception. Yet it still operates primarily on the defensive.
Senior political and security officials are calling for the establishment of a national strategic influence and communications system that would consolidate existing capabilities and shift Israel from a reactive posture to a proactive one.

Will Mahmoud Abbas Postpone the Elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council?

13 September 2026

Fatah officials believe that Mahmoud Abbas is likely to postpone the elections, with Hussein al-Sheikh pushing for the decision and citing difficulties in Gaza and East Jerusalem.
The real reason, however, may be Abbas’s concern that elections could strengthen Hamas and Mohammed Dahlan and create a new balance of power in the Palestinian arena.

Barghouti Seeks to Turn Prison into a Launchpad for the PA Presidency

11 September 2026

The imprisoned Fatah leader is planning to run for president from inside an Israeli prison, win the election, and then use international pressure to force Israel to release him , while Mahmoud Abbas seeks to block his candidacy and secure control over the post-Abbas political landscape.

Hamas Exposed: Israel Is Changing the Rules of the Game in Gaza

3 September 2026

The capture of Hamas’s internal security chief in the heart of Gaza City is more than a successful operation.
It is a strategic message underscoring that Israel is not returning to full-scale war, but is also not allowing Hamas to exploit the ceasefire to rebuild its military capabilities.

Toward a Third Intifada?

23 August 2026

Despite the escalating tensions in Judea and Samaria and the growing friction between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, neither Israeli security officials nor senior PA figures believe that the conditions for a third intifada currently exist.
Both sides, however, warn that a crisis on the Temple Mount could transform the security landscape within hours.

Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan Forge a New Political-Security Axis

31 July 2026

The expanding military cooperation between Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan reflects a broader regional trend toward the formation of a new political and security axis.
Israel is closely monitoring these developments with growing concern, viewing the emerging Sunni alignment as a potentially greater long-term strategic challenge than the Iranian-led axis.

Hamas Shifts Its Center of Gravity to Turkey

23 July 2026

The devastating blow suffered by Hamas’ leadership in the Gaza Strip has accelerated the organization’s strategic shift toward Istanbul.
From there, its external leadership is now managing diplomatic relations, fundraising, and organizational activities, presenting Israel and the West with a new strategic challenge.

Israel and Turkey Compete for Regional Hegemony

17 July 2026

The strategic center of gravity in the Middle East is gradually shifting from the confrontation with Iran to the struggle over the regional balance of power between Israel and Turkey.

The Man Who Shaped the Islamic Republic Created a Terror Monster That Ultimately Led to His Own Demise

8 July 2026

For decades, Ali Khamenei transformed Iran into a regional power built upon three strategic pillars: its nuclear program, its ballistic missile arsenal, and an extensive network of proxy organizations across the Middle East. Yet the very security doctrine he spent decades constructing ultimately revealed its own limitations and culminated in the war that ended with his death.