Israel in January 2026: the most important developments in politics
Israel's politics in January 2026 were dominated by disagreement with the United States over the future administration of Gaza. On 17 and 18 January Israel objected to a US-led oversight panel and to its announced members, criticizing the roles given to Qatar and Turkey. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for closing a US coordination center, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed Turkish and Qatari troops in a peacekeeping force. On 20 January Israel blocked a US-approved committee of technocrats from entering Gaza, and on 21 January Netanyahu agreed to join the Board of Peace proposed by President Donald Trump. On 29 January Israel proposed limiting aid to 200 trucks a day in the ceasefire's second phase. Israel said the Rafah crossing with Egypt would reopen on 1 February, after the search for the body of hostage Ran Gvili concluded.
Israel's foreign relations drew attention on several fronts. Israel recognized Somaliland, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visited it on 6 January; Somalia, the African Union, Egypt and other Arab and Muslim states condemned the move. On 20 January Israeli authorities demolished the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem, which the UN, Britain, France, Canada and eleven foreign ministers condemned. On 30 January South Africa declared Israel's chargé d'affaires persona non grata, and Israel expelled a South African diplomat. Israel and Syria agreed to share intelligence after talks in Paris. On 28 January US officials criticized Netanyahu's claim that a US weapons embargo caused Israeli troop deaths, while Israel prepared talks with the US on a new 10-year security deal. Netanyahu reportedly asked Trump to postpone a strike on Iran, and Iranian officials threatened Tel Aviv if the US attacks.
At home, police questioned Netanyahu's chief of staff, and a senior aide was arrested in a leaks probe. The coalition advanced a bill that would cancel Netanyahu's fraud charge. The budget vote was delayed over draft exemptions, prompting Smotrich to call for new elections, and the budget passed a first reading on 28 January. Authorities cleared new West Bank settlement construction on 7 January and advanced a plan in East Jerusalem, which Germany and the EU criticized.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.