A 'stab in the back': Israel's refusal to extend Jordanian water agreement may spark crisis

The 1994 peace treaty signed by Amman and Jerusalem required Israel to supply Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of water annually, an amount doubled in a 2021 commitment that expired in 2025.

By DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Water discharging from a desalination plant into the Zalmon River and into the Sea of Galilee, March 4, 2026.(photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)

Jerusalem’s refusal to extend a water agreement with Amman until it changes its rhetoric on Israel will likely be interpreted as a “stab in the back” after the support Jordan gave Israel during the Iran war, Dr. Ronen Yitzhak, an expert in Israeli-Jordanian relations from the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

The 1994 peace treaty signed by Amman and Jerusalem required Israel to supply Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of water annually. In 2021, during the Naftali Bennett-Yair Lapid government, Israel agreed to double the amount of fresh water it provides to Jordan, one of the world’s most water-deficient countries.

Bennett-Lapid's Together drops seats as Eisenkot makes gains, Likud becomes largest party - poll

Before Bennett and Lapid merged, their separate lists held 31 seats combined, making the current decline even steeper, a loss of 9 mandates compared to their previous numbers.

By MOSHE COHEN

Israeli current opposition leader Yair Lapid (L) and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett stand together in Tel Aviv on May 12, as they hold their inaugural conference of their ‘Together – Under Bennett’s Leadership’ party for the upcoming national election.(photo credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and current opposition leader Yair Lapid's Together Party experienced a sharp drop in support this week, reaching just 22 seats, a decline of 6 from its peak, according to a Ma’ariv poll published Friday.

Before the Bennett-Lapid merger, their separate lists held 31 seats combined, making the current decline even steeper - a loss of 9 mandates compared to

Bennett will overtake Netanyahu if Eisenkot joins merger, poll shows

According to the poll, Likud, led by Netanyahu, would receive 26 seats, while Bennett’s Together Party, which has merged with Lapid, would win 25.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former prime minister Naftali Bennett. (Illustrative)(photo credit: Canva, FLASH90, MARC ISRAEL SELLEM, REUTERS/AMIR COHEN/FILE PHOTO)

As Israel faces political turbulence and continued security uncertainty over the confrontation with Iran, a KAN 11 poll published Tuesday night found that a united Naftali Bennett-Yair Lapid political framework is the only party currently positioned to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud.

According to the poll, Likud, led by Netanyahu, would receive 26 seats, while Bennett’s Together Party, which has merged with Lapid, would win 25. Just behind them is the figure Bennett and Lapid had strongly sought to bring into their ranks: former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot.

El líder de la oposición israelí criticó el alto el fuego con Irán: “Es un fracaso político y estratégico de Netanyahu”

El líder de la oposición israelí, Yair Lapid, criticó duramente el miércoles el alto el fuego con Irán y lo calificó de “fracaso de liderazgo político y estratégico”.

“Nunca antes en nuestra historia habíamos presenciado un desastre político semejante”, escribió Lapid en un comunicado, argumentando que “Israel ni siquiera participó en las discusiones cuando se tomaron decisiones relativas a su seguridad nacional”.

Lapid añadió que, si bien “las fuerzas armadas cumplieron con todo lo que se les pidió y la ciudadanía demostró una resiliencia admirable”, el primer ministro Benjamín Netanyahu “fracasó política y estratégicamente, y no alcanzó ni uno solo de los objetivos que él mismo se había fijado”.

Israeli leaders express outrage and alarm over inclusion of Turkey, Qatar into Gaza Executive Board

‘The entry of Turkey and Qatar endangers Israeli citizens’ – opposition politicians criticize Netanyahu.

World leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani pose for a family photo, at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a U.S.-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool)

Israeli politicians strongly rejected the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar in the future administration of the Gaza Strip, with many criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ostensibly allowing this to happen, despite the premier expressing rare public criticism of the American plan.

Trump ‘unequivocal’ that Hamas must disarm for Gaza truce to proceed, Netanyahu says

"This is a necessary and fundamental condition for the implementation of his 20-point plan," said the Israeli premier.

JNS Staff, Amelie Botbol

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Jan. 4, 2025. Photo by Maayan Toaf/GPO.

(Jan. 4, 2026 / JNS)  President Donald Trump has been “unequivocal,” both in private and in public, that Hamas needs to disarm as a condition for his 20-point peace plan to proceed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

“This is a necessary and fundamental condition for the implementation of his 20-point plan. He made no concessions on this and showed no flexibility on this matter,” Netanyahu stated, addressing journalists ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Lapid: Netanyahu’s re-election would be the ‘end of Zionism’

If Netanyahu wins again, "the state will fall apart," the Yesh Atid Party leader claimed.

JNS Staff

sraeli opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid Party) at a protest outside the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem March 27, 2023. Photo by Erik Marmor/Flash90.

(Sept. 2, 2025 / JNS)  Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) declared on Monday that another electoral win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition would spell “the end of Zionism” and the Jewish state.

“We are in an election year. Since 1948, there has not been a more critical year for the fate of the nation,” Lapid told activists at a party gathering, warning that if Netanyahu wins, “the state will fall apart.”

Netanyahu: Israel entra en aislamiento, tendremos que adaptarnos a una economía cerrada

“Israel está entrando en una especie de aislamiento”, declaró este lunes el primer ministro de Israel Benjamín Netanyahu en la Conferencia del Contador General del Ministerio de Finanzas, y añadió: “Tendremos que adaptarnos cada vez más a una economía que en ciertos aspectos presenta características autárquicas”, informó Kan.

“Podríamos encontrarnos en una situación de bloqueo en el aspecto industrial, y no solo en investigación y desarrollo, sino también en producción. Ante todo, tendremos que desarrollar nuestras capacidades para afrontar nuestro propio futuro”, recalcó Netanyahu.

“Nos encontramos en un periodo en el que dos cosas eran superficiales y se hicieron evidentes con la guerra: un impacto extremadamente negativo en la política exterior europea, como resultado de la migración ilimitada de minorías significativas y muy militantes a Europa. Esto está doblegando a los gobiernos. No se trata solo de Gaza, sino que su enfoque es la abolición del sionismo y una agenda islámica extremista”, alegó.

Turkey's Eurofighter jet deal 'a headache' for Israel, Israeli official tells 'Post'

While they may not match the stealth and sensor fusion of Israel’s F-35s, their deployment would still significantly improve Turkey’s operational flexibility and regional deterrence.

By AMICHAI STEIN

A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jet during an air display at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 18, 2025.(photo credit: REUTERS/BENOIT TESSIER)

While Turkey’s agreement with Germany and the United Kingdom for the purchase of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets does not constitute a direct or immediate threat to Israel’s air superiority, it is nonetheless a “headache,” an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post.

The agreement marks a significant step in Ankara’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military.

Argentina will move embassy to Jerusalem, Milei announces at Israel's Knesset

Argentinian President Javier Milei criticized what he called a “corruption” of Western values, arguing that the global Left has lost its moral compass and was “siding with Hamas.”

By ELIAV BREUER

Argentinian President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem on June 11, 2025.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Argentina will move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2026, Argentinian President Javier Milei announced in a ceremonial speech in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday evening.

Milei began his speech by saying that the “cancer” of antisemitism is spreading once again despite the lessons of the Holocaust. He criticized what he called a “corruption” of Western values, arguing that the global Left has lost its moral compass and was “siding with Hamas.”

Lapid teme por un posible magnicidio en Israel

El líder de la oposición, Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid), pronunció un discurso ante la prensa este domingo en el que afirmó que, según la información de inteligencia que posee, existe el temor de un magnicidio.

“Quiero advertir, basándome en información de inteligencia inequívoca: nos encaminamos hacia otra tragedia. Esta vez, vendrá desde dentro. Los niveles de incitación y demencia no tienen precedentes. Habrá un magnicidio. Judíos matarán judíos“, advirtió Lapid.

Añadió: “Las principales amenazas son contra el director del Shin Bet, Ronen Bar. El partido gobernante israelí, el Likud, publicó un comunicado oficial en el que afirmaba: ‘Ronen Bar convirtió a partes del Shin Bet en milicias privadas del Estado profundo’. Tal declaración tiene consecuencias. Saben exactamente lo que les hace a algunos de sus partidarios”.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett admitted to hospital

Bennett underwent a catheterization, according to the reports. 

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett in Tel Aviv. August 1, 2022.(photo credit: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett was admitted to the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba after feeling unwell on Saturday, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

Bennett underwent a catheterization, according to the reports.

Netanyahu’s offer to Lapid and Gantz: Early elections in a year’s time

PM wants opposition leaders to back his government through the hostages’ release, in exchange for holding early elections one year after the last captive returns.

By Shalom Yerushalmi

Head of the National Unity party Benny Gantz and head of Yesh Atid party Yair Lapid in a joint press conference at the Knesset. 6 November 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is offering MKs Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz a deal that would have the the two opposition leaders provide his government with a “safety net” to complete the hostage deal even if Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his far-right allies will leave the government, The Times of Israel has learned. In exchange, Netanyahu, Lapid and Gantz would agree to hold early elections one year after the day of the last hostage’s return, sometime around April 2026.

Yair Lapid urges deal to free all captives at once, pushes for Saudi normalization - interview

The politician who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party spoke to the 'Post' a year into the country's multi-front war against Iranian proxies.

By ELIAV BREUER, TOVAH LAZAROFF

YAIR LAPID in his Tel Aviv office: ‘The elimination of Sinwar sends an important message: Whoever messes with us will die.’(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Until October 7, opposition leader Yair Lapid could always shut down any conversation questioning why Jews should live in Israel by recalling his father’s story as a child Holocaust survivor.

“I have great answers. Always have. My father’s ghetto Jewish history – and it used to kill the conversation in five minutes,” Lapid told The Jerusalem Post.

Knesset approves Gideon Sa'ar's entry into government

Sa'ar will serve as a minister-without-portfolio and a member of the National Security Cabinet.

By ELIAV BREUER

MK Gideon Sa'ar attends a civil investigative committee hearing on the October 7 massacre, in Tel Aviv, August 18, 2024(photo credit: FLASH90/TOMER NEUBERG)

The Knesset plenum convened on Monday to officially approve the entry of United Right chairman MK Gideon Sa’ar into the government.

The approval marked the end of a swift procedure to bring Sa’ar and his party on board after the government approved the move in a telephone vote on Sunday night.

El Parlamento de Israel rechaza por abrumadora mayoría el establecimiento de un Estado palestino

Benjamín Netanyahu Foto: GPO / Kobi Gideon

La Knéset (el Parlamento de Israel) aprobó por abrumadora mayoría una resolución en rechazo al establecimiento de un eventual Estado palestino.

La resolución tuvo como patrocinadores a la coalición del primer ministro, Benjamín Netanyahu, como así también a partidos de derecha de la oposición, e incluso recibió el apoyo de la formación de centro derecha Unión Nacional encabezada por Benny Gantz.

El partido de centro izquierda Yesh Atid, liderado por Yair Lapid, se retiró del pleno para evitar apoyar la moción, incluso cuando su presidente habló en el pasado a favor de la solución de dos Estados.

Los diputados del Partido Laborista, y las formaciones árabes Raam y Hadash-Tal fueron los únicos que apoyaron la propuesta.

En pocos días Netanyahu visitará Washington, hablará ante el Congreso y se reunirá con el presidente norteamericano Joe Biden en la Casa Blanca. La movida podría alienar aún más a los legisladores del Partido Demócrata en relación con el Gobierno israelí ante el rechazo a la solución del dos Estados.

La resolución actual, aprobada por 68 votos a favor y 9 en contra, rechaza el establecimiento de un Estado palestino, incluso en el marco de un acuerdo negociado con Israel.

«La Knesset de Israel se opone firmemente al establecimiento de un Estado palestino al oeste de Jordania. El establecimiento de un Estado palestino en el corazón de la Tierra de Israel supondrá un peligro existencial para el Estado de Israel y sus ciudadanos, perpetuará el conflicto palestino-israelí y desestabilizará la región», afirma la resolución.

«Será sólo cuestión de poco tiempo hasta que Hamás se apodere del Estado palestino y lo convierta en una base terrorista islámica radical, y opere en coordinación con el eje liderado por Irán para eliminar el Estado de Israel» añade el texto. «Promover la idea de un Estado palestino en este momento sería una recompensa al terrorismo y sólo alentará a Hamás y a sus partidarios al ver esto como una victoria, gracias a la masacre del 7 de octubre de 2023, y un preludio para la toma del poder del islam yihadista sobre el Medio Oriente”.

18/07/2024 en AURORA

https://aurora-israel.co.il/el-parlamento-de-israel-rechaza-por-abrumadora-mayoria-el-establecimiento-de-un-estado-palestino/

Fmr PM Naftali Bennett tells THE ROSENBERG REPORT: Israel’s rebirth is fulfillment of Ezekiel 37 prophecies.

Fmr PM Naftali Bennett tells THE ROSENBERG REPORT: Israel’s rebirth is fulfillment of Ezekiel 37 prophecies, it’s time to get tougher with Iran, and two-state solution blew up in our faces twice.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Joel C. Rosenberg (Photo: TBN's The Rosenberg Report)

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Israelis this week have been celebrating the 76th anniversary of the Jewish state’s modern rebirth in May 1948.

We are also grieving the death and the wounding of so many of our fellow citizens this year, as well as the 253 who were taken captive by Hamas.

What does it all mean?

'Hamas loves Biden,' Ben-Gvir declares

Shortly after, Israeli figures took to X, responding to the minister's comments.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks at a convention in Jerusalem on January 28, calling for Israel to rebuild settlements in the Gaza Strip.(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Ministers from Israel's far-right parties on Thursday expressed their discontent at US President Joe Biden's comments in a CNN interview on Wednesday that he would stop US some weapon aid to Israel if the IDF would launch a large-scale operation in Rafah.

Netanyahu’s right-wing partners threaten to bolt if hostage deal puts off Rafah op

Smotrich and Ben Gvir raise the stakes amid push for hostage deal.

Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich attend a plenum session on forming the government, in the Israeli parliament, on Dec. 29, 2022 (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90).

As negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue regarding the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing partners have threatened to withdraw their support if these talks result in further delays to the long-planned military incursion into Rafah.

The government will have “no right to exist” unless the Israel Defense Forces invade Rafah, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said. The town in southern Gaza, considered the

Gantz: Iran will pay the price in 'correct manner and time'

"The event is not over" MK Benny Gantz claims, discussing Iranian attack.

By ELIAV BREUER

A drone is launched during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on October 4, 2023.(photo credit: REUTERS)

Leading Israeli politicians argued on Sunday over what the next step should be after Iran's overnight missile and drone attack against Israel.

Minister-without-portfolio and member of Israel's war cabinet, MK Benny Gantz, insinuated in a video statement that Israel would not respond immediately with an attack against Iran.

"Facing Iran, we will build a