Eli Cohen

Netanyahu won the Likud primary. Can Likud win beyond its base? - opinion

Likud is walking out of this primary further to the Right, unmistakably built around Netanyahu, security-minded to its core, still ready to sit with the ultra-Orthodox parties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen.

Energy minister touts oil pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz

Incoming Mossad director Roman Gofman arrives to a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 5, 2026

Editor's Notes: The Mossad has always been led by outsiders - comment

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 8, 2025.

Likud members still support Netanyahu, hold reservations on his policies - poll


11,000 trapped Jewish descendants in Ethiopia await rescue

The Foreign Ministry is working to help the Israelis and people eligible for aliyah currently trapped in Ethiopia's Gondar region.

 Photo of the Gondar Jewish community a few weeks ago.

'Palestinian issue' not obstacle to Israel-Saudi peace, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen discussed Hezbollah, Iran, and Israel's planned judicial reform in rare interview with Arabic-language online newspaper Elaph. 

 Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen at the Foreign Press Association briefing, July 3, 2023.

PA says Saudis mustn't bow to US, Israel optimistic over deal

The PA has wanted the Saudis to insist on a resolution of the conflict along the pre-1967 lines, whereas Israel has hoped to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia without such a step.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 7, 2023.

Israel will have direct flights to Mecca by 2024, FM Cohen predicts

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had hoped it could arrange for direct flights between the two countries, even in advance of the deal, but to date, those efforts have not borne fruit.

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.

Netanyahu: We will use summer to 'reach internal agreements'

The prime minister's remarks came following Likud ministers and MKS expressing their resolve to pass any future judicial reform legislation with broad consensus.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Sunday's cabinet meeting.

Israeli firefighting team begins fighting Greece's fires in Operation Firebird

Israel sent a team of four pilots in addition to ground crews, experts in forest fire containment, and a variety of necessary equipment. 

 Israel Police officers and rescue personnel are seen in Greece preparing to carry out an emergency aid mission fighting the forest fires raging in northern Athens on July 21, 2023.

FM Cohen appeals to France to help prevent military conflict with Lebanon

“I asked my friend, Foreign Minister Colonna, to exercise France's influence in Lebanon in order to help resolve the tensions efficiently and quickly,” Cohen said.

 Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna

Israel's Eli Cohen in Greece to talk energy, tourism

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, in Athens on Thursday.

 Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis in Athens on July 6, 2023

Israeli foreign minister extols new era with Turkey. Then Turkey nabs alleged Mossad agents

As "a new era of relations" between Israel and Turkey seems to be dawning, recent events may complicate matters.

 Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen at the Foreign Press Association briefing, July 3, 2023.

Israel joins Sudan humanitarian aid effort

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Israel is committed to helping maintain the calm in Sudan.

 SUDAN’S SOVEREIGN council head General Abdel al-Fattah Burhan meets Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Khartoum on February 2.