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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. ToI senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's special episode of What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring one key issue currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. Ultra-Orthodox men of military age have been able to avoid being conscripted to the IDF for decades by enrolling in yeshivas for Torah study and obtaining repeated one-year service deferrals until they reach the age of military exemption. This week, a historic High Court ruling — which found that there is no legal basis for excluding Haredi men from the military draft -- brought the need for a true Haredi draft law into focus. So when Likud MK and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein delayed a vote on a Defense Ministry-backed “draft Security Service Law” due to what he said was a failure to reach a “broad consensus” on the matter, political pundits paid attention. Likewise, polls indicated this week that a "fantasy" political party of former prime minister Naftali Bennett, Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman, New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar and former Mossad director Yossi Cohen would be the largest faction in the Knesset if elections were held today, winning 25 seats. Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Illustrative image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to his supporters after the first exit poll results for the Israeli parliamentary elections at his Likud party's headquarters in Jerusalem, March. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring one key issue currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaks with ToI's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. Ultra-Orthodox men of military age have been able to avoid being conscripted to the IDF for decades by enrolling in yeshivas for Torah study and obtaining repeated one-year service deferrals until they reach the age of military exemption. This week, a historic High Court ruling — which found that there is no legal basis for excluding Haredi men from the military draft -- brought the need for a true Haredi draft law into focus. So when Likud MK and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein delayed a vote on a Defense Ministry-backed “draft Security Service Law” due to what he said was a failure to reach a “broad consensus” on the matter, political pundits paid attention. Likewise, polls indicated this week that a "fantasy" political party of former prime minister Naftali Bennet, Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman, New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar and former Mossad director Yossi Cohen would be the largest faction in the Knesset if elections were held today, winning 25 seats. So this week, as more murmurings of discontent are heard by Likud MK -- and their voting block -- we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, What Matters Now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. Illustrative image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to his supporters after the first exit poll results for the Israeli parliamentary elections at his Likud party's headquarters in Jerusalem, March. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. It is day 236 of the war with Hamas. Political correspondent Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Sokol discusses an upcoming meeting on Wednesday of right-wing party leaders Gideon Sa'ar and Avigdor Liberman with opposition leader Yair Lapid, as they look to create a wider, right-wing alliance to oppose the current government, representing a constellation of hawkish parties that believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition is damaging the country. He also talks about the landslide victory of former Meretz Knesset member and IDF general Yair Golan in Wednesday's Labor party primaries, and Golan's plan to unite all left-wing parties and protest movements into one bloc, aiming to reignite the Israeli left. Sokol mentions the visit of former American UN envoy Nikki Haley to Israel's southern region on Tuesday, where she asserted that Russian intelligence and Chinese funds directly facilitated the devastating October 7 Hamas attacks. For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Sa'ar willing to make ‘concessions' to create right-wing bloc opposing Netanyahu Yair Golan wins landslide victory in Labor primary with promise to unite the left Visiting southern Israel, Nikki Haley blames Iran, Russia and China for October 7 THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Former IDF general and former Meretz MK Yair Golan attended a protest outside of Jerusalem on May 4, 2024 (Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and special guests, filmmakers Natan Odenheimer and Eiv Kristal, join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode. With a multitude of politicians, from MKs Ayellet Shaked to Yoaz Hendel to Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman anointing themselves as the embodiment of the right, Rettig Gur takes a stab at the burning question: Who actually represents the so-called "normal" right these days? The Times of Israel has just released the third installment of the Into The Land series with, “A Tale of Two Cities.” The 20-minute documentary is about Ramle and Lod, each mixed cities with about a fifth Arab Israeli residents. The film presents two very different models for Arab/Jewish coexistence in the aftermath of the riots of May 2021. We hear from filmmakers Natan Odenheimer and Eiv Kristal. And finally, the iconic Krembo dessert is set to get a price hike. Could this be the rallying cry for the next major cost of living protest? Discussed articles include: Shaked agrees to run as leader of Jewish Home, days after split with Zionist Spirit Zionist Spirit's Shaked and Hendel end their short-lived political partnership Under banner of ‘real secular right,' Yisrael Beytenu launches election slate Into the Land: A Tale of Two Cities Into the Land: Dead Sea Walking Into the Land: The Forgery Scandal Iconic Krembo among Unilever products set for price hike as consumer woes continue Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. Image: The production line of the 'Menbo,' the Feldman's Icecream factory's name for the sweet snack better known as 'Krembo' at the factory in Rehovot on October 27, 2015. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
L'opposition et Netanyahou voudraient t soumettre une motion de censure dite constructive qui permettrait de remplacer le gouvernement actuel; en présentant une liste alternative empêchant la dissolution de la knesset -- la grève des enseignants du primaire le ministre des finances Avigdor Liberman voudrait terminer les comptes sur une note positive de ce gt: Une odeur de futures élections mais pas d'accord sur les salaires annoncé L'ambassadeur américain en Israël, Tom Nides, a confirmé que le voyage du Président Joe Biden en Israël aura lieu comme prévu, malgré les bouleversements politiques en Israël
Au sommaire de l'émission: Unilever et Ben and Jerry le mouvement BDS en boycottant Israël et ses implantations. Qu'es-ce qui se cache derrière cette décision? Avigdor Liberman et le ministère des affaires religieuses souhaitent casser le monopole sur la cacherout, vont t-il y arriver? Yaelle Ifrah décrypte l'actualité économique de la semaine au micro d'emmanuelle Adda See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Le ministère des finances au sommet de sa puissance et les réformes qui nous attendent avec la loi budgétaire Qu'en est-il vraiment de la polémique autour de la subvention des crèches déclenchée par Avigdor Liberman ? Décryptage de Yaelle Ifrah au micro d'emmanuelle Adda See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys * It seems that in the past couple of years, the ultra-orthodox and Charedi community in Israel are constantly under the spotlight. It began with the Corona outbreak, when they were, quite despicably, tagged by the media as ‘disease spreaders'. Then, a couple of months ago, with the disaster at Mount Miron, in which 45 Charedis lost their lives as they visited the holy grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai. And now, the Charedis are again in the spotlight, as the new minister of Finance, Avigdor Liberman, announced that he will be cutting funds to the community unless, as he says, Orthodox men go out to work, instead of studying Torah all day. Exactly a month ago, on June 15th, Rabbi Doniel Katz wrote a post on Facebook that went viral. “Having lived exclusively immersed in this culture for the last 21 years, I think I'm sufficiently qualified and well-researched enough to state that the consistent depiction of Chareidim and Torah Judaism by mainstream media, from Netflix to the daily news, is somewhere between delusion, slander and the literal equivalent of racism.“ We'll read the entire post for you soon. Rabbi Katz is the founder and director of The Elevation Project, an organization which aims to unlock the Torah & Kabbalah's definitive model of consciousness, meditation, and human psychology. Rabbi Katz is of course by no means an official representative of the ultra-orthodox community. But he is an educator, a lecturer, and a member of the Charedi community, so we thought it'd be interesting to hear his perspective. We're extremely happy to have Rabbi Katz on the show.
Les prix de l'immobilier explosent, les prix des menus des restaurants s'envolent, et le nouveau ministère des finances dirigé par Avigdor Liberman lance un nouveau Package Deal social avec les partenaires sociaux....Décryptage de l'actualité économique de la semaine de Yaelle Ifrah au micro d'Emmanuelle Adda See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BOMBA! Jornalista do canal 12 levantou fatos que, segundo ele, teriam o poder de anular as investigações em um dos casos em que Netanyahu será julgado, o caso 2000. Mas será que essa bomba tem realmente alto poder destruídor? Tem também toque de recolher parcial nas cidades com os maiores índices de Corona e Avigdor Liberman diz que a população tem que "usar a cabeça" na pandemia e não seguir as orientações do governo. Pode isso, Arnaldo? Quase um ano de "Do Lado Esquerdo do Muro". Episódio 51.
Phil and Cooper record their first remote podcast due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on recent political intrigue in Israel. After three rounds of elections, there may finally be a successful attempt at forming a new Israeli government, with opposition leader Benny Gantz having been tasked with building a coalition. But sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has his own ideas, and he’s using the coronavirus outbreak as a political cudgel. Al-Monitor contributor Ben Caspit joins us remotely from Israel to discuss this and more. Netanyahu's target: to isolate coronavirus, Benny Gantz (Ben Caspit) Netanyahu, Gantz get closer to reaching unity government (Mazal Mualem) Netanyahu's coronavirus strategy erodes Israel's democracy (Ben Caspit) Netanyahu wants an emergency government of Jews only (Afif Abu Much) Netanyahu's chief rival promises 'broad' government 'within a few days' (Elizabeth Hagedorn) Extra Listening: Episode #78, Honey I Shrunk My Coalition (11/29/2018): Phil, Cooper, and Danny Zaken discuss Netanyahu’s political majority falling apart after the departure of Avigdor Liberman along with threats of other cabinet members leaving. Episode #95, Breaking Benjamin (4/12/2019): The first round of elections are called by Netanyahu in an attempt to hold onto power in the face of impending indictments. Episode #101, Panic! At The Knesset (6/7/2019): Netanyahu fails at forming a majority government and calls snap elections for September. Episode #113, Déjà-Yahu (9/20/2019): The second round of Israeli elections in 2019 show Gantz barely leading Netanyahu, but always signals another political stalemate. Episode #120, Gantz Hardly Wait (12/6/2019): After failing to form a majority government for a second time, a third round of elections are called in Israel. Music: Reines Girls - “We’ll Stay Friends” ( Spotify)
Rod Reuven Dovid Bryant and Jerry Gordon bring back a frequent guest, Dan Diker, Director of the Political Warfare Program at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA). They discuss with Diker the apparent Netanyahu victory in the third election in a year in Israel, the rising Israeli Arab quest for normalization in the Jewish state and a new book on Israelphobia and the West published by the JCPA that has caught a wave of attention in Washington, Jerusalem. Alan Dershowitz who participated in a roundtable discussion before an audience of 250 at the JCPA remarked that he considered Israelphobia and the West as the bible on combatting the new antisemitism of Israel as the Jewish state and the return of violence against individual Jews, that occurred in Pittsburgh, Poway, Jersey City and Monsey, New York in the US. Violence against Jews not seen since the Holocaust that took the lives of Six Million European Jews. While the results of Israel’s third election will not be available until early next week, nonetheless, it appears that with 95 percent of the vote tallied that Likud has 36 mandates versus the Blue White alliance’s 32. The Likud led right bloc composed of Shas, Agudath, other religious parties and Yamina are within striking distance of forming a possible ruling coalition with 59 mandates or seats in the Knesset. The Final tally may show perhaps another 3 to 4 Knesset seats from 100,000 votes remaining to be counted. That would cement formation of a Netanyahu ruling coalition in an unprecedented fifth term as Prime Minister. Diker note that the voter turnout was the highest since 1999. Diker attributes that result to intensive campaigning in predominating Likud base areas. That was facilitated by use of an Israeli software system Elexor that identified low Likud base turnout in previous elections and sent text messages to cell phones urging voting turnout. Should President Rivlin grant PM Netanyahu the right to form a new ruling Knesset, that would effectively dent the reputation of Avigdor Liberman and his right wing secular Yisrael Beiteinu party as ‘kingmaker’. Liberman, the former foreign and defense minister in previous Netanyahu governments scored only 7 mandates in this election. Beyond the Matrix 04MAR2020 - PODCAST
Gil Hoffman interviews Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asks him about how US President Donald Trump's diplomatic plan could be advanced if he or Trump are not re-elected in their current elections. Gil asks about the prime minister about his challenges, from Benny Gantz to Avigdor Liberman, from Iran to Hamas and what he will do if re-elected to help English-speaking immigrants to Israel. Netanyahu also speaks about the Coronavirus and chances that Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard will be allowed to move to Israel.
Eli Avidar, a member of Knesset from Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu party, tells Gil Hoffman that he believes a coalition will be formed after the March 2 election and a fourth election will be avoided, because US President Donald Trump will intervene and make sure there will be a government that can implement his Middle East peace plan. Avidar explains what Liberman means when he says he supports the formation of a "liberal Zionist government" after he called for a national unity government ahead of the last election. Gil then analyzes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign strategy, talks about Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's upcoming speech at the UN and explains why the Super Bowl and the Oscars made him proud to be Israeli. Photo Credit: https://knesset.gov.il
Back from Thanksgiving break, Phil and Cooper give a thorough rundown of everything that’s been happening in Israel lately. In the span of a month, Israel’s two leading politicians have failed to form a new government, there’s been violence at the Gaza-Israel border, and Prime Minister Netanyahu not only got a political victory from the Trump Administration, but got indicted as well. And to top it all off, Israel looks like it’s headed for an unprecedented third do-over election. Al-Monitor contributor and former Knesset member Ksenia Svetlova joins the podcast to discuss. What's next for Netanyahu? (Mazal Mualem) Pompeo reinforces Netanyahu’s occupation policies (Akiva Eldar) US says Israeli settlements not necessarily illegal (Laura Rozen) Indicted for bribery, Netanyahu ramps up his victimization campaign (Ben Caspit) Netanyahu at war with legal system (Mazal Mualem) Killing of Islamic Jihad senior: Gantz falls into Netanyahu's trap (Yossi Beilin) Extra Listening: Episode #78, Honey I Shrunk My Coalition (11/29/2018): Phil, Cooper, and Danny Zaken discuss Netanyahu’s political majority falling apart after the departure of Avigdor Liberman along with threats of other cabinet members leaving. Episode #101, Panic! At The Knesset (6/7/2019): Netanyahu fails at forming a majority government and calls snap elections for September. Episode #113, Déjà-Yahu (9/20/2019): The second round of Israeli elections in 2019 show Gantz barely leading Netanyahu, but always signals another political stalemate. Music: Noa Kirel - “Pouch” ( Spotify | Apple Music)
Once again, the mandate to form a government returns and Israel plods along like a motherless ship. New elections loom on the horizon while the left-and-right duke it out. Kingmaker-apparent, Avigdor Liberman, addsfuel to the fire of verbal fisticuffs. PLUS: Colonists? Usurpers? Bah. Humbug. It's ours, the Torah says it; I believe it and that 'settles' it. Pull Up a Chair 21NOV2019 - PODCAST
Rod Reuven Dovid and Jerry Gordon interview Gil Hoffman, chief political analyst and columnist for the Jerusalem Post during his fall tour of the US and Canada. They discuss Israel’s national emergency- the two failures by Prime Minister Netanyahu to form a majority ruling coalition in the Knesset following the April 9th and September 17th, 2019 elections. Now, it is former IDF Chief Benjamin Gantz and his Blue White Alliance turn to see if a national unity government might be formed. But time is running out. Hoffman calls it the ‘garbage time’ as the Jewish nation is awaiting a decision by Attorney General Mandelblit on a possible bribery indictment against Netanyahu which carries with mandatory jail time. . Hoffman noted that Netanyahu’s lawyers have argued against the bribery charge on the alleged grounds of favorable news coverage. If Netanyahu’s American lawyers prevail in their rebuttal arguments, then Netanyahu might be able to form a ruling coalition. Meanwhile, Israel is in a national emergency as there is no functioning government and no funding of basic programs Despite this, Hoffman contends there will be no “threepeat” – a third possible election. The deadline is December 11th. Netanyahu still has a loyal following in Likud. When asked about possible successors to Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister who recently tuned 70, Hoffman cited Gedeon Sa’ar, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and former Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat. Avigdor Liberman is still pressing for a unity party with Gantz’s Blu White Alliance, without the religious parties. Further there is the matter of dealing with the Arab Joint List which could join a coalition in exchange for funding programs. There is the technical possibility of a Blue White Alliance minority government. Hoffman thinks there is no difference between the national security platforms of Gantz and Netanyahu, although the Blue White alliance might more prone to compromise on the Trump peace plan. Hoffman contends that despite the stalemate to form a new Knesset ruling coalition that there is virtual no chance that Israel will change the basic law to raise the threshold for party representation in the Knesset from the current level of 3.25 %. Nor is there any prospect for Israel adopting a written constitution. Political reform, he says is “too complicated”. Pressure, he believes, is building to come up with an effective compromise to form a ruling coalition. Turning to regional threats, Hoffman said that Israelis are “very concerned” about US withdrawal from Syria and alarmed about the debacle abandoning the Kurdish allies. Notwithstanding, the protests opposing Iran in both Iraq and Lebanon, Hoffman cited the possible threat of missile attacks on Israel by Iran -backed Houthi proxies from Yemen. Beyond the Matrix 06NOV2019 - PODCAST
Almost two weeks after Israeli voters cast their ballots for a second time this year, it is still unclear which candidate will lead the country. To make sense of all this, The +972 Podcast turns to leading public opinion analyst Dahlia Scheindlin, who says not much has changed since the April elections. What's different this time, however, is the growing debate over the separation of religion and state in Israel. This internal conflict “is not new, but it became a new arena of political competition in these elections,” explains Scheindlin. She posits that this extremely narrow view of liberalism could potentially grow into something bigger. “Ultimately, that will open people's eyes to all the other related values of a liberal society,” she says. That shift could inspire a deeper discussion on civil and individual rights in Israel, and perhaps push many Israelis to rethink the consequences of endless occupation.Visit +972 Magazine and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.Help support +972 Magazine: 972mag.com/donateThe music in this episode is by Ketsa.Support the show (https://972mag.com/donate)
A week after Israeli elections, hosts Evan Gottesman, Eli Kowaz, and Margaux Nijkerk discuss the Joint List's historic recommendation of Benny Gantz as prime minister, Avigdor Liberman's ever-enigmatic behavior, and why Gantz prefers to let Benjamin Netanyahu have the first shot at forming a government.Support the show (http://support.israelpolicyforum.org/donate)
Israel held another election this week after a first round in April led to a stalemate, when Prime Minister Netanyahu was unable to form a majority government. Though the results from this week are equally confusing, there’s a likelihood that Netanyahu’s grip on power is weakening. Phil and Cooper parse through the numbers: what led to this, what parties are in play, and what comes next? Al-Monitor’s Israel Pulse columnist Akiva Eldar joins the podcast, along with Lara Friedman, President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace. Intel: How Netanyahu's push for redo elections backfired (Danny Zaken) The surprising political tactics of Israel’s Arab party (Shlomi Eldar) Netanyahu down but not out (Mazal Mualem) No talks about peace for Israel in its electoral agenda (Akiva Eldar) Netanyahu's plan to annex Jordan Valley kills all chances for Palestinian state (Daoud Kuttab) Extra Listening: Episode #78, Honey I Shrunk My Coalition (11/29/2018): Phil, Cooper, and Danny Zaken discuss Netanyahu’s political majority falling apart after the departure of Avigdor Liberman along with threats of other cabinet members leaving. Episode #89, Alliance Defiance (2/28/2019): Phil and Cooper explain the Blue & White Coalition and how it was becoming a serious threat to Netanyahu’s leadership, and talk with Mazal Mualem about Bibi’s alliance with far-right parties. Episode #90, Nobody Puts Bibi in the Corner (3/7/2019): Ben Caspit joins the podcast to talk about the announcement about Netanyahu’s potential indictment, and how it will affect him in the April elections. Episode #95, Breaking Benjamin (4/12/2019): Danny Zaken speaks with the podcast about the April election results. Episode #101, Panic! At The Knesset (6/7/2019): Netanyahu fails at forming a majority government and calls snap elections for September. Music: Yoni Bloch - “Makir Oto” (Spotify)
Aesop, the great greek storyteller, once said “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.” Israel, just like any country with a government, has a history of political corruption. Ehud Olmert, Ariyeh Deri, Moshe Katzav, these are all names that are synonymous in most Israeli minds with the concept of political corruption. One party that has been especially dogged by corruption charges is Israel Beyteinu, the party founded and headed by Avigdor Liberman. Today we’re joined by the amazing journalist Simona Weinglass. Simona is an old friend of the podcast, she joined us around two years ago to discuss the fraudulent Binary Options industry we she helped to take down with her groundbreaking expose in the Times of Israel titled the Wolves of Tel Aviv. Today, Simona joins us to talk about corruption in Israel.
Netanyahu reveals secret Iran Atomic Bomb facility in 11th-hour before Sept. 17 Israel elections All Politics? Netanyahu Drops Political Bombshell, Revealing Secret Iran Atomic Bomb Site On Eve of Sept. 17 Israel Election to End or Extend his Term Intro: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have just re-invented the oldest weapon in a political arsenal: an 11th-hour revelation that is difficult for any opponent to disprove or match, even though they are crying foul. With less than one week until the historic rematch elections in Israel, Bibi dropped the ‘Political Bomb' that Israel had exposed another secret Atomic Bomb development site in Iran! Now Israelis going to the polls September 17 must decide if they want to switch drivers in the middle of a crisis. But just because the timing of a revelation of this significance is questionable, doesn't necessarily mean it's untrue, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed finding radioactive material at the site Netanyahu claims was an Atomic Bomb factory prior to Iran destroying it, once discovered. Weighing in on this potentially radioactive subject is former Shiloh, Israeli Mayor David Rubin, and the author of “Trump and the Jews.” Q&A: Mayor Rubin, what do you make of the timing of this revelation? It couldn't be better for Netanyahu. It reinforces his message that he is the strong leader that security-minded Israel needs to keep at the helm. But his opponents are screaming that it's all politics. On September 17, Israelis go to the polls to either end or extend the longest political career of any prime minister in the history of the Jewish state. What do you think the outcome will be? Would a changing of the guard be a good or bad thing for Israel? It could be good or bad depending on several factors, first and foremost, whether the governing coalition leans to the Right or to the Left. Who is Netanyahu's main opponent in this election? His main opponent is Benny Gantz, and their two parties are neck and neck in most of the polls, but, paradoxically, Gantz isn't the main person to watch. If not Gantz, then whom? The main person to watch is Avigdor Liberman, because he leads what appears to be the third-largest party and therefore, holds the balance of power. Can you explain to our viewers/listeners what that means? Of course. Israel has a rather unwieldy parliamentary system with a whole bunch of smaller parties. It's a system in which the leader of the most popular
It's been a slow campaign season in Israel, but things are picking up as September 17 draws ever closer. Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz discuss Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's deal-of-questionable-legality with the far-right Zehut party, Labor leader Amir Peretz's disappearing mustache, a new arrangement between Kachol Lavan and Avigdor Liberman, plus, a look at the polls.Support the show (http://support.israelpolicyforum.org/donate)
The political powers of Israel are furiously negotiating this weekend. Prime Minister Netanyahu is using all of his considerable political skill to forge a path to the establishment of a government after the September 17th Israeli elections. All the polls indicate that Avigdor Liberman will be the kingmaker when it’s time to assemble a coalition to form Israel’s next government. How will these negotiations affect a peace agreement with the Palestinians?
What's new in Israeli politics this week? Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz debate changes on the left, including upcoming Meretz and Labor primaries, as well as the restoration of the Joint List; plus, a discussion of Avigdor Liberman's growing momentum.Support the show (http://support.israelpolicyforum.org/donate)
Last week, something unprecedented happened in Israel: After a bruising election, no party was able to form a government. So, their legislature, the Knesset, disbanded and decided to hold an entirely new election this September. There’s a lot at stake for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s over the next fourteen weeks, with indictments looming and party feuds brewing. So how did this all happen? And what waits ahead for Netanyahu? Phil and Cooper break down the timeline of events and speak with Israel Pulse columnist Akiva Eldar for more insight. Why Israel is voting again (Danny Zaken) Why new elections won’t save Israel’s democracy (Akiva Eldar) Israel’s Knesset in limbo (Mazal Mualem) The final round: Netanyahu versus Liberman (Ben Caspit) Protests spread against Netanyahu’s immunity law (Ben Caspit) Will Israeli Arabs come out to vote in September? (Akiva Eldar) Sen. Van Hollen challenges Trump's bypass of Congress on Saudi Arabia, Iran (Bryant Harris) Extra Listening: Episode #18, Netanya-Who, Me? (8/16/2017): Phil and Cooper break down the investigations into Netanyahu. Episode #78, Honey I Shrunk My Coalition (11/29/2018): Phil, Cooper, and Danny Zaken discuss Netanyahu’s political majority falling apart after the departure of Avigdor Liberman along with threats of other cabinet members leaving. Episode #89, Alliance Defiance (2/28/2019): Phil and Cooper explain the Blue & White Coalition and how it was becoming a serious threat to Netanyahu’s leadership, and talk with Mazal Mualem about Bibi’s alliance with far-right parties. Episode #90, Nobody Puts Bibi in the Corner (3/7/2019): Ben Caspit joins the podcast to talk about the announcement about Netanyahu’s potential indictment, and how it will affect him in the April elections. Episode #95, Breaking Benjamin (4/12/2019): Danny Zaken speaks with the podcast about the April election results. Music: A-WA - “Hana Mash Hu Al Yaman” (Spotify | Apple Music)
On this episode of The Critical Hour, Dr. Wilmer Leon is joined by Jim Kavanagh, political analyst and commentator and editor of The Polemicist; and David Schultz, professor of political science at Hamline University and author of "Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter."Former special counsel Robert Mueller reiterated Wednesday that his office could not clear US President Donald Trump of obstructing justice, asserting in his first public remarks about his investigation that federal prosecutors cannot accuse the commander in chief of a crime while suggesting Congress still may do so. Israel just held elections, but it might have a do-over. According to the Washington Post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a reputation as a slick political negotiator, but just a day away from his deadline to form a new government, he is floundering, raising the prospect of new elections. The thorn in his side is Avigdor Liberman, his former defense minister with whom the Israeli leader has a tempestuous history. Netanyahu needs Liberman, whose party holds five seats in the 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset, to form a majority after coming out ahead in Israel's April 9 elections. Without those five seats, his coalition of right-wing and religious parties holds just 60. Is this really a threat to Netanyahu, and what does it mean for Palestinians and others in the region? The Trump administration has moved to punish Huawei on national security grounds amid a bitter trade dispute with China. But in Europe, the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker has received a different reception. What does this say about the pressure that the US is trying to impose upon Huawei? For insight into this, we turn to Dr. Jack Rasmus, who holds a Ph.D. in political economy and teaches economics and politics at St. Mary's College in California. He is the author "Obama's Economy: Recovery for the Few," "Epic Recession: Prelude to Global Depression" and "The War at Home: The Corporate Offensive from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush."GUESTS:Jim Kavanagh — Political analyst and commentator and editor of The Polemicist. David Schultz — Professor of political science at Hamline University and author of "Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter." Robert Fantina — Pro-Palestine activist, peace and human rights leader, journalist and author of "Essays on Palestine." Michael Welch — Host of the "Global Research News Hour" radio show.
Prime Minister meets with potential coalition partners in bid to finalize deal before deadline runs out. Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader Avigdor Liberman holding out over haredi draft law. Teva Pharmaceuticals pays Oklahoma 85 million dollars to settle lawsuit (Photo: Avigdor Liberman, Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Israeli election was held this week, and the results have found Prime Minister Netanyahu and his primary opponent Benny Gantz tied with 35 Knesset seats each. So why is Netanyahu still being hailed as the victor? Phil and Cooper discuss the events leading up to the election and Netanyahu’s path forward with Al-Monitor Israel Pulse contributor Danny Zaken. Israeli right's election victory buys more time for Netanyahu (Ben Caspit) Likud’s election day dirty tricks (Shlomi Eldar) Israel’s election battles fought on social networks, not at mass rallies (Mazal Mualem) How Netanyahu is in good shape to win re-election despite trailing his rival (Danny Zaken) Extra Listening: Episode #78, Honey I Shrunk My Coalition (11/29/2018): Phil, Cooper, and Danny Zaken discuss Netanyahu’s political majority falling apart after the departure of Avigdor Liberman along with threats of other cabinet members leaving. Episode #89, Alliance Defiance (2/28/2019): Phil and Cooper explain the Blue & White Coalition and how it was becoming a serious threat to Netanyahu’s leadership, and talk with Mazal Mualem about Bibi’s alliance with far-right parties. Episode #90, Nobody Puts Bibi in the Corner (3/7/2019): Ben Caspit joins the podcast to talk about the announcement about Netanyahu’s potential indictment, and how it will affect him in the April elections. Music: Elisha Banai & the Forty Thieves - “Barcelona” (Spotify | Apple Music)
According to US President Donald Trump, Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen is "not under consideration" for extradition "at this point."So, this is what the president said: “No, it's not under consideration …We are looking, always looking, and whatever we can do for Turkey and, frankly, countries that we can get along with very well. We're having a very good moment with Turkey. " Trump said he gets along "very, very well" with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and called him a "friend of mine." "Whatever we can do, we'll do … But that is something that we're always looking at. But at this point, no." What's going on here? Should Fethullah Gulen start packing his bags? Is an Uber on its way to his compound to take him to the airport? Could this be a play or ploy aimed at dealing with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and the Jamal Khashoggi murder? Moscow hosted talks last week to promote peace in Afghanistan as neighbors and regional heavyweights eye the rewards of stability in the long-troubled land. "A modest first step in restoring full-fledged negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban," is how senior Russian senior diplomat Zamir Kabulov defined the landmark conference, which aimed to find a resolution to the long-running Afghan conflict. This was not widely covered in US mainstream media, as far as I can discern. What does this mean? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he will take over the position as defense minister following Avigdor Liberman's resignation. What's behind this resignation, and what does it mean going forward? GUESTS:Caleb Maupin — Journalist and political analyst who focuses his coverage on US foreign policy and the global system of monopoly capitalism and imperialism.Gerald Horne — Professor of history at the University of Houston and author of many books, including Blows Against the Empire: U.S. Imperialism in Crisis.Daniel Lazare — Journalist and author of three books: The Frozen Republic, The Velvet Coup, and America's Undeclared War.Robert Fantina - Journalist and activist working for peace and social justice. He writes extensively about the oppression of the Palestinians by Israel. Author of Empire, Racism and Genocide: A History of U.S. Foreign Policy and Essays on Palestine.
Israel & Hamas progress ceasefire talks The Gaza border has been relatively quiet over the past few days, as Palestinian sources report significant progress in ceasefire negotiations, between Israel and Hamas, Egyptian and U.N. officials have been brokering talks between the two parties, as they attempt to come to an agreement. Advanced & aggressive computer virus hits Iran New reports show that Iranian infrastructure and strategic networks have been targeted by a new and advanced computer virus this week. Iranian officials have not revealed the extent of the damage, but according to Israel's Chadashot news, Iran admits to having faced a cyber-attack, similar to the infamous “Stucks-net virus." Bolsonaro vows to support Israel at the U.N. Amb. Yosef Livne, Retired Israeli Ambassador speaking at ILTV Studio about the newly elected leader that promieses that Israel can count on Brazil's support. 4. Terrorist, Robert Bowers, indicted on 44 counts U.S. Officials have now charged the shooter of the Pittsburgh massacre, Robert Bowers, with 44 counts, in what is considered to be the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Originally, prosecutors detained bowers on 29 counts of hate crimes and firearms offenses, but that number has risen to 44. 5. Hundreds attend funeral for Atar family Hundreds of people attended the funeral of the eight members of the Atar family, who were killed in a fatal head-on collision near the Dead Sea on Wednesday after being struck by an oncoming S.U.V. The funerals for the Atar family, with six children ranging from ages 3 to 12, were held at a Netanya cemetery. 6. Assessment of 2014 oil spill completed Israel's environmental protection ministry reported on Wednesday that the 2014 oil spill in southern Israel's nature reserve caused 281 million shekels in damages. The disaster occurred when a pipe burst open, pouring millions of liters of oil into a nature reserve. 7. Canadian F.M. arrives in Israel for visit Canadian Foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland, arrived to Israel for a four-day visit on Tuesday, for the first time since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was elected in November of 2015. After arriving from Jordan, she immediately attended a meeting with Defense Minister, Avigdor Liberman. 8. ‘Know your customers like never before' Efrat Rapoport, CEO Of Bonobo.AI speaking at ILTV Studio about the conversational intel platform that analyzes customer communications. Death camp survivor displays trauma through art Auschwitz prisoner, David Olere, was assigned the treacherous and traumatic job of disposing bodies at the Nazi death camp. From the horrors he witnessed and experienced, Olere found a way to rise up from the pain and express himself visually and over the years, he has created an array of incredibly moving and haunting artwork. Ultrasound breakthrough While ultrasound examinations are dynamic and in real-time, the doctor who provides the diagnosis is rarely present in the room during the exam. This often means the loss of critical data or it could mean that patients need to come in for follow-ups and that is where “innoging” comes in. International music conference in Tel Aviv Music-lovers in Tel Aviv have a lot to be excited about the 5-day “tune-in” music conference and showcase is underway. This is an annual event that features many of Israel's most well-known bands and up-and-coming artists, who will perform at dozens of bars, venues, and theatres throughout Tel Aviv. 12. ILTV'S top 5 of the week And now for the top five of the week, with ILTV'S Emanuelle Kadosh with the top 5 things you can do on Shabbat. 12. Hebrew word Of The Day: PRITZA | פריצה= BREAKTHROUGH Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today's word is "pritza" which means "breakthrough" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nikki Haley resigns as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, announced her resignation yesterday, stating that she will be leaving by the end of the year, at the oval office on Tuesday, Trump praised Haley for her accomplishments, saying he would welcome her back to the White House at any time in the future. Hunt for Barkan terrorist escalating It's now the fourth day since the man-hunt for the Barkan terrorist was initiated and in a meeting with the elite Duvdevan unit, Defense Minister, Avigdor Liberman asserted that the terrorist, Ashraf Walid Na'alowa, will soon be captured. Hamas' “night confusion unit” escalates activities Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Bar Ilan University speaking at ILTV Studio about the new unit of Hamas that is trained and designed to harass Israel during the night and have now accelerated its efforts. Airport detention of Lara Alqasem continues Lara Alqasem, the U.S. student who has been denied entry into Israel as a result of her support of the B.D.S. movement, has decided to stay and personally fight the ban in court. Immigration authority spokeswoman, Sabine Haddad, emphasized that Alqasem is not under arrest, but has just been refused entry. Poll says Likud is still frontrunner in elections With both the Jewish conversion laws and Haredi military conscription laws on the backburner many in the government are watching to see if the coalition will call for early elections. Israeli teen wins gold in youth summer Olympics Israel has already achieved two medals at the youth Olympic games in Buenos Aires, 15-year-old Israeli swimmer, Anastasiya Gorbenko, has won the gold medal in the women's 200-meter individual swim competition on Sunday and here with us is ILTV'S Joy Gavillon to tell us more about it, Joy this is great news for Israel. Cabinet approves absorption of 1000 Falash Mura The Israeli cabinet has finally approved Prime Minister Netanyahu's September announcement, to bring Ethiopian Jews from the Falash Mura community to Israel there are still over 8000 Falash Mura Ethiopian Jews living in Ethiopia. 8. What's can beat an Israeli designer/model collab? What better way to see and show support for one another than by having an Israeli model open a fashion show for an Israeli designer, in New York City, the young Israeli model, Neta Alchimister, just walked her very first runway, wearing none other than “Berta bridal.” ILTV'S Emanuelle Kadosh is here with the details. 3 Israeli companies land on genius companies list Time magazine has just completed its first annual list of genius companies, which it considers to be inventing the future, and three Israeli companies have made the list. The candidates were evaluated based on originality, influence, success, and ambition. 10. Hebrew word Of The Day: CHADSHANUT | חדשנות = INNOVATIVE Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today's word is "chadshanut" which means "innovative" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a rare public address in Washington, D.C., Israel's defense minister explained his government's strategy for dealing with challenges including the emergence of a direct Iranian front to the north and recurrent mass protests along the Gaza border to the south. Near East PolicyCast: Conversations on Middle East issues from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Liberman speaks to Matthew Kalman at a Times of Israel event in Tel Aviv, June 16, 2017.