Israel Policy Pod

For the second time in Israel's seemingly interminable election cycle, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deployed the possibility of Jordan Valley annexation as way to rally support — even if Israel's security and relationship with the neighboring Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan suffer because of it. All the while, the United States appears more deferential on annexation than ever before. Will Bibi really exploit this so-called "historic opportunity?" How will the Jordanians and Palestinians...

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz discuss the biggest Israeli political news story of the past decade: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicted in three corruption cases, with charges including fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. Support the show

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Margaux Nijkerk are joined by Hagai Levy, co-creator of the the HBO hit series "Our Boys," to discuss the impact of the show. Support the show

Less than two weeks before his keynote address at Israel Policy Forum’s Annual Event in New York City, MK and former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. (res.) Yair Golan sits down with Eli Kowaz to talk about Israeli politics, Israel’s future with the Palestinians, and the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin. Support the show

Hosts Evan Gottesman, Eli Kowaz, and Margaux Nijkerk speak with Israel Policy Forum's Policy Director Michael Koplow about how the topic of conditioning American aid to Israel has entered the Democratic Party primary race and what it means for the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Support the show

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz discuss what happens when Benjamin Netanyahu hands over the mandate to form a government next week, and how Israel's political uncertainty squares with America's withdrawal from the Middle East and the ascent of Turkey and Russia in the region. Support the show

Hosts Evan Gottesman, Eli Kowaz, and Margaux Nijkerk are joined by IPF Atid's Shanie Reichman as they parse the meaning of Israel's present political paralysis and what Prime Minister Netanyahu's future portends for the U.S.-Israel partnership. Support the show

Benjamin Netanyahu may have been given the first opportunity to form a government, but he isn't having a good day or week for that matter. Hosts Evan Gottesman, Eli Kowaz, and Margaux Nijkerk discuss the embattled prime minister's legal troubles, pre-indictment hearings, and recent political setbacks. Support the show

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

The day after Israel's second election of 2019, hosts Evan Gottesman, Eli Kowaz, and Margaux Nijkerk parse the results of the do-over Knesset contest. Exact election results are subject to change as additional ballots are counted Support the show

Before Israelis head to the polls, tune in to our briefing with journalist and former Member of Knesset Ksenia Svetlova, covering developments from the last stage of the campaign: the cameras bill, Prime Minister Netanyahu's Jordan Valley promise and trip to Russia, the Liberman-Bibi rivalry, and the state of the smaller parties. Support the show

Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to annex the Jordan Valley region of the West Bank (and the rest of the settlements, for good measure) if he comes out on top in next week's election, and he hopes President Trump will help. Hosts Evan Gottesman, Eli Kowaz, and Margaux Nijkerk break down what that means in the context of Israeli domestic politics and relations with the rest of the world. Support the show

There are less than two weeks left before Israelis head to the polls, and a quiet campaign season is finally picking up. Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz are joined by a new co-host, Margaux Nijkerk, to discuss Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pro-annexation push, the Trump administration's maneuvering on Bibi's behalf, and Benny Gantz's stance on territorial compromise; plus, a look at the polls. Support the show

Host Evan Gottesman speaks with Sima Shine of the Institute for National Security Studies about recent developments in Israel's campaign against Iranian proxies in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, as well as the Trump administration's potential outreach to Iran and ramifications for American interests in the Middle East. Support the show

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

Israel Policy Pod's Evan Gottesman hosts a briefing with Arik Rudnitzky, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, on the latest developments in Israeli Arab politics — including Joint List leader Ayman Odeh's announcement that he would conditionally sit in a government led by Benny Gantz. Support the show

Eli and Evan are joined by Government Relations Manager Aaron Weinberg to discuss the Israeli government decision to deny Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib entry into Israel. Support the show

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz review three potential election outcomes — a unity government, a center-left coalition, and a right-wing coalition — and explain why one possibility looks more likely than the others. Support the show

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz run down the list of major political parties running in the September Knesset elections. Support the show

Host Eli Kowaz and Policy Director Michael Koplow discuss the Meretz-Barak-Shaffir merger on the Israeli left and its implications. Recorded on a bus so please excuse audio difficulties but admire our dedication. Support the show