Episode #113: Déjà-Yahu (feat. Akiva Eldar & Lara Friedman)

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)