Israel Policy Pod

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 countedSupport the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz run down the list of major political parties running in the September Knesset elections.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

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 showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

Host Eli Kowaz and Policy Director Michael Koplow discuss the return of Ayelet Shaked to lead the New Right party, as well as other developments in the Israeli elections.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

With the deadline for final party registration fast approaching in Israel, hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz check in with developments from Labor, Meretz, and the Arab parties. Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

From tunnels under Silwan to arguments on Twitter, ancient history is in the news in Israel. Host Evan Gottesman speaks with Yonathan Mizrahi, founder and executive director of Emek Shaveh, an Israeli NGO working to stop the politicization of archaeology in Israel and the West Bank.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

In this week’s episode host Eli Kowaz talks to ALLMEP Executive Director Joel Braunold about the Trump administration’s workshop in Bahrain, and discusses Israeli elections with Policy Director Michael Koplow.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.