Israel Policy Pod

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 Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Blues...

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. Suppor...

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; p...

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 Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and su...

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. S...

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 Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our emai...

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 Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , 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 show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

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

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz discuss Labor and Meretz primaries, Arab party politicking, and an apparent endorsement of partial unilateral West Bank annexation from American Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

Host Eli Kowaz discusses about synagogue and state will play into the Knesset race with guest Uri Keidar, the executive director of Israel Hofsheet, an organization dedicated to advancing cultural and religious pluralism in Israel. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

Today's episode of Israel Policy Pod features highlights from our latest Israeli elections briefing, featuring Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, a policy analyst and public opinion expert who has advised five Knesset campaigns, as well as electoral and civil society campaigns in fifteen countries.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

Policy Director Michael Koplow speaks with host Evan Gottesman about Israel's second election of 2019. Plus, a dispatch from Communications Director Eli Kowaz in Tel Aviv. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

Host Evan Gottesman speaks with Tamara Cofman Wittes of the Brookings Institution about how Israeli annexation of West Bank territory would play out with other Middle East governments. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz get to the heart of the incoming Trump administration "ultimate deal" plan; plus, an original Eurovision song mashup from Eli. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

Hosts Evan Gottesman and Eli Kowaz discuss Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's troubled pursuit of immunity from prosecution and backlash from Gidon Saar and other Likudniks, plus a five minute aside on the geography of Eurovision's Eastern European and non-European contestants. Later in the episode, Samantha Pohl makes her podcast debut. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter...

Evan Gottesman speaks to Israel Policy Forum's Israel Fellow Nimrod Novik, a former senior foreign policy adviser to Shimon Peres, about Israel's strategy in Gaza and why Palestinians and Israelis keep returning to brief (but costly) exchanges over the Strip. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .

The Palestinian Authority is rejecting tax transfers from Israel. Why? And what does it mean for the future of the pro-annexation movement and the viability of the Palestinian Authority itself? Israel Policy Pod host Evan Gottesman and Policy Director Michael Koplow discuss. Read: Michael Koplow on the tax transfer issues and the risks of partial annexation Read: Evan Gottesman on the Paris Protoc...

Israel Policy Pod host Evan Gottesman speaks with Israeli pollster Camil Fuchs (Channel 13) to get a clearer sense of where the Israeli public truly stands regarding Benjamin Netanyahu and West Bank annexation. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Twitter/X , and Bluesky , and subscribe to our email list here .