Israel

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Former Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, leader of the far right Likud Party, has failed to form a government. His rival, former general Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, will now get a chance. In the US, the two big parties make their coalitions before the election, […]

Israel

As Israel struggles to form a Government, why do its poorest immigrants vote for the right and far right?

The Conversation

By Amandine Desille | – The Israeli election was held on September 17, but it remains unclear who – Benyamin Netanyahu (Likud) or his main opponent Benny Gantz (Blue White) – will be able to bring together a government. One thing is for sure: in elections in April and September 2019, Israel’s populist, religious and […]

Israel

Netanyahu no Longer King in Israel: A Byzantine Electoral Gothic

H. Scott Prosterman

(Informed Comment) – The outcome of the Israeli election is still difficult to predict, since in parliamentary systems the horse trading comes after the election. This much is certain, though: Benjamin Netanyahu’s day is done as the man who would be king. That’s how he perceived himself, and that’s what he ran on. This included […]

Elections

What Israel’s Inconclusive Elections and Gridlock Means for Palestinians and the Mideast

The Conversation

By Martin Beck | – With no clear winner in September’s Israeli elections, both the incumbent prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his only serious contender, Benny Gantz, will now set about trying to form a governing coalition. Both are tarnished by the result. Contrary to elections held in April when Netanyahu’s right-wing party, Likud, and […]

Elections

Palestinian-Israeli Joint List Gains Seats, as Netanyahu’s Demonization Backfires

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Binyamin Netanyahu appears to have fallen short in his quest for a majority of 61 in the 120-seat Israeli parliament or Knesset. As I write, his far-right Likud Party is tied 32 to 32 with its center-right rival, Blue and White. Netanyahu campaigned frenetically and acted a little unbalanced during […]

Elections

Israel elections: who women vote for and how it’s shifting

The Conversation

By Einat Gedalya-Lavy | – Israelis are heading to the polls in a unique election. The vote on September 17 is the first time Israelis will vote in two elections in the same year, after the Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, failed to form a new coalition government following the April 2019 […]

Iraq

How Iraq Is Standing Up For Itself, After Israeli Attacks

Mustafa Habib

(Niqash) – Mustafa Habib Often trapped between Iran and the US, Iraq’s foreign policy experts have been playing a wily game to avoid it happening again – especially after suspected Israeli attacks inside the country. 6.09.2019 | Baghdad Politics Unusual: Iraqi leaders came together to formulate a measured response. In Iraq, both politicians, military and […]

Donald Trump

Trump Awaits orders from Saudis; and Why the Houthis could have Done It

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump’s bizarre infatuation with strongmen and dictators was on full display in his response to Saturday’s drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities. As our foremost Gulf expert, Kristian Ulrichsen, noted, The way you phrase it sounds like you are waiting for the Saudis to tell you what to do. […]

Israel

Debate: Should Palestinian Citizens of Israel Boycott Tuesday’s Elections?

Al-Shabaka

By Nijmeh Ali and Yara Hawari | – (Al-Shabaka) – Palestinian citizens of Israel earlier this year organized a campaign to boycott the April Knesset elections. Under the banner of the “Popular Campaign for the Boycott of the Zionist Elections,” the campaign called on Palestinians to refuse participation in the Israeli general elections so as […]