Amid ongoing war with Iran and Lebanon, the uncertain future of Gaza and the enduring impact of October 7, Israelis will head to the polls next week to elect their next government.
This special two-part program brings together leading experts to examine both the immediate stakes of the election and the larger questions that will shape Israel’s future.
The first part will examine the forces shaping one of Israel’s most consequential elections in years: the major parties and leaders, the issues driving voters and the debates likely to determine the outcome. How much will Prime Minister Netanyahu’s corruption trial, the role of the ultra-Orthodox and the future of the judiciary influence the vote? What are the most likely paths to forming Israel’s next government?
The second part looks beyond the election to a broader question: What will Israel look like when it celebrates its centennial in 2048? Will the country overcome its deep internal divisions? Will relations with its Arab neighbors improve? Could the Israeli-Palestinian conflict be resolved? How will Israel’s democracy, economy and security evolve? And how will Israel’s relationships with the United States and the Jewish diaspora continue to unfold?
Join us for a conversation about the choices, challenges and opportunities that will shape Israel’s next chapter. With:
David Makovsky, one of America’s foremost experts on Israeli politics, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the evolving strategic landscape of the Middle East.
Dahlia Scheindlin, one of Israel’s most foremost political analysts and pollsters, specializing in elections, public opinion and Israeli society.
Daniel Shapiro, former US Ambassador to Israel and a leading expert on US-Israel relations, Middle East diplomacy and regional security.
Moderated by Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist.