Israel Policy Pod

On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts RAND’s Distinguished Chair for Israel Policy Shira Efron and Israel Policy Forum Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow to preview next Tuesday’s high-stakes Israeli election. They examine Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection chances and enduring appeal among his right-wing base, the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition campaign led by Gadi Eisenkot, the fate of smaller parties hovering around the electoral threshold, and how Arab-Israeli voters could swing the race. They also offer predictions for election day and the weeks ahead, including whether either side will be able to form a new government.

Finally, they reflect on the tragic death of our dear friend and past podcast guest Aziz Alghashian, a leading researcher of Saudi-Israel relations whose work helped advance dialogue and understanding across the region. They remember his contributions as a scholar and bridge-builder, as well as the warmth, respect, and good humor he brought to difficult conversations.
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In this episode, Neri Zilber, Israel Policy Forum policy advisor and host of Israel Policy Pod, is joined by Tal Schneider, political and diplomatic correspondent for The Times of Israel, to discuss her recent book on women in combat during the October 7 war and the latest developments in Israel's election campaign.

They examine Gadi Eisenkot's prospects of becoming Israel's next prime minister, his personal and political background, and his potential policy priorities, including on the West Bank. They also explore whether Eisenkot could successfully lead a new government, possible post-election scenarios, and what the election could mean for Benjamin Netanyahu's political future.
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In this episode, Neri Zilber, Israel Policy Forum policy advisor and host of Israel Policy Pod, is joined by Amir Tibon, Haaretz journalist and author of The Gates of Gaza, to discuss his family’s survival of the October 7 attack and their difficult decision to return home to Kibbutz Nahal Oz. They discuss what life is like in Israel’s Gaza border communities three years after October 7, the lasting impact of the attack on Israeli society and politics, and how these dynamics are shaping the upcoming Knesset election.
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In this episode, Neri Zilber is joined by Amos Harel, Haaretz military correspondent and author of the recent Hebrew-language book 06:29: Anatomy of a Failure, to examine what we know about the October 7 attack nearly three years later. They discuss reports that Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received warnings from Arab officials before the attack, the conspiracy theories that have emerged in Israel and abroad, and how Israel’s military and intelligence failures can be explained. They also assess the state of Israel’s multi-front conflicts, how October 7 has reshaped Israel’s security doctrine, and what could change under a new Israeli government following the upcoming Knesset election.

Listen to our new podcast Disputed Territory with Shanie Reichman here.
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In this episode, Amb. Michael Ratney, Distinguished Policy Fellow at Israel Policy Forum, joins host Neri Zilber, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist, to discuss the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen, the prospects for U.S. military involvement under President Donald Trump, and the implications for Saudi Arabia and regional stability. They also break down the history of Saudi-Israel normalization, how close the sides came to a U.S.-brokered deal before October 7, the prospects for a future agreement, and what Saudi Arabia would demand in return.

Listen to our new podcast Disputed Territory with Shanie Reichman here.

Read Amb. Ratney's recent op-ed on Lindsey Graham and Israel-Saudi normalization in The Times of Israel here.
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