Jacobin Radio

Suzi talks to Yoav Peled about the outcome of Israel’s 4th election in two years, ending Benjamin Netanyahu's long reign--for the time being. Netanyahu unleashed a major shock and awe campaign against Gaza for 11 days last month -- as he did in November 2019, to deflect attention from his own legal problems and his inability to form a governing coalition. This time Hamas rockets and Israeli bombs failed to save Netanyahu’s hold on power and prevent a more moderate coalition from upending his rule. Neftali Bennet, far right leader of the tiny Yamina (Rightward) party will be PM for two years, yielding to his secular-centrist coalition partner Yair Lapid for the next two years. Netanyahu, facing criminal corruption charges, warns "he’ll be back." Yoav Peled clarifies what this means, and explains the dynamics of nationalism and religion in Israel (his latest book is the timely The Religionization of Israeli Society) among both Muslims and Jews. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.