Israeli Coalition Politics and Foreign Policy

Binyamin Netanyahu supported upgrading the referendum law to placate his coalition members on the Right, but he has shown that he will welcome back the ultra-Orthodox parties under certain circumstances.

Netanyahu Has Become Mainstream Israel

In his diplomatic address at the BESA Center, Netanyahu successfully redefined the Israeli consensus and became a mainstream political leader.

Too Clever By Half? The Problematics of Demilitarization and Other Shadows in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s BESA Center Speech

Netanyahu’s real purpose seems to be procrastination and shifting the onus of progress onto the Palestinians. This strategy could backfire, as other parties fill the diplomatic vacuum with proposals of their own. Netanyahu’s insistence on demilitarization opens the door to demands for mutual demilitarization.

Netanyahu’s Begin-Sadat Center Speech: An Attempt at Consensus Diplomacy

The speech represents a political success for Netanyahu, as he managed to improve relations with the US while simultaneously keeping his governing coalition intact. But down the line he will need a national unity government to make difficult decisions on settlements and more.

The Decline of the Israel Labor Party

The Labor Party decayed because it abandoned the values of military service and settlement, became identified with the wealthy, abandoned Jerusalem, was identified with the failed Oslo peace process, and failed to stay in sync with demographic changes in Israel.

Israel in 2009: A One-Block State of the Right

The Israeli election result this week confirms the emergence of a one-block, right-of-center dominant political reality in Israel; a fact that is likely to dominate for many years to come. Kadima’s electoral achievement is ephemeral.

Centrism in Israeli Politics and the Olmert Government

Israeli society is often conceived of as deeply divided, characterized by profound chasms separating many sectors of society. The victory of the centrist Kadima Party in the 2006 Israeli elections suggests that Israel is far less divided than presumed. Kadima's victory indicates the existence of a strong political center in Israel. The success of Israel's new government may depend on the prime minister's comprehension of this fact and his ability to build upon it.

Israeli Electoral Politics