Israeli elections

Right-wing activists attend a ceremony honoring late Jewish extremist leader Rabbi Meir Kahane in Jerusalem, Nov. 17, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

How Kahanism found its way into the Israeli political mainstream

Genocidal rhetoric is not new to Israeli politics. But Gaza's destruction mirrors the apocalyptic language pouring out of the Knesset — where the establishment has gradually absorbed members of a former terrorist group.

By Natasha Roth-Rowland May 14, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking before the U.S. Congress, March 3, 2015. (Official Photo for Speaker John Boehner by Heather Reed/Flickr)

Will the midterms spell the end of US ‘red lines’ on Israel?

Foundation for Middle East Peace President Lara Friedman speaks to +972 about a dangerous new phase in American pro-Israel politics.

By Nate Orbach November 7, 2022

Members of the Joint List arrive for a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, as Rivlin begins consulting political leaders to decide who to task with trying to form a new government, September 22, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Joint List is dead. Who will lead the fight for Palestinian citizens?

The re-fragmentation of Palestinian parties in Israel exemplifies the lack of a political compass to guide their struggle, with the public divided on how to confront both a far-right government and a broken liberation movement.

By Amjad Iraqi November 7, 2022

Latest

Itamar Ben Gvir, head of Otzma Yehudit, celebrates with his supporters at an election night party, Jerusalem, November 1, 2022. (Oren Ziv)

The Kahanists won. Here’s how the left can rebuild

The results of the latest Israeli election are bleak. But amid the despair are clues to the way forward.

By Haggai Matar November 2, 2022

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the annual CyberTech conference, March 3, 3022. (Tomer Neuberg/FLASH90)

Netanyahu’s last stand

The ex-prime minister's new autobiography shows how his worldview became the common denominator in Israeli politics. That may also prove his downfall.

By Noam Sheizaf October 30, 2022

Members of the Joint List arrive for a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President's Residence, Jerusalem, September 22, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The forgotten role of Palestinian citizens in Israel’s coalition wars

Contrary to popular belief, Arab parties have been backing prime ministerial candidates for decades. But what did they gain from the political game?

By Wadea Awawdy October 27, 2022

Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas and party members at the party headquarters in Tamra, on election night, March 23, 2021. (Flash90)

Disillusioned with Ra’am, a new party wants Bedouins to have their own voice

The Islamist Ra'am has long had strong support in the Naqab. But after the party's failures in government, Bedouin citizens are demanding a change.

By Baker Zoubi August 17, 2022

A woman holds her baby as she casts her ballot for Knesset elections at a voting station in Jerusalem, on September 17, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

A guide to Israel’s never-ending elections

Israeli citizens will once again vote on whether to keep Netanyahu in power — and decide just how far right the country will go.

By Haggai Matar February 19, 2021

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Joint List party chairman Ayman Odeh talk during a vote at the Knesset on November 18, 2015. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

PODCAST: Why is Netanyahu suddenly courting Palestinian voters?

After years of inciting against Palestinian citizens of Israel, Bibi does an about-face. +972's Edo Konrad and Amjad Iraqi make sense of another election.

By Edo Konrad and Amjad Iraqi January 29, 2021

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak change the epaulets of Israeli Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, February 14, 2011. (Abir Sultan/Flash90)

Why are Israeli generals such terrible politicians?

The popular myth that army generals have the skills to excel in politics will continue so long as Israeli society idealizes the military and masculinity.

By Noa Balf December 11, 2020

The first government conference of the new Israeli unity government, headed by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz (not seen) at the Knesset, May 17, 2020. (Alex Kolomoisky/POOL)

Netanyahu is dismantling the Israeli ‘kingdom’ — and that’s a good thing

Netanyahu is tearing down the state's institutions, and in the process unmasking the sludge of seven decades' worth of racism and supremacism.

By Meron Rapoport August 31, 2020

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech at Likud headquarters on election night, Tel Aviv, September 17, 2019. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

How Netanyahu mainstreamed his dark, anti-democratic vision for Israel

By attacking the judiciary, bringing extremists into his coalition, and trying to subvert voting rights, Benjamin Netanyahu has presented a dark vision of an anti-democratic future for Israeli politics. By Harry Reis Benjamin Netanyahu emerged from September’s repeat elections a failure. Denied his desired majority, the prime minister’s only real hope of retaining power now…

By +972 Magazine October 4, 2019

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in front of a picture of Vladimir Jabotinsky, Jerusalem, May 12, 2002. (Flash90)

Likud vs Likud: How Revisionist Zionism conquered Israeli politics

Israel’s elections have been billed as a clash of the titans between Netanyahu and Gantz. But no matter who wins, the real victory goes to Vladimir Jabotinsky, the grandfather of the Likud. In what should be regarded as a historic photograph taken last Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of the Likud party, and Benny…

By Amjad Iraqi September 26, 2019