Domestic and Foreign Policy Under Israel’s New Government

On 3rd November 2022 Benjamin Netanyahu’s election win brought to end an unprecedented period of difficulties with forming lasting governing majorities in Israel, after the Jewish State conducted five parliamentary elections in four years’ time. Instability, however, persists in both the domestic and international arenas. The most right-wing government in the country’s history to date stirred up popular opposition with a reform bill that plans to weaken the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, tensions with Palestinians are escalating, Hamas is now posing a risk from both the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, and Iran’s unchecked nuclear enrichment presents an existential threat to Israel as grave as ever. This panel of experts will discuss the most important inflection points that the coming few months are likely to bring in Israel’s domestic and foreign policies.

Speakers:

Yossi Mekelberg | Yossi Mekelberg is professor of International Relations and an associate fellow of the MENA Program at Chatham House. His areas of expertise include Israeli politics, the Middle East peace process, and US foreign policy towards the MENA region. Yossi is currently a weekly columnist for Arab News and serves as a member of the Human Rights Watch London Committee.

Dr. Einat Wilf | Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She is a former Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Independence and the Labor Party. Dr. Wilf has also held roles as Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. She has also written several books analyzing and exploring key issues in Israeli society and politics.

MK Sharren Haskel | Sharren Haskel is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset, currently serving as a member of the National Unity Party. When Haskel was first elected, she was the second youngest member of the 20th Knesset. Haskel is an advocate for environmental and animal rights issues, as well as supporting free markets and civil liberties.