Israeli Elections and Middle East politics

In this episode, Providence College Professor of Political Science Ruth Ben-Artzi talks with podcast host Professor William Hudson about the recent Israeli elections and other developments in Middle East politics.  With the fourth election in four years last Tuesday producing little change in the distribution of votes from the previous three, Israel seems looked into a “Groundhog Day” like repetitive electoral cycle.  Professor Ben-Arzi does point out some differences this time, particularly in the centrality of Prime Netanyahu’s continuation in office as an election issue for the opposition.  She reviews some possibilities of a coalition forming solely for removing him from office and the prospects for a return to more normal politics.  The fundamental political divisions in Israeli politics, however, could get in the way of that outcome.  We also discuss the impact of the Trump administration on politics in the region, including the “Abraham Accords” and relations with Iran.