Intro

This week, Israel swore in a new Parliament, paving the way back to power for former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even as he is on trial for corruption. Now, the country is on the cusp of its most right-wing government in history.

Who and what forces are behind these events in Israeli politics?

Guest: Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• To win election, Mr. Netanyahu and his far-right allies harnessed perceived threats to Israel’s Jewish identity after ethnic unrest and the subsequent inclusion of Arab lawmakers in the government.
• The rise of the Israeli far right has stoked fear among some Palestinians of a surge of violence.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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