The Intelligence from The Economist Always be their Bibi? Israel votes, again
Mar 23, 2021
Anshul Pfeffer, The Economist’s Israel correspondent, shares insights on the political turmoil in Israel as the nation heads into its fourth election in two years. He discusses Prime Minister Netanyahu's enduring grip on power and the complexity of coalition-building amidst corruption charges. The conversation also touches on how public sentiment has shifted due to the pandemic's aftermath and its implications for Israeli democracy. In a lighter segment, a historical look at the evolution of cookies, especially the chocolate chip cookie, brings a sweet twist to the discussion.
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Netanyahu's Re-Election Bid
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces re-election for the fourth time in two years.
- His campaign focuses on Israel's vaccination program, but he's under indictment for corruption.
Vaccination Program Boosts Likud
- Netanyahu's Likud party's polling numbers surged due to Israel's successful vaccination rollout.
- The party's pandemic handling was initially perceived negatively.
Coalition Building Key to Majority
- Netanyahu's Likud is expected to be the largest party, but a majority depends on coalition-building.
- The opposition is divided, making it hard to challenge Netanyahu despite his unpopularity with some.