The “Pleas Don’t Please” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Looking for the extra segment? The Center Will Hold? Avigdor Lieberman – head of the secular, right-wing Yisraeli Beiteinu Party – made a bombshell announcement that, after our do-over elections, he will force the Likud and Blue-and-White parties to form a centrist, secular “National Unity Government.” Has Israel’s next government just been formed? Hard Night for Sara Sara Netanyahu pleads guilty to ordering expensive take-out food to the Prime Minister’s residence, ending an ugly four year investigation and trial. What should we make of this whole pathetic affair? A Contrarian Century Ha’aretz celebrates a century of cheesing people off. What impact does this indispensable, infuriating newspaper have on Israeli politics? The Mainstreaming of the LGBTQ Movement in Israel For our most extremely generous Patreon supporters, we discuss in our extra-special, special extra segment the quick spread of LGBTQ parades, events and public presence from Israel’s big cities to, well, most everywhere. What accounts for mainstreaming of the LGBTQ movement, and what does it augur? All this and the newlywed poppiness of Ben Zini ve-Taylor. Music Ben Zini ve-Taylor: Hey Tay (היי טיי) Tay (טיי) Minimor (מיינימור) Nisikhah Sheli (נסיכה שלי)