The “Smile for the Camera!” 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. --Smile!-- Some Israelis think that PM Netanyahu’s plan to have cameras in polling places will destroy democracy, while others think it will save it. Why the Rashamon? --What, Me Vote?-- Seven in ten Israelis vote. What’s with the other three? --Politics of Pieties and Pieties of Politics-- Angry ultra-Orthodox feminists say that progressive, secular do-gooders fighting for their rights are messing up their game and setting back their cause. Do they have a point? --Is Trauma a Key to Understanding Israeli Politics?-- For our most extremely generous Patreon supporters, we discuss journalist Matti Friedman’s socko, controversial pre-election column in the Times, The One Thing No Israeli Wants to Discuss. Is trauma a key to understanding Israeli politics? All this and the happy hipness of Beatnik! --Music-- Beatnik (ביטניק), in celebration of their new record, Seret Ahavah Mitz (מיץ) Ahuvati (אהובתי) LeSapper Lach Emet (לספר לך אמת) Seret Ahavah (סרט אהבה)