Episode #129: The Wizarding World of Bibi Netanyahu (feat. Ben Caspit)

Phil and Cooper record their first remote podcast due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on recent political intrigue in Israel. After three rounds of elections, there may finally be a successful attempt at forming a new Israeli government, with opposition leader Benny Gantz having been tasked with building a coalition. But sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has his own ideas, and he’s using the coronavirus outbreak as a political cudgel. Al-Monitor contributor Ben Caspit joins us remotely from Israel to discuss this and more. Netanyahu's target: to isolate coronavirus, Benny Gantz (Ben Caspit) Netanyahu, Gantz get closer to reaching unity government (Mazal Mualem) Netanyahu's coronavirus strategy erodes Israel's democracy (Ben Caspit) Netanyahu wants an emergency government of Jews only (Afif Abu Much) Netanyahu's chief rival promises 'broad' government 'within a few days' (Elizabeth Hagedorn) Extra Listening: Episode #78,  Honey I Shrunk My Coalition (11/29/2018): Phil, Cooper, and Danny Zaken discuss Netanyahu’s political majority falling apart after the departure of Avigdor Liberman along with threats of other cabinet members leaving. Episode #95,  Breaking Benjamin (4/12/2019): The first round of elections are called by Netanyahu in an attempt to hold onto power in the face of impending indictments. Episode #101,  Panic! At The Knesset (6/7/2019): Netanyahu fails at forming a majority government and calls snap elections for September. Episode #113,  Déjà-Yahu (9/20/2019): The second round of Israeli elections in 2019 show Gantz barely leading Netanyahu, but always signals another political stalemate. Episode #120,  Gantz Hardly Wait (12/6/2019): After failing to form a majority government for a second time, a third round of elections are called in Israel. Music: Reines Girls - “We’ll Stay Friends” ( Spotify)