Balagan

Why does the public need lobbyists? With Rachel Gur

Lobbying, generally in the name of corporate interests, has become a permanent feature of policy making in most democratic countries, including in the US and Israel.   If the big companies are represented by lobbyists then who represents the people? Meet Lobby 99, the 1st and ONLY Public lobby which is working to represent the interests of the general Israeli public on a wide range of social-economic issues including banking reform, pension rights, healthcare and lowering the cost of living.  

 Rachel Gur, an Israeli attorney, who worked as a advisor to an Israeli cabinet member for almost a decade and now serves as Director of Policy at Lobby 99, is to explain how to advance the public interest for the vast majority of the public that cannot afford to hire corporate lobbyists to represent them in the halls of power.

To know more about Lobby 99 (And to support) - https://lobby99.org.il/en

#Lobby99 #לובי99

Who ignited the current round of violence in Israel? With Jeff Becker

What is going on in Israel? More than 1500 rockets fired by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the last 48 hours, after Hamas promised to hurt Israel for banning access to Dom of the Rock from Muslims. Ramadhan fest, the flag march on Jerusalem day, Sheich Jarach, all came down to a climax, but what ignited the ongoing round of violence, what is happening in Israel and Gaza, and why. That is what I am here to discuss with my friend Jeff Becker.

 

Who’s afraid of the Supreme Court of Israel? With Prof. Roy Peled

The Supreme court of Israel has been an ongoing target to the right-wing arrows, mostly around the claim that it prevents the government from ruling and the Knesset from passing laws that represent the majority’s wishes. All of that is because the court’s ruling on the legality of the Knesset legislation and decisions of state authorities.

When did this tension began, Is the Supreme Court really a barrier to governance as the critics say or just playing it’s role as part of the separation of powers in Israel?

And who can help me explain this better than the one and only, Dr. Roy Peled.

Dr. Peled is an Administrative and Constitutional Law professor at the Haim Striks School of Law, College of Management – Academic Studies in Israel, a Visiting Professor in Israel Studies at UC Berkeley, and former CEO & Chairperson of the Movement for Freedom of Information in Israel.

The Histadrut – Not your typical worker’s Union

The Histadrut – Not your typical worker’s Union

 

Special episode for May 1st!

Israel’s worker's union, known as Histadrut Ha’Ovdim, was established by the socialist Zionists in 1920. Unlike worker unions abroad, its early days' mission was greater than just worrying about worker’s rights. Its political power was greater than any other union and for many years it had many leverages to use when negotiating with the governments. Its role in the establishment of Israel was unlike any other workers union and has effects on Israel’s economical structure until today.

Along with my guest, we will tell the story of Israel’s most influential organization outside of the government and the IDF.

I am happy to have today with me Professor Udi Manor, of Haifa University. Professor Manor’s main area of interest is Political History of the Jewish people in Modern times. He published 12 books, 50 articles and is an acclaimed speaker

 

#Histadrut #Socialism #Israelworkers

Netanyahu's acts explained with Jeff Becker

*Disclaimer - Episode recorded prior to Netanyahu's acts around nominating Minister of Justuice.

On May 4^th the 28 days given to Benjamin Netanyahu to form a coalition will pass. Meanwhile the Political chaos grows, tension between Jews and Arabs escalates in Jerusalem and with Hamas in Gaza. What is happening?

Along with my friend Jeff Becker we will discuss these topics and try to guess what will happened.

Can Netanyahu form a coalition? with Jeff Becker

The 24^th Knesset began its work after the MK’s swore oath, on April 6. Prior, President Reuven Rivlin on Monday gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the first crack at forming a government but noted that he was doing so reluctantly, both because no party leader appeared to have enough support to succeed at cobbling together a ruling coalition and because he had “moral and ethical” reservations given that Netanyahu is on trial for corruption.

Netanyahu will now have 28 days to try to muster a coalition that can win majority support in the Knesset, but, given that he only has the backing of 52 out of 120 lawmakers, it will be a challenge.

Netanyahu was endorsed by his Likud party, with 30 seats, Shas, with 9; United Torah Judaism, 7; and Religious Zionism, 6.

Lapid was recommended as prime minister by 45 lawmakers (Yesh Atid 17, Blue and White 8, Yisrael Beytenu 7, Labor 7, Meretz 6), and Naftali Bennett by the seven members of his own Yamina party.

The three parties that made no recommendation account for the final 16 Knesset seats (New Hope 6, Joint List 6, and Ra’am 4).

Along with my friend Jeff Becker we will discuss what to expect in the upcoming days.

The Conductor. The story of Isaiah 'Si' Kenen

He wasn’t the most connected, and he wasn’t the most famous, but his commitment was the greatest - Isaiah Si Kenen was a passionate Zionist who changed the relationship and America’s commitment to the establishment to Israel.

Along with my friend Kobby Barda, who researched AIPAC and learned it’s history we will dive and discuss this person, who made an impact and it’s ongoing influence today.

Kobby Barda is a Ph.D. candidate at Haifa University and the author of “AIPAC’s Grassroots Path to Congress''.

If you wish to read Kobby’s research about Isaiah Kenen, President Eisenhower, and Aid to Israel During the Suez Crisis press the link - https://www.cambridge.org/engage/coe/article-details/5f6900135c1dab00193d210a

To purchase Kobby’s book AIPAC’s Grassroots Path to Congress: How Isaiah Kenen Built AIPAC to Be A Powerhouse use this link - https://www.amazon.com/AIPACs-Grassroots-Path-Congress-Powerhouse/dp/9659278853

Post-Election Special with Jeff Becker

The people of Israel spoke again.  But when will we know what they said? And whether what they said aligns with what they wanted? 

Along with my friend Jeff Becker, we will dive a little to give you the best perspective on who won, when we will have the final results, and what we should expect.

Join us for a temporary Aftermath, before we actually know the final count of votes, analyzing the winners and losers, and guessing what will happen.  

 

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The decline of the Israeli left and will the Ultra-Orthodox hurt Netanyahu with Jeff Becker

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Israelis' Distrust in State Institutions Is Turning Into an Existential Threat with Nadan Feldman

A year has passed since Covid-19 hit the world. Israel, relatively, was one of the states hurt the most, at least in the OECD. Even though it has one of the best medical services in the world, Israel has one of the highest rates of deaths per capita (with more than 5,569 people died up until February 21st). Is it the lack of strategy, rapid and random decision making, and changing restrictions, that made Israelis less and less tolerant to governmental guidelines, or is it the Political mess, lack of leadership, and the distrust in Prime Minister Netanyahu himself and his cabinet? One thing is sure - After 3 quarantines with poor results restraining the Virus, Israeli’s are less obedient and it seems that the political mess hurt the public’s trust.

Nadan Feldman is a Haaretz correspondent on Global Economy, a Ph.D. candidate in history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and he is here with me today to discuss this matter.

 

Haaretz subscribers can read Nadan’s article here.

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