Balagan

The ultra-Orthodox Rabbinical institutions control almost every aspect of life in Israel and narrow all other denominations' actions. Over the years there are voices who challenge the Ultra-Orthodox and the Israeli politicians in this area. The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), the social justice arm of the Reform Movement in Israel is one of the strongest voices working to gain equality, religious freedom, and Pluralism.

Along with my guests - Rabbi Noa Sattath, director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) and Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Vice President of United Reform Judaism (URJ) for Israel and Reform Zionism & Executive Director of ARZA; we will review how things look like in Israel

 

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The official starting pistol fired its shot at 10 PM on February 4th, 2021, when the Likud Party’s list was submitted to the Central Election Committee.

39 parties in total submitted and will contest in the upcoming election with 14 main players with actual chances of being elected.  And today I’m joined by a dear friend - Nili Reichman, CEO & Founder of Humanizing - Public Identity Branding.

Nili is an experienced consultant in the fields of communication strategies, specializes in political campaigns and crisis management. In the past, she worked closely with both PM Netanyahu, Leader of New Hope Giedeon Sa’ar and chairman of Yesh Atid party MK Yair Lapid.

 

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39 parties registered for the upcoming legislative elections in Israel. 2 interesting stories lay on the edges - The split in the Arab parties, between Mansour Abas and RAAM party from the Joint List &  what happened between Yamina & the Ultra right Jewish parties, with a last-minute merger between Betzalel Smotrich’s “religious Zionism Alliance & Kahana’s successor Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otazma Yehudit who earlier that week merged with NOAM, the Anti-LGBTQ religious party, leaving Hagit Moshe & the Jewish Home out of the game.

 

Along with my friend Jeff Becker, we will dive into what happened behind the scenes.

You can listen to the Podcast on -

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In the past couple of years, there was great tension between the Israeli government and Israelis with many of our brothers in the US. A lot was shed over the Kotel compromise and the Conversion Law along with the close relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American President Donald Trump has brought tension to new heights.

But, under the carpet, and tremendous efforts are being made in Israel to strengthen the bond. Along with my guest today I will discuss where do we, Israelis, stand in our relationship with our American brothers and sisters, what we did wrong, and what is being done today from the Israeli side of the equation in order to narrow the growing gaps and make a shift in Israeli approach and policies in order to find a w path in order to bring a new horizon to the Israeli-American Jewry relations.

Shira Ruderman is a professional philanthropist and social activist. She serves as the Executive Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation, a private family foundation that invests in three primary areas of focus: strengthening the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community.

You are welcome to follow the Ruderman Foundation work using the following links - 

 

The Ruderman Family Foundation- Israel American Jewish Community Relations Facebook page

 

Shira Ruderman's Facebook page

 

The Ruderman Family Foundation website

 

 You can listen to the Podcast on -

Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/BalaganSpotify

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On December 27th Israel entered its 3rd lockdown after failing to contain CoVid-19. The number rose high even though more than 2.4  million people already received the 1st shot. In the past week, the government decided to extend the lockdown for 2 more weeks and may extend it again.

Some critics said the lockdown was due to PM Netanyahu’s trials. The hearing, dated January 8th was postponed and the opposition says that is the main reason for the lockdown timing.

BUT, another reason for this lockdown is Netanyahu’s coalition allies. Looking at the numbers show that the “Hardeim” are leading with the number of active cases with almost 40% of the total population.

The police are hardly enforcing the rules among the Ultra-Orthodox communities and bringing tension to new heights. Why is that happening and how come none of the politicians say a word? 

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Most Israelis agree that Israel going to a 4th election term in 2 years proved the Israeli system of government is failing. Along with my guest Dr. Einat Wilf we will discuss where are we REALLY failing and what Israeli decision-makers really need to focus on.

Dr. Wilf is an author and a leading thinker on matters of foreign policy, economics, education, Israel, and Zionism. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010-2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Dr. Wilf is also the author of the book “It’s not the electoral system DUMMY!” explaining why Israel’s political problems lie somewhere else.

You can listen to the Podcast on -

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Once in a couple of years, a new kid comes to the playground of Israeli politics. That small party, which at many times nobody takes seriously, becomes the election's surprise and usually has the power to make an impact on shaping the new government. At most times that party also vanishes after a while - DASH in 1977, SHINUI between 1999-2003, GIL (HaGimlaim) between 2006-2009.

Those parties usually enjoy the support of many Left-wingers who are disappointed with the system and looking for something “New” & “Clean” without understanding the political game. 

In the upcoming election, we have many new players but only one is based on the Balfour rallies - DEMOCRATIT. 

My guest today is Eran Etzion, Democracy and Public policy entrepreneur and a Candidate in Israel's newly established DEMOCRATIT party primaries.

Formerly a senior diplomat and strategist who served as Deputy Head of Israel's National Security Council, and Head of Policy Planning in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To learn more about DEMOCRATIT - https://www.democratit.org.il/

You can listen to the Podcast on -

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The 23rd Knesset officially dispersed as the clock struck midnight on Tuesday night, and the deadline to approve a 2020 budget expired, sending Israelis to the polls for the fourth time in less than two years. Elections were automatically called for 90 days from now, namely March 23, 2021.

The failure to pass a budget came just seven months after the swearing-in of the “unity government” between Likud and Blue and White. The two parties, which had fought each other bitterly in three indecisive elections, agreed to form a power-sharing government with a rotating premiership between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz in May.

What happened, and what should we expect? Kobi & Jeff explain.

Israel’s long term strong alliance is challenged not just by Israel’s relations with the Palestinians and the US reaction to Israel’s policies, but by other global players. In today’s episode, I will discuss China’s uprise as a global player and its impact on Israeli-American relations, and what we may see under President Biden's administration.

Dr. Ehud (Udi) Eiran, a senior lecturer and a US associate professor of International Relations at the University of Haifa in Israel and an active Board member at Mitvim – a leading Israeli thinktank. Dr. Eiran is also the author of 2 books & numerous academic articles.

To read more about Dr. Eiran – https://fsi.stanford.edu/people/ehud-eiran

To read more about Mitvim - https://mitvim.org.il/en/

In our 10^th episode, we discussed PM Netanyahu’s rise in the public sphere until his defeat to Ehud Barak on May 17^th, 1999. In this episode, I consulted with Mr. Eli Vered Hazan on the reasons for his loss and how he paved his way back into power. We were only able to cover 1999-2009, so stay tuned for a future episode.

 

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