Israel at a crossroads: War, elections, and the future of the US-Israel alliance

Israel stands at a critical juncture, heading into an election while engaged in its longest-ever war. Security concerns continue to dominate the electoral cycle, fundamentally reordering the political landscape following the October 7 attacks. This pivotal moment sees increased participation from hostage families and October 7 survivors entering politics, while Prime Minister Netanyahu aims to frame his war record as a success. The opposition, meanwhile, is pushing for a formal national inquiry into the events.

The podcast episode "Israel at a crossroads: War, elections, and the future of the US-Israel alliance" features Yisrael Klitsner, a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and former diaspora affairs advisor, discussing these strategic fault lines. Klitsner highlights how the October 7 attacks have profoundly reshaped Israeli politics, influencing everything from candidate emergence to campaign narratives.

A particularly urgent aspect of the discussion revolves around the deteriorating relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jews, especially American Jews. Klitsner criticizes actions by Israeli politicians, such as those by Itamar Ben-Gvir, which he argues damage ties with Jewish communities abroad. He relays a simple message from U.S. Jewish community leaders: "first, do no harm." Whether Israel's next government will heed this plea remains uncertain, making the upcoming election a crucial test for the alliance.

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first, do no harm