Israel After the Election: Policy Implications of a Crucial Vote

After Israelis vote on October 27, the key question will be whether any party can form a governing coalition—and, if so, whether such a coalition can last. Furthermore, what might Israel’s next government accomplish in its first one hundred days, both domestically and in the region? What could be the implications for the Iran war, Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon? And what would a new coalition—whether led by a reelected Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu or opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot—mean for the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship, American popular support for Israel, and Israel’s role in the Middle East?

To analyze the election results and their ramifications, The Washington Institute is pleased to announce a Policy Forum featuring Gili Cohen, David Makovsky, and Dennis Ross, moderated by Felicia Schwartz.

Gili Cohen is the diplomatic correspondent for Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, where she covers Israeli politics, foreign policy, and regional security. She was previously a military correspondent for Haaretz, where she reported on defense and security affairs.

David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and the director of its Project on Arab-Israel Relations. In 2013–14, he served as the State Department’s senior advisor to the special envoy for Middle East peace. He hosts the Decision Points podcast.

Dennis Ross is the counselor and Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and the author (with David Makovsky) of Be Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel’s Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny. He has served in multiple Democratic and Republican administrations, including as the president’s top Middle East peace negotiator.

Felicia Schwartz is a national security correspondent at MS NOW. She formerly served as diplomatic correspondent at Politico, covered U.S. foreign and defense policy for the Financial Times, and reported on the State Department, Israel, and the Palestinian territories for the Wall Street Journal.

The Policy Forum series is made possible through the generosity of the Winkler Lowy Foundation.