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Contributor: If Israeli politics were rational, Arab parties would now be holding all the cards
The factions that oppose Benjamin Netanyahu could join with the Arab bloc and oust him. But they refuse.
Difficult negotiations lie ahead in Israel after Netanyahu's bloc lost its parliamentary majority
Israel's final election results confirmed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority and that weeks of difficult negotiations among very different parties, from ultra-Orthodox Jewish to secular to Arab-led, lie ahead.
The politics of war
Israel went to the polls last Tuesday and it is the turn of the United States next Tuesday. The differences in the two elections are self-evident. Compared with the US, which has favourable geography and does everything at scale, Israel is tiny and part of an unstable region. For its elections, it has adopted an almost pure form of proportional representation based on lists. This encourages multiple parties and can make it almost impossible to form a government, as we can now see. The US system is complex in its own way but discourages third parties. Yet for all the differences in size, geography, and political systems, the fates of the two countries are closely connected. Israel has come to depend on the US to sustain its military strength, and over the past few tumultuous years that dependence has created resentment in the United States. The Biden administration was punished for appearing to give Netanyahu a blank check after the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, and not holding Israel back as it employed ruthless tactics in Gaza. Because of the treatment of Palestinians, American views of Israel have grown progressively more negative over the past few years. Only a third now support the Israeli government. While on the left, this is largely because of how Israeli forces have operated in Gaza and, more recently, how the settler movement has behaved in the West Bank, for the American right the issue has been about how Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded Donald Trump to forget his wariness about more Middle Eastern wars and agree to a joint attack on Iran, which has gone badly wrong. The Palestine question was not a big issue for the two large Jewish blocs in last Tuesday’s election. Both supported a tough response to Hamas after October 2023 and neither accepts a two-state solution. It was, however, the threat posed by the ethno-nationalist policies of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, the two extreme members of Netanyahu’s coalition, and their tolerance, even encouragement, of settler violence, that brought out the Arab voters. (In principle this should strengthen their position though to turn into real power would require the ‘Change Bloc’ overcoming their opposition to involving Arab parties. The alternatives are a National Unity government, defection from the Change Bloc to Netanyahu, or deadlock and another round of elections in the new year.) There was also broad support for the war against Iran among the Jewish parties. The difficulty here is that the objectives behind the war have yet to be met, and that continuing with military operations depends on the United States. In this way the two elections have come together at a crucial moment. If Netanyahu hoped that a victory over Iran would help him retain his majority, cementing his legacy as an Israeli war leader, it did not work out that way. Trump also expected a great victory about which he could boast. He promised at most the end of a hateful and aggressive regime, with a record of hostility to both the United States and Israel, or at least the elimination of Iran’s military capabilities and the end of its nuclear programme. Eight months on, there is not much to boast about; vital objectives remain elusive: the Iranian regime is even more hardline than before; the international economy is barely coping with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; and Saudi Arabia is struggling with an unwanted conflict with the Yemeni Houthis. For all these reasons, the Iran War has been a dark cloud hanging over both elections. Yet the issue has been approached in different ways. Netanyahu sought to push the issue before the election while Trump has been more cautious. Trump’s essential claim is that there is nothing to worry about and he’s still working out what final steps need to be taken to provide a definitive conclusion to the conflict. Netanyahu’s final pitch was that there was lots to worry about. He focused on Israel’s dire security situation, with the Iran War unfinished and the prospect of imminent economic isolation because of international sanctions. For him it is imperative to defeat Iran decisively, and without delay. Why this different response to the same war? Part of the answer lies in how public opinion in the two countries responded to the war. In this post, I show how this came about. We await the outcome of the US midterms but know the result, at least in terms of the share of the vote if not yet the shape of the new government, of the Israeli election. With the elections out of the way Netanyahu is pressing for another round in the war. Trump is less sure. I conclude with thoughts on the importance of how he decides.
Netanyahu alleges stolen election as he seeks political survival amid uncertainty
Accusations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tuesday’s election was “stolen by Arab parties,” and an official investigation into the matter, have cast a shadow over the vote.
4 takeaways from Israel's inconclusive election
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is down but not out.
Netanyahu and top rival face postelection choices that could redefine Israeli politics
Israelis are deep in political uncertainty as they await final election results. There's a possibility of Jewish and Arab parties forming a coalition to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Final
Netanyahu and top rival face postelection choices that could redefine Israeli politics
Israelis are deep in political uncertainty as they await final election results. There's a possibility of Jewish and Arab parties forming a coalition to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Final
Netanyahu and top rival face postelection choices that could redefine Israeli politics
Israelis are deep in political uncertainty as they await final election results. There's a possibility of Jewish and Arab parties forming a coalition to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Final
How Can You Win an Election and Still Lose Power? Israel’s Coalition Politics Explained
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party appears to […]
Netanyahu, Eisenkot stake rival claims to lead Israel after deadlocked vote
By Maayan Lubell, Lili Bayer and Tamar Uriel-Beeri JERUSALEM, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot offered competing claims to lead Israel after Tuesday's elect...
Benjamin Netanyahu battles for political survival
Israelis will vote in the country’s first nationwide election since the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023.
'Yes Bibi or No Bibi': Netanyahu's political future overshadows Israel's election
Israel's upcoming legislative election could reshape the country's political future amid deep divisions over Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. Former government spokesperson Eylon Levy tells Euronews w...
'Yes Bibi or No Bibi': Netanyahu's political future overshadows voting
Israel's upcoming legislative election could reshape the country's political future amid deep divisions over Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. Former government spokesperson Eylon Levy tells Euronews what is at stake and why another war with Iran may be imminent.
Israel heads to the polls as Netanyahu faces political reckoning
Israelis are preparing to vote on Tuesday in their first general election since the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subequent war in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...
Iranians pin hopes for political change on Netanyahu's election win
Iranians are looking to Israel's election as a potential turning point in their country's political future, with supporters of Benjamin Netanyahu hoping his victory will bring renewed pressure on the Islamic Republic.
Netanyahu might be finished but his policies toward the Palestinians will largely endure
JALUD, West Bank (AP) — Israel's elections Tuesday could mark the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's decades-long political career.But his legacy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank — of massiv...
Can Netanyahu win again? The secret to his political survival – and why it may finally fail him
Despite Oct. 7 and years of political turmoil, Benjamin Netanyahu remains competitive in the Israeli election
In their own words: Israeli politicians' extreme speech surges ahead of elections
Hate speech in Israel has surged under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government
In their own words: Israeli politicians' extreme speech surges ahead of elections
LUBBAN AL-SHARQIYA, West Bank (AP) — Extreme speech has surged under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's far-right government and can be heard at the highest levels ahead of Israel's Oct. 27 elections.
Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu’s reelection bid, breaking with Trump
Vice President JD Vance on Monday declined to say whether he endorses Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, after President Donald Trump recently threw his support behind the Israeli prime minister.
JD Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu for reelection, says he's focusing on midterms
Vice President JD Vance declined Monday to endorse Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection a day after President Donald Trump endorsed the embattled Israeli leader.“The president has the m...
Israel prepares for a high-stakes election
Israel holds an election on October 27th, electing members of the Knesset, their parliament. And this election will decide the future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.It is the first vote since Hamas-led attacks of October 7th, 2023 and the Gaza war. And a major question shaping the elections is whether the prime minister should be held responsible for the Hamas attacks. We go to Israel, to hear how Israelis are thinking about this election.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Trump endorses embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection
Israelis are set to vote Oct. 27, in the first national elections since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Trump endorses embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection
President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late in his reelection campaign.
Trump endorses embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection
President Donald Trump has endorsed embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for late in his reelection campaign. It's coveted boost because of Trump’s popularity. But it's also an endorsement that
US pushed Israel to attack Iran alone in effort to avoid political fallout before midterms
According to the report, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position on the matter remains unclear, with his schedule described as "very security-focused."
How has Oct. 7 reshaped Israeli politics?
The Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas has forced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fight for political survival ahead of elections later this month.
Kathy Hochul doesn't have a political home in NY: Erin Maguire
Former Trump 2020 press director Erin Maguire reacts to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's warning over the Islamist Marxist alliance, Hasan Piker's political influence and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Israeli Politicians Trade Barbs Over FlyDubai Attack
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s campaign for a coming election was already dominated by discussion of the policy, military and intelligence failures leading up to the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
How Israel’s regional neighbors see its upcoming elections
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc is squaring off against that of his main opponent, centrist Gadi Eisenkot.
Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon detained while protesting Netanyahu in NYC
Actors Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were detained by police on Sept. 24 during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hannah Einbinder, Susan Sarandon arrested in protest against Netanyahu
Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were arrested after protesting the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations in New York City. Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, Indya Moore, Mary Beth Barone, Caleb Hearon and Sarah Sherman were also at the demonstration.
At least 30 arrested, including actors, politicians during anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN
Police arrested at least 30 people, including actors and politicians, during a protest outside the United Nations headquarters on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hours before he addressed the UN General Assembly.
Police arrest actors, politicians protesting against Netanyahu outside UN
Police arrested at least 30 people including actors and politicians as they protested outside United Nations headquarters on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his speech at the General Assembly.
Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver defiant UN speech while facing protests and political isolation
Prime minister will ‘highlight Israel’s achievements’ as he heads towards his toughest re-election challenge
No. 2: Benjamin Netanyahu: Shaping Israel’s politics and global image for a generation
Netanyahu has become more than Israel’s prime minister for many. Abroad, for instance, he has become Israel’s symbol and the lightning rod for much of the hatred directed against the Jewish state.
Netanyahu will make a quick trip to speak at the UN after Mamdani urged his arrest, diplomat says
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a whirlwind 24-hour trip to speak at the U.N.’s annual gathering of world leaders this month after New York’s mayor urged his arrest over the war in Gaza, That's according to Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon on Tuesday | WWJ Newsradio 950
Netanyahu will make a quick trip to speak at the UN after Mamdani urged his arrest, diplomat says
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a whirlwind 24-hour trip to speak at the U.N.’s annual gathering of world leaders this month after New York’s mayor urged his arrest over the war in Gaza, That's according to Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon on Tuesday | K-DAWN
Netanyahu's main rival accuses him of putting politics over security
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, accused him Monday of prioritizing his political survival over Israel’s...
As election looms, Netanyahu turns his focus to his divided base
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks reelection, his main concern these days isn’t his political rivals. It’s some of his biggest supporters.
With his eye on reelection, Israel's Netanyahu turns his focus to his divided base
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks reelection, his main concern these days isn’t his political rivals | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
Donald Trump to deliver tribute during Lindsey Graham’s funeral service
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are scheduled to meet with the US president after attending Tuesday’s funeral
Netanyahu accuses Mamdani of 'fomenting hate' and calls ICC war-crimes charges 'bogus'
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu says New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is “fomenting hate” by calling the prime minister a war criminal who should be arrested if he visits the city.
Netanyahu accuses Mamdani of 'fomenting hate' and calls ICC war-crimes charges 'bogus'
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu says New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is “fomenting hate” by calling the prime minister a war criminal who should be arrested if he visits the city.
In Israel, a strong challenger for political change
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing a major political test this fall. After three years of war and growing public frustration, a former military chief is emerging as an unlikely challenger, offering voters a different vision for the country’s leadership. We look at how an outsider with deep security credentials is tapping into a desire for change — and what his rise could mean for Netanyahu’s political future.
In new video, Mamdani acknowledges he doesn’t have authority to arrest Netanyahu
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a new video Tuesday that he does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to come to New York City.
Mamdani says he’s still looking into arresting Netanyahu if Israeli leader visits New York
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his office is still looking into arresting Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Mamdani says NYC is exploring whether it can arrest Netanyahu if Israeli leader visits for UN General Assembly
Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration is exploring whether New York City can arrest Benjamin Netanyahu over the ICC warrant during United Nations General Assembly.
Sports without politics is a fantasy and the World Cup proves it
From ancient Greece to Nazi Germany, sport and politics have long been intertwined. Nevertheless, we still imagine that international sport can be kept above the fray and serve as a neutral arena where nations compete on merit alone. In this article, diplomacy scholar Geoffrey Allen Pigman argues the 2026 FIFA World Cup shows this is a dangerous illusion. When international sport is left entirely to revenue-maximizing private bodies like FIFA, it doesn't escape politics, but rather surrenders to its worst expressions. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics fast approaching, the IOC must decide whether to learn that lesson or repeat the same mistakes. The largest and most lucrative FIFA World Cup ever draws toward its climactic conclusion amidst a swirl of controversy. Team members, staff, fans, and spectators have been denied their right to enter the United States to participate, and US President Donald Trump intervened with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to overturn a referee’s call that Trump believed disadvantaged the US national team. It is a moment to step back and reflect on what the purposes of international sport mega-events like the World Cup, and international sport more broadly, are, and what they should be. Does international sport serve public purposes? Is there a public interest? Or is it primarily a private endeavor organized by commercial enterprises to entertain the global public (and generate profit in the process), which is occasionally used by governments and leaders for raisons d’etat? Central to the idea of sport is the principle of fair play, which in the international context demands that games be free from political interference. However, it is impossible to separate sport from politics, all claims to the contrary notwithstanding. The most positive political use of international sport through the millennia has been to facilitate diplomacy. The use of international sport for diplomatic objectives has existed since at least the time of the ancient Olympic Games, around which was instituted the custom of the Ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce, between participating states to facilitate fair competition and diplomatic achievements by ensuring that participants could travel safely to the Olympiad. In his seminal work On Diplomacy (1987), diplomacy scholar James Der Derian characterized the objectives of diplomacy as overcoming alienation and mediating estrangement between governments and between peoples. One increasingly important diplomatic tool in the technology-infused media environment over the past century has been public diplomacy, under which governments and non-state diplomatic actors (e.g. transnational corporations) communicate to global publics about their international policy objectives and to shape their global brand image. Political scientist Michał Kobierecki, in his important book Sports Diplomacy (2020), views sports diplomacy as falling broadly within the ambit of public diplomacy, as international sport intimately involves the participation of global publics as spectators and consumers of global media. Diplomacy scholar Stuart Murray and this author, in a 2013 article, distinguish between international sport used for diplomatic purposes and international sport-as-diplomacy, which encompasses the range of diplomacy that occurs as teams and competitors, spectators and fans, and government officials all converge for international sporting events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. Diplomacy scholar H.E. Chehabi, in a 2001 article on US-Iran sports diplomacy, describes the interaction between spectators and fans at international sporting events as “people-to-people diplomacy,” in which relationships develop independently of governments and their objectives. Diplomacy by the aforementioned definitions is often unsuccessful. Moreover, all too often the tools of diplomacy may be employed by governments and other actors to thwart or oppose the objectives of diplomacy as characterized by Der Derian. Governments routinely use the tools of public diplomacy to disseminate propaganda, spreading misinformation in the attempt to deceive global publics about their objectives and to create misleading impressions about their brand identity. Within sports diplomacy, the term “sportswashing” has been coined recently to describe how governments invest in and promote international sport to create positive global public impressions of their nations and, in doing so, to distract the global public from their deficient records in areas such as human rights and democratic governance. Murray, in his 2018 book Sports Diplomacy: Origins, Theory and Practice, introduces the concept of sports anti-diplomacy, wherein governments intentionally use international sport to advance aggressive and nationalistic objectives. Obvious historical examples include Hitler’s use of the 1936 Berlin Olympics to glorify his Third Reich and the 1969 El Salvador-Honduras football “war.” SUGGESTED READING The beautiful game made ugly By Emily Ryall FIFA argues that it is and seeks to be apolitical in its stewardship of international Association Football (soccer). FIFA policies governing bids to host the World Cup require uninhibited and non-discriminatory access for players, team staff, and spectators of all participating countries to host nations and venues. It became clear soon after Trump returned to power in the United States in January 2025 that Trump’s political intentions and objectives to limit non-US citizens from living and working in the United States and, in numerous cases, even visiting the country, would collide with FIFA’s host nation policies. Beginning soon after the start of the second Trump administration, US federal authorities imposed restrictions on entry to the United States of citizens of between 20 and 40 countries for any purpose, with only limited exceptions. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began arresting non-US citizens in the United States, including persons with and without legal status, holding them in jails, concentration camps, and other detention facilities until they were deported to their home or third countries, where they faced substantive risks to their personal safety. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, in an effort to ensure the most successful and lucrative World Cup in history, engaged diplomatically with President Trump in an attempt to facilitate entry to the US for World Cup participants. Infantino did all in his power to ingratiate himself with Trump, to the extent of creating a FIFA “Peace Prize,” which he awarded to Trump in December 2025 at a ceremony in the then Trump-controlled John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the World Cup draw. The prize was an ersatz consolation for someone who aspired in vain to win the rather more prestigious and well-known Nobel Peace Prize. And in the run-up to the World Cup, conditions became worse. In February 2026, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a war of aggression against Iran, illegal under international law, under the false pretence that Iran’s government was preparing to attack the United States and Israel. During the US aerial bombardment of Iran, US planes bombed Azadi Stadium, the facility where Iran’s national football team trained. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup began, it was clear that Infantino’s efforts had been for naught: the Trump administration would not adhere to FIFA policies governing access to World Cup host nations. World Cup referee Omar Artan, a citizen of Somalia, was denied a US visa to enter the United States to participate in the World Cup. Trump’s government only granted US visas to Iran’s football team ten days before they were scheduled to arrive for the tournament. Numerous members of the support staff for Iran’s team were denied US visas. Iran’s team, which had been scheduled to train in Arizona, was directed to shift its training site to Tijuana, Mexico, notwithstanding that all three of their group stage matches took place at US venues. The US Department of Homeland Security only permitted the Iranian team to enter the US on the day before each scheduled match and then to return to Mexico immediately after playing. Members of Iraq’s and Switzerland’s football teams were delayed for hours by US officials at the US border, and an Iraqi team photographer was refused entry. Spectators and fans from Haïti and Iran were denied entry to the United States altogether. A large number of fans from a range of countries had their applications for US visas rejected. There were multiple off-ramps through which participants could have avoided the negative consequences of Trump’s decisions for the 2026 World Cup. Once it was clear that the Trump government intended to violate the established expectations for World Cup hosts, FIFA could have shifted the matches scheduled to take place in the United States to Mexico and Canada. The three nations were already designated as co-hosts, and host cities and venues had been selected. Once it was clear that FIFA, governed by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s dependent and dysfunctional relationship with Trump, would never consider this option on its own, it fell to the national football federations to act. The national federations, particularly some combination of federations of the leading contenders (France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, England, Germany, etc.), could have refused to participate under the US-imposed conditions or, at the least, demanded an ironclad agreement with the Trump government that FIFA policies on access would be respected. ___ International sport is inextricably entangled with diplomacy of different sorts, for good or ill, it cannot be considered to be in the purely private realm and left to revenue-maximizing private actors. ___ Why did neither FIFA nor the national football federations act to protect the interests of players, team staff, referees, fans, and spectators? In essence, the relentless engines of capitalism prevailed over norm observance, ethics, and fair play. The revenue interests of FIFA, sponsors, global media, and host cities won out. FIFA’s managers viewed hosting another World Cup principally in the United States as a veritable pot of gold for FIFA and its collaborators. FIFA has estimated its own revenue over the 2023-26 budget cycle, which includes the 2026 World Cup, at $13 billion, revised up from an initial projection of $11 billion, and 72% higher than the previous revenue cycle. Of that total, FIFA is estimated to have generated $8.9 billion from the Cup itself in revenue from TV rights ($3.92 billion), sponsorships ($2.69 billion), ticket sales ($3.1 billion), licensing rights, and other sources. A joint study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimates that the World Cup will contribute over $40 billion to global GDP, including nearly $14 billion in direct visitor spending in the three host countries (but principally in the United States, which hosted the lion’s share of the matches). The FIFA World Cup is now reportedly “the single most lucrative recurring commercial property in global sport.” And yet, notwithstanding the Trump government’s uses of the World Cup for sports anti-diplomacy, and the climate of anxiety that this created for participants and spectators, diplomacy that did not depend upon governments was able to thrive at the World Cup. Examples of successful people-to-people diplomacy were legion, as citizens of towns and cities across the States, as well as in Mexico and Canada, welcomed team members, their families and supporters, to training sites across North America. Fans of different teams joined together in person in stadiums for matches, at watch parties and bars, and at welcome events sponsored by host cities. The joy and camaraderie shared between the citizenry of Boston and Scotland’s “Tartan Army” of fans is but one example of how the “Beautiful Game” brings people together. Friendships forged across continents are likely to endure well beyond the Cup final. Even those achievements cannot be seen as unalloyed, however. As South African football fan Byron Pillay commented to Al Jazeera, “Football is called the Beautiful Game for a reason, for its ability to unite people. But it’s hard to believe in that magic with the politics and war rhetoric off the field of play, especially when one of the tournament hosts is central to that.” Ultimately, the experience of the 2026 FIFA World Cup illustrates that, as international sport is inextricably entangled with diplomacy of different sorts, for good or ill, it cannot be considered to be in the purely private realm and left to revenue-maximizing private actors. As long as there is the possibility of diplomatic progress in mediating estrangement between governments or between peoples, there is a broad and overarching public interest in international sport. Likewise, as it would be difficult to put on an international sport mega-event without international sporting organizations like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), global media firms, and companies purchasing sponsorships, public and private interests in international sport must coexist, most likely somewhere on a shifting spectrum between partnership and rivalry or cross purposes. As the World Cup wraps up, the IOC needs to consider its lessons before the scheduled 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if they want to avoid a media-hyped Trump version of the 1936 Berlin Olympiad. The IOC and the National Olympic Committees need to set conditions on and make demands of Trump’s government with clearly articulated consequences for non-compliance, up to and including cancellation of the Games. Time is running out for the IOC, as unlike with the FIFA World Cup, there is no at-the-ready alternate venue for Los Angeles.
More than half of House Democrats vote to cut Israel aid in growing split
It stands as a stark accounting of the shifting attitudes dividing the Democratic Party over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war strategy
Ex-General Who Lost Son in Gaza War Emerges as Netanyahu’s Main Rival
Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of Israel’s armed forces, has emerged as the main challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections that could end the premiership of the country’s longest-serving leader.
Rahm Emanuel to denounce Netanyahu during Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
According to remarks obtained by The Associated Press, Emanuel on Wednesday will criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for leading Israel to a "dead end" and say unconditional U.S. support has been a mistake.
Rahm Emanuel to deliver bracing message in Tel Aviv as American politics shifting against Israel
Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a bracing message that the country's relationship with the United States is "at a crossroads."
Rahm Emanuel will assail Netanyahu in Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a bracing message that the country’s relationship with the United…
Rahm Emanuel will assail Netanyahu in Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a br…
Rahm Emanuel will assail Netanyahu in Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a bracing message that the country's relationship with the United States is “at a crossroads.”
Could Israel’s coming election see an end to Netanyahu’s political career?
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting political, legal and US pressure ahead of crucial elections.
Sen. Cory Booker says people should be ‘very worried’ about Trump and Israel upending peace in the Middle East
The New Jersey Democrat criticized President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling them both “criminal” leaders.
Watch Netanyahu Pays a Political Price for Trump’s Iran Deal
Benjamin Netanyahu has spent years cultivating one of the most important relationships in global politics. Now, that relationship with Donald Trump may be becoming a liability, explains Dan Williams.
Israeli opposition leader Lapid says Trump’s emerging deal with Iran is 'bad for the region'
The deal being discussed between the U.S. and Iran fails to achieve any of Israel’s goals for the war, Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Monday, as he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence a better agreement.
Jewish Democrats grapple with a changing party and Israel’s entrenched leadership
Speakers at a conference blame Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for alienating Democrats and say there’s room to criticize his government without turning on the nation.
Israel Politics
FILE - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, April 21, 2026. (Ilia Yefimovich/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Benjamin Netanyahu’s rivals unite to take him down
An unlikely alliance has formed in the hopes of crowding out Israel's longest-serving prime minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s biggest rivals merge Israeli political parties
Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid combine forces ahead of this year’s election
Two former Israeli prime ministers join forces against Netanyahu
Two Israeli political heavyweights say they plan to join forces in upcoming elections in a united effort by their parties to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
With Iran War on Pause, Political Battle Resumes Over Israeli Democracy
A court fight over Itamar Ben-Gvir, an extremist who oversees the police, pits the attorney general against Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government.
Despite Israeli firepower, Netanyahu struggles for political gains in Iran war
The Iran war was meant to deliver a defining victory over Tehran that would secure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's place in history. More than six weeks into the conflict, he has been unable to translate military might into political gain.
Newsom says he regrets earlier comments likening Israel to an ‘apartheid state’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that he regretted using the word “apartheid” to describe the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians, though he warned “that’s a word you may hear others use” if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for territorial gains.
Trump’s Reaction to Israeli Strike on Gas Field Exposes Divergent Strategies
President Trump said he complained to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel about the attack, which sent energy markets reeling. But Israeli officials said the Americans were informed beforehand.
Rubio plans to update Netanyahu on US-Iran talks in Israel next week, officials say
Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to travel to Israel next week to update Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks
Trump wants a deal with Iran, but could military strikes be coming? : The NPR Politics Podcast
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump this week to discuss the United States’ ongoing talks with Iran over that country’s military capabilities. We discuss what each side wants and possible next steps, plus the latest in the efforts for peace in Gaza.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national security correspondent Greg Myre.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Live updates: Trump to meet with Netanyahu to discuss Iran relations as uproar grows over Epstein files
President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. Meanwhile, Congress faces a looming DHS funding deadline. Follow for live updates.
Live updates: Pam Bondi expected to face questions about Epstein files at House hearing
Get live updates and the latest news as Pam Bondi faces questions from Congress about the Epstein files and Trump meets with Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran's nuclear program.
Takeaways from Trump and Netanyahu’s meeting in Florida
President Donald Trump’s Monday meeting in Florida at Mar-a-Lago with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu generated plenty of warm words — but no clear progress in their peace plan for Gaza.
Trump says pardon for Netanyahu is 'on its way,' but Herzog denies claim
President Trump said Israeli President Isaac Herzog informed him that he plans to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu amid a long-running corruption trial.
Politics chat: Trump meets Zelenskyy; American heritage creates GOP rift
President Trump is meeting with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy today and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow.
Netanyahu's unusual pardon request sets up political test
Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon to "promote reconciliation" in Israel has sparked huge debate, as the prime minister's long-running corruption trial continues to divide Israeli society.