Whose Side Are You On? Qatargate, Israel and the Politics of Influence | Politica Israel

With less than 10 days until Israel’s election, Sharon and Yuval explain why Israeli polling is so hard to read and why the biggest party doesn’t automatically form the government.

Two weeks out, Netanyahu’s coalition and the opposition are more or less tied, and neither has a path to 61 seats without the Arab parties. Turnout, small parties and vote-sharing deals could decide it. Or Israel could be heading back to the polls. 🎧 Follow Politica Israel podast for weekly updates on Israel’s 2026 election.

For more than three decades, Benjamin Netanyahu has been the face of Israel to Jews and governments around the world. With Israel voting on 27 October, Episode 13 of Politica looks at how he built and kept power: his corruption trial, the political culture known as "Bibism," his record after 7 October, and his strained relationship with the diaspora. Will Israel crown him King Bibi?

Ahead of Israel's election, neither of Israel's political blocs can reach a majority without the Arab vote. Sharon and Yuval discuss how Mansour Abbas, Ra'am, and the coalition math is shaping Israel's election, from the October 7th story of Osama Abu Asha to the organised crime crisis driving Arab voters' priorities. On 27 October, will the Arabs become Israel's government sheikh-makers?

Forget left vs right. Israeli voters are political tribes and keep producing more parties than anyone can keep track of. Are stalwart Likud voters moving away and if so, who will they replace King Bibi with? Sharon Offenberger and Yuval Regev break down the identities really deciding this election and look at Jewish history as a reminder of what happens when the people are divided. Politica - Israeli politics explained at a diaspora volume. Watch at https://youtu.be/TbmHTDp3oLo