Host Simon Spungin is joined by Haaretz's Amira Hass to discuss the recent demonstrations in the Palestinian territories and the Palestinian Authority's violent repression of those protests. We ask: What role does the Israeli occupation play in Mahmoud Abbas' ability to crush dissent? How is the Palestinian national struggle also a struggle for democracy? And why are Palestinian security forces targeting women?

Host Simon Spungin is joined by Haaretz's <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/WRITER-1.4968114">Amira Hass</a> to discuss the<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-confident-of-support-from-the-west-the-pa-suppresses-protests-violently-1.9946744"> recent demonstrations</a> in the Palestinian territories and the Palestinian Authority's <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-death-of-an-abbas-opponent-in-palestinian-detention-stokes-revulsion-toward-his-rule-1.9941098">violent repression</a> of those protests. We ask: What role does the Israeli occupation play in Mahmoud Abbas' ability to crush dissent? How is the Palestinian national struggle also a struggle for democracy? And why are Palestinian security forces <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-as-palestinians-protest-death-of-an-abbas-opponent-women-are-assaulted-in-response-1.9966244">targeting women</a>?

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Your audio guide to Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

Haaretz Podcast

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer. 

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

How Israel, Fatah and the PA join forces to silence Palestinian protest: LISTEN to Amira Hass

Nothing is helping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current coalition boost its standing in the polls, and it is clear that the premier is “panicking,” said Haaretz columnist Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, speaking on the Haaretz Election Podcast. 

Scheindlin joins Haaretz correspondent Judy Maltz and host Allison Kaplan Sommer to discuss the entrance of a new right-wing party led by ex-general Ofer Winter into the race, joining the plethora of “pop-up” right-wing parties that are causing Netanyahu’s alarm at the possibility that one or more will fall under the electoral threshold, and the precious votes in his camp will be wasted.

"Netanyahu is begging the right wing not to fragment the parties. He's warning the right wing: If you do the wrong thing, the entire world explodes," Scheindlin said, ahead of the September 8 deadline for merging with other parties and submitting final lists.

On the podcast, Maltz shares what she’s found as she visits cities and towns around Israel taking the pulse of voters. Kiryat Shmona – Israel’s most targeted city, devastated by three years of war – is still grappling with the 2023 evacuation that is proving to be somewhat permanent, Maltz says. “People are pretty angry and often talk about themselves being abandoned, unseen and forgotten.”

Still, like the Likud strongholds along the Gaza border that she has visited, Maltz found many clinging to party loyalties despite their disappointment with Netanyahu and his government. Some favor non-Netanyahu right-wingers, but others remain loyal to the prime minister despite the devastating events that happened on his watch. 

"Many of them subscribe to these conspiracy theories about the army in cahoots with Hamas together orchestrating October 7 to make Netanyahu look bad," Maltz explained.

Read more: 

Ex-IDF General and Far-right Hardliner Ofer Winter Reveals New Party Ahead of Israel's Election

Analysis by Dahlia Scheindlin | Two Months Out, Netanyahu's Bloc Is Stuck in Polls. But All the Rest Is a Mystery

By Smashing a Palestinian Monument, an Israeli Far-right Lawmaker Brought West Bank Reality to Light

Reality Check: As the Election Nears, Haaretz Debunks Israeli Politicians' Biggest Lies

'Israel on Steroids': Arad Foreshadows What Another Netanyahu Victory Might Look Like

'People Here Like Ben-Gvir's Tough-guy Approach': Will This Netanyahu Stronghold Near Gaza Go Further Right?

Nothing is helping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s current coalition boost its standing in the polls, and it is clear that the premier is &ldquo;panicking,&rdquo; said Haaretz columnist Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, speaking on the Haaretz Election Podcast.&nbsp;
Scheindlin joins Haaretz correspondent Judy Maltz and host Allison Kaplan Sommer to discuss the entrance of a new right-wing party led by ex-general Ofer Winter into the race, joining the plethora of &ldquo;pop-up&rdquo; right-wing parties that are causing Netanyahu&rsquo;s alarm at the possibility that one or more will fall under the electoral threshold, and the precious votes in his camp will be wasted.
"Netanyahu is begging the right wing not to fragment the parties. He's warning the right wing: If you do the wrong thing, the entire world explodes," Scheindlin said, ahead of the September 8 deadline for merging with other parties and submitting final lists.
On the podcast, Maltz shares what she&rsquo;s found as she visits cities and towns around Israel taking the pulse of voters. Kiryat Shmona &ndash; Israel&rsquo;s most targeted city, devastated by three years of war &ndash; is still grappling with the 2023 evacuation that is proving to be somewhat permanent, Maltz says. &ldquo;People are pretty angry and often talk about themselves being abandoned, unseen and forgotten.&rdquo;
Still, like the Likud strongholds along the Gaza border that she has visited, Maltz found many clinging to party loyalties despite their disappointment with Netanyahu and his government. Some favor non-Netanyahu right-wingers, but others remain loyal to the prime minister despite the devastating events that happened on his watch.&nbsp;
"Many of them subscribe to these conspiracy theories about the army in cahoots with Hamas together orchestrating October 7 to make Netanyahu look bad," Maltz explained.
Read more: 
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-25/ty-article/.premium/far-right-ex-idf-general-ofer-winter-reveals-new-party-ahead-of-israeli-election/000001a0-3933-d02f-a9ed-7d7b7c3d0000">Ex-IDF General and Far-right Hardliner Ofer Winter Reveals New Party Ahead of Israel's Election</a>
Analysis by Dahlia Scheindlin | <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-28/ty-article-magazine/.premium/two-months-out-netanyahus-bloc-is-stuck-in-polls-but-the-rest-is-a-mystery/000001a0-4426-d2c8-a3ad-5db6741a0000">Two Months Out, Netanyahu's Bloc Is Stuck in Polls. But All the Rest Is a Mystery</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-08-26/ty-article/.premium/by-smashing-a-palestinian-monument-tzvi-succot-exposed-the-west-banks-reality/000001a0-3ced-d542-abbe-fdfdd4df0000">By Smashing a Palestinian Monument, an Israeli Far-right Lawmaker Brought West Bank Reality to Light</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-15/ty-article-static/.premium/reality-check-as-the-election-nears-haaretz-debunks-israeli-politicians-biggest-lies/0000019f-a8c0-d798-a3bf-bafea2290000">Reality Check:&nbsp;As the Election Nears, Haaretz Debunks Israeli Politicians' Biggest Lies</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-16/ty-article-magazine/.premium/this-likud-led-southern-town-is-like-israel-on-steroids/0000019f-f63a-d101-a5bf-ff3a27070000">'Israel on Steroids': Arad Foreshadows What Another Netanyahu Victory Might Look Like</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-07-22/ty-article-magazine/.premium/a-netanyahu-stronghold-near-gaza-was-ravaged-on-oct-7-will-it-go-further-right/0000019f-7984-dec7-afff-79ed7f7e0000">'People Here Like Ben-Gvir's Tough-guy Approach': Will This Netanyahu Stronghold Near Gaza Go Further Right?</a>

Do Israelis care about settler violence enough to change their vote?

Israel's controversial strike on an airbase in northern Syria close to Turkey was "first and foremost a message to the United States" that Turkish military penetration deeper into Syrian territory "can be turned into a real and total war," and any U.S. policy that tolerates it is "not sustainable," according to Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast.

The attack has been criticized as an election ploy by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Yanarocak said such considerations may have played a role in its timing, he stressed that Turkey's ambitions in post-Assad Syria are a legitimate source of deep concern for Israel. Israel's military establishment sees them as a substantial threat and pushed for the attack after Turkey ignored warnings.

The past three years of war have shifted the balance of power in Turkey's favor with the weakening of both Iran and the Gulf states, he explained in a conversation with podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer. He discussed the bold ambitions of the country led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the key role Syria plays in them.

"The public discourse in Turkey is neo-Ottomanism," Yanarocak said. "Putting it more familiar to the American ears: 'Make Turkey Great Again' … Turkey is thinking very big."

Read more:

From Iran to Turkey, Netanyahu Is on the Hunt for New Fronts to Ignite

Netanyahu Warns Turkey's Erdogan Against Military Expansion in Syria, but Hopes a Warning Is Enough

Attacking Erdogan or Clinging to the Status Quo? Israel's Turkey Paradox

Israel's controversial strike on an airbase in northern Syria close to Turkey was "first and foremost a message to the United States" that Turkish military penetration deeper into Syrian territory "can be turned into a real and total war," and any U.S. policy that tolerates it is "not sustainable," according to Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast.
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-08-22/ty-article/.premium/israel-says-it-warned-syria-before-striking-airbase-over-turkish-military-threat/000001a0-29bc-d129-a3ba-6bbe3d740000">The attack</a> has been criticized as an election ploy by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Yanarocak said <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-07-10/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-ignored-the-warnings-before-october-7-this-time-is-just-as-bad/0000019f-4887-dc56-adff-6ce7025e0000">such considerations</a> may have played a role in its timing, he stressed that Turkey's ambitions in post-Assad Syria are a legitimate source of deep concern for Israel. Israel's military establishment sees them as a substantial threat and pushed for the attack after Turkey ignored warnings.
The past three years of war have shifted the balance of power in Turkey's favor with the weakening of both Iran and the Gulf states, he explained in a conversation with podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer. He discussed the bold ambitions of the country led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the key role Syria plays in them.
"The public discourse in Turkey is neo-Ottomanism," Yanarocak said. "Putting it more familiar to the American ears: 'Make Turkey Great Again' &hellip; Turkey is thinking very big."
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-07-10/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-ignored-the-warnings-before-october-7-this-time-is-just-as-bad/0000019f-4887-dc56-adff-6ce7025e0000">From Iran to Turkey, Netanyahu Is on the Hunt for New Fronts to Ignite</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-08-19/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-hopes-warning-turkey-against-military-expansion-in-syria-is-enough/000001a0-1b9f-d129-a3ba-5bbf32910000">Netanyahu Warns Turkey's Erdogan Against Military Expansion in Syria, but Hopes a Warning Is Enough</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/2026-08-23/ty-article/.premium/attacking-erdogan-or-clinging-to-the-status-quo-israels-turkey-paradox/000001a0-2bf3-dd2f-a1b6-7bfb7a0e0000">Attacking Erdogan or Clinging to the Status Quo? Israel's Turkey Paradox</a>

Is Turkey the new Iran?

The glut of new small parties throwing their hats in the ring is increasing the chances that after the voters have their say, there will not be a decisive win either for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition nor the opposition parties determined to topple him. 

"All of these new little parties are headed by individuals who are placing their ego above the political outcome. They can't possibly join an existing party – they have to try to start their own," said Haaretz columnist Dahlia Scheindlin on the Haaretz Election Podcast.  

As a result, the voters may not end up determining who will be prime minister, and instead a “little gang” of “six, seven or eight male party leaders” will meet and decide the make-up of the coalition, Scheindlin said. 

Scheindlin joined fellow columnist Esther Solomon and host Allison Kaplan Sommer to discuss the results of the Likud primaries, opposition frontrunner Gadi Eisenkot’s declaration that there will be no Palestinian state on his watch, what appears to be a politicized decision by Israel’s internal security service not to officially protect Eisenkot, and how Netanyahu, stuck in the polls, appears to be dangerously “firing in all directions” in order to find a way to victory. 

"He has the capacity to aggravate, or provoke, or exploit any number of crises that are happening in this region,” Solomon said.

Little, however, Scheindlin pointed out, appears to be moving the needle for the prime minister. He has shown that "you can attack Iran and attack Iran again. You can bomb Lebanon. You can kill Hassan Nasrallah, and nothing has changed the polls."

Read more:

The U.S. Peace Plan Is Grave for Gaza and Great for Netanyahu

Netanyahu Rival Eisenkot Vows No Palestinian State: 'Not Now, Not in Next Government'

Reality Check: As the Election Nears, Haaretz Debunks Israeli Politicians' Biggest Lies

The Petty Politics Destroying Israel's Opposition

Likud's Casualty List: The Netanyahu Loyalists Headed Home After a Brutal Primary

The glut of new small parties throwing their hats in the ring is increasing the chances that after the voters have their say, there will not be a decisive win either for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s coalition nor the opposition parties determined to topple him.&nbsp;
"All of these new little parties are headed by individuals who are placing their ego above the political outcome. They can't possibly join an existing party &ndash; they have to try to start their own," said Haaretz columnist Dahlia Scheindlin on the Haaretz Election Podcast.&nbsp;&nbsp;
As a result, the voters may not end up determining who will be prime minister, and instead a &ldquo;little gang&rdquo; of &ldquo;six, seven or eight male party leaders&rdquo; will meet and decide the make-up of the coalition, Scheindlin said.&nbsp;
Scheindlin joined fellow columnist Esther Solomon and host Allison Kaplan Sommer to discuss the results of the Likud primaries, opposition frontrunner Gadi Eisenkot&rsquo;s declaration that there will be no Palestinian state on his watch, what appears to be a politicized decision by Israel&rsquo;s internal security service not to officially protect Eisenkot, and how Netanyahu, stuck in the polls, appears to be dangerously &ldquo;firing in all directions&rdquo; in order to find a way to victory.&nbsp;
"He has the capacity to aggravate, or provoke, or exploit any number of crises that are happening in this region,&rdquo; Solomon said.
Little, however, Scheindlin pointed out, appears to be moving the needle for the prime minister.&nbsp;He has shown that "you can attack Iran and attack Iran again. You can bomb Lebanon. You can kill Hassan Nasrallah, and nothing has changed the polls."
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-08-20/ty-article-magazine/.premium/the-u-s-peace-plan-is-grave-for-gaza-and-great-for-netanyahu/000001a0-1f60-dd2f-a1b6-7feafc790000">The U.S. Peace Plan Is Grave for Gaza and Great for Netanyahu</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-22/ty-article/.premium/eisenkot-vows-no-palestinian-state-after-arab-party-leader-urges-recognition/000001a0-2ad2-d293-a1e7-3ad27a6a0000">Netanyahu Rival Eisenkot Vows No Palestinian State: 'Not Now, Not in Next Government'</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-15/ty-article-static/.premium/reality-check-as-the-election-nears-haaretz-debunks-israeli-politicians-biggest-lies/0000019f-a8c0-d798-a3bf-bafea2290000">Reality Check: As the Election Nears, Haaretz Debunks Israeli Politicians' Biggest Lies</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-21/ty-article/.premium/cannibalizing-the-camp-the-petty-politics-destroying-israels-opposition/000001a0-20af-d399-afb3-b4aff8820000">The Petty Politics Destroying Israel's Opposition</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-18/ty-article/.premium/likuds-casualty-list-the-netanyahu-loyalists-headed-home-after-brutal-primary/000001a0-15bb-d129-a3ba-57bb67660000">Likud's Casualty List: The Netanyahu Loyalists Headed Home After a Brutal Primary</a>

How Israel, Fatah and the PA join forces to silence Palestinian protest: LISTEN to Amira Hass

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