"First and foremost, for the third time in less than a year, there is no obvious 'next government'. There is no obvious coalition of at least 61. On the face of it, this is another hung election."

"(Netanyahu) demonstrated that despite the corruption charges and with the help of endless ugly maneuvers, dirty tricks and uninhibited mudslinging, he can maintain the loyalty of nearly half the electorate to his party and its allies."

Yossi Alpher, Israeli security expert, in today's Hard Questions, Tough Answers for APN (see below).

Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

March 3, 2020, - The March 2 Elections: Ongoing Deadlock but Important Strategic Trends

Q. You are writing this Q & A about the elections against a deadline, yet without final results. Given this constraint and based on the results at hand, what significant conclusions can you offer about the next government?

A. First and foremost, for the third time in less than a year, there is no obvious “next government”...

Q. Assuming no significant change in this outcome in the next day or two, what can we expect? What are your scenarios?

A. A fourth round next October or November cannot be excluded. Still, a rising wave of disgust among the public and the politicians, supported by President Rivlin, could motivate one or more parties or politicians to cross over the political divide,...

Q. At the level of values and issues, can you point to Netanyahu’s advantage and Gantz’s disadvantage as demonstrated in these elections?

A. Netanyahu convinced his electorate that the corruption accusations against him are trivial at best and that he can manage a government while dealing with them...

Q. Let’s assume the atmosphere will continue to be one of uncertainty, due either to months of problematic coalition talks or a fourth round or one followed by the other. What harsh realities does the country face?

A. Besides the obvious cumulative and demoralizing dangers to the rule of law and to a healthy civil society? Beyond them, Israel faces a series of unresolved strategic issues that will seemingly remain unresolvable...

APN Legislative Round-Up: February 28, 2020

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived

1. Bills, Resolutions, and Letters
2. The 2020 AIPAC Policy Conference
3. Hearings
4. On the Record

PeaceCast Episode #111: "Contiguity Denied" with Danny Seidemann

Jerusalem expert discussed the recent announcement of unprecedented expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem and environs, initiatives which would cut off Palestinian East Jerusalem from the West Bank and deny contiguity to a future Palestinian state. This episode is an edited version of the February 28 APN briefing call.

Listen >

Go HERE to listen to the recording of the entire briefing

PeaceCast Episode #112: "Developing Palestinian High-Tech"

A conversation with Yadin Kaufmann, an Israeli technology investor, social entrepreneur and writer. A veteran venture capitalist, Kaufmann works to stimulate a Palestinian high-tech industry.

Listen >

Subscribe to APN's PeaceCast at iTunes or Google Play

Thursday, March 12, 12:30 pm ET

Webinar: "Deal of the Century:" What Now for the Israeli Left?

Does the Trump plan mark the end of the road for the two-state solution? Must the Israeli left now formulate a new paradigm for the future?

Join in on this live webinar - which can be accessed via your computer or by phone - with Haaretz Editor-in-Chief Aluf Benn, and Al-Monitor Columnist Akiva Eldar, in a conversation moderated by Jodi Rudoren, The Forward Editor-in-Chief.

Co-sponsors: APN and Partners for Progressive Israel

Go HERE for more information and to register to participate.

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