Ira Sharkansky
Sharkansksy is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com
Israel and the annexation muddle
We’re a month away from a potential shock to what is more or less peace involving Israel, Palestinians, and other Arabs.
July 1 is the date in the agreement between Likud and Blue and White...
Now, a new government amid a pandemic
For more than a year, Israelis have gone to the polls three times. On each occasion, they have produced a tie, more or less, between the major blocs. With neither one able to form...
Coronavirus and coalition politics dominate Israeli news
They say it’s like a war, but it isn’t.
Our wars are shorter, more dramatic, with something like an end coming after days or weeks. And those running them are more regimented and united.
It’s possible...
Gantz, Netanyahyu, and the puzzle of Litzman
As I am writing this, the betting is that Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu will reach an agreement about a government of national unity. There remain a few issues unresolved, and perhaps unresolvable except...
Pandemic and politics produce Israeli turmoil
There are several reasons to call this a commentary on extremes.
Most prominent is the coronavirus. We’re close to being locked in our homes, and it’s promised to get worse.
Unemployment has gone from less than...
Politics and coronavirus in Israel
It’s been two weeks since the election, and just now the President has interviewed party heads, and selected Benny Gantz to have the first chance at forming a coalition.
Earlier signs of a minority government...
The complex relationship between Poles and Jews
Occasional upticks in animosity between Jews and Poles has produced a correspondence between a Polish friend and my colleague Shlomo Avineri. It’s been an open and friendly exchange, pondering the memories of both people...
Identifying Israeli political parties’ supporters
Israel is complex. It’s one country, but . . .
Leaving aside the problem of vague borders, here we’ll concentrate on its demography.
Recent election ties, the likelihood of another one in two weeks, and the...
‘Deal of Century’ prompts split in Israeli right wing
It’s been a while since Bibi pressed Trump to release his Deal of the Century. As we’ve heard from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Jared Kushner, it’s more a vision than a concrete...
Speculation rife over Trump’s deal, Bibi’s immunity
Trump is on trial, whether he concedes it or not.
Bibi’s immunity is waiting confirmation or denial in the Knesset. Chances are that it’ll be denied if it gets to a vote.
We’ve had three days...