BICOM's Podcast

Episode 144 | What next for Palestinian politics after Abbas postpones elections?

In this podcast, BICOM's Ronie Gazit speaks to Middle East Institute Senior Fellow Khaled Elgindy. They discuss the recent postponement of the Palestinian elections and what impact it could have on Palestinian politics and the wider region. They also touch upon US-Palestinian relations and whether the Biden administration will look to play a role in peacemaking between Israelis and the Palestinians. Khaled served as an adviser to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah on permanent status negotiations with Israel from 2004 to 2009, and was a key participant in the Annapolis negotiations of 2007-08.

Episode 143 | The Future of the JCPOA and What Next For Israel

Richard Pater speaks to former senior Mossad official Sima Shine. Sima, the head of Iran programme at the Institute for National Security Studies outlines the latest developments surrounding Iran's nuclear programme and its implications for regional and international players. Richard and Sima also discuss the progress made in the Vienna talks, what returning to the JCPOA nuclear deal means for Israel. Sima also explores what policy options remain for Israel as it continues to push back against Iran's regional and nuclear ambitions.

Episode 142 | Breaking Israel's political deadlock

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks to Yohanan Plesner, the President of the Israel Democracy Institute, about the chances of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being able to form a government, the alternatives and what to look out for in Netanyahu’s trial. Plesner, a former member of the Knesset  between 2007-13, also offers an insider's guide to coalition building.  

Episode 141 | Trouble in the Jordanian Royal Family?

In this episode, BICOM's Sam Nurding speaks with Daoud Kuttab about the unprecedented public dispute in the Jordanian Royal Family, how it has affected the King's stability as well as the domestic and international challenges facing the country. They also discuss the upcoming Palestinian elections and whether PA President Abbas has passed the point of no return.    

Episode 140 | Another stalemate elections in Israel?

In this episode, BICOM brings you a recording of the webinar with Director Richard Pater about the initial results from Israel's 4th election and what they mean for breaking the political stalemate. The webinar was held on Thursday 25 March at 3pm UK time, when around 99% of the votes were counted. 

Episode 139 | Will anyone beat Bibi?

In this episode, editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post Yaakov Katz and Walla News correspondent Tal Shalev share their latest analysis ahead of Election Day. They discuss the prospect of Benjamin Netanyahu leading the next government, or whether a new figure will become the country's prime minister. 

Episode 138 | What to expect in Israel's 4th election

In this episode Richard Pater speaks with Dahlia Scheindlin and Anshel Pfeffer about the latest campaign developments in Israel, whether Benjamin Netanyahu or Yair Lapid has done enough to win a decisive victory, and what to expect for the day after 23 March. 

Episode 137 | Understanding the JCPOA and the nuclear issue from inside Iran

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Dr. Raz Zimmt, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), about how the nuclear issue is debated from inside Iran. Dr Zimmt provides the arguments between the hardliners and the pragmatists, and explains how the nuclear issue could impact the upcoming Presidential elections in Iran. He also provides his assessment on how Israel should respond to both Iran and the Biden administration. 

Episode 136 | Yamina's perspective on the upcoming elections

In this latest episode, director Richard Pater speaks to Yamina candidate Jeremy Saltan on his party's views on the upcoming Israeli elections, whether the party will join a Netanyahu-led government and what differentiate Yamina from New Hope. Jeremy also talks about why he thinks Bennett is the right leader of Israel now, during the pandemic. Jeremy is a Knesset Insider, campaigner and leading political analyst and author of https://knessetjeremy.com/. 

Episode 135 | Israeli public opinion

Richard Pater speaks to Professor Tamar Hermann, a Senior Research Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and the Academic Director of the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research. Richard and Tamar discuss the Israeli public response to the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and how the issue has affected the ultra-Orthodox community in particular. They also discuss the openness of Israel’s Arab community to further integrate into Israeli society, and the big issues facing voters in the March election.