Daily Briefing May 10: Political parties form new constellations ahead of elections

Political correspondents Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmel discuss the opposition parties’ mergers and defections, and a blitz of new legislation as the Knesset goes back to work

With:
  • Jessica Steinberg
    Jessica Steinberg

    Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel’s culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

  • Sam Sokol
    Sam Sokol

    Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of “Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews”

  • Ariela Karmel
    Ariela Karmel

    Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Political correspondents Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmel join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.

WATCH the full episode here:

The opposition parties are taking shape ahead of the upcoming elections, and Sokol and Karmel discuss both familiar and new political figures and the jockeying among parties to maximize votes.

Karmel also reports on a new Druze political party — the first time the community has formed one in decades, amid a deep sense of frustration with the government.

As the Knesset reconvenes after a prolonged break, Sokol and Karmel discuss the expected raft of legislation, including proposed laws to split the role of the attorney general, a controversial proposed probe into October 7 appointed by politicians, a law that would restrict Israel’s broadcast media landscape, as well as the military service exemption law for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students.

Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen joins Eisenkot’s Yashar party

After joining Yashar, ex-head of Shin Bet says Smotrich a ‘legitimate’ partner, but not Ben Gvir

Amid speculation of merger, Eisenkot and Liberman say they’re ‘deepening cooperation’

Golan: Zionist opposition must partner with Arab party Ra’am to topple government

Yisrael Beytenu, said to eye merger with Eisenkot, adds hostages’ brother to ranks

Contentious proposals dominate planned legislative blitz as Knesset readies to resume

PM said to ask Haredim to again shelve draft exemption bill — this time until after election

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple PodcastsSpotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

Check out yesterday’s episode here:

read more:
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