Advertise on podcast: Waiting for 61: JTA's Israel Election Podcast

Gadi Eisenkot has received the mandate to form Israel’s next government, but can he actually put together a coalition? As tensions emerge within the anti-Netanyahu bloc, Ami and Ruth discuss Eisenkot’s options, the possibility of a minority government, and why Israelis can’t help bracing for another election. They also tackle President Trump's first sit-down interview since the midterms with 60 Minutes, in which he reflected on the Republican Party's losses, acknowledging that the war with Iran and attitudes toward Israel may have played a role. _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/3ku3f7tw  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

Gadi Eisenkot has been given the first chance to form Israel’s next government after receiving the backing of parties representing 67 Knesset seats. But securing a 61-seat coalition may be far more complicated. Eisenkot has laid out four guiding principles that any party seeking to join his government must accept, raising questions about which parties both within and outside the change bloc will be willing to compromise. On today's episode, Ami and Ruth break down these four principles, from Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity to universal national service and the fight against Hamas. They explore how these demands could shape coalition negotiations, where key figures like Mansour Abbas and Avigdor Lieberman stand, and whether Eisenkot can bridge their differences to form a government. _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

On today’s mailbag episode, Ami and Ruth responded to questions from our listeners. They tackled several issues, including the claim that foreign funds influenced Arab voter turnout, United Torah Judaism’s decision not to recommend Netanyahu to form a government, and more… _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

What does America’s “Blue Tsunami” mean for Israel? Following massive Democratic gains in the U.S. midterm elections, Ami Eden and Ruth Eglash examine the future of U.S.-Israel relations, from American military aid and arms sales to shifting attitudes toward Israel among the public. They discuss whether the relationship is facing a fundamental turning point and whether Israel’s next government can rebuild bipartisan support in Washington.  6 Jewish Takeaways from the Midterm Elections: https://www.jta.org/2026/11/04/ideas/6-jewish-takeaways-from-the-midterm-elections  _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

Could Gadi Eisenkot become Israel’s next prime minister without forming a 61-seat coalition? A proposal articulated by Dr. Matan Gutman in Ynet suggests there may be an unconventional path to forming a government that could allow parties to support Eisenkot without formally joining his coalition. Ami Eden and Ruth Eglash break down how the proposal would work, whether it could break Israel’s political deadlock, and what it would mean for the stability of the next government. Dr. Gutman’s article: https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/bk6zrvetze  _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

The Israeli presidency is largely ceremonial, with limited authority over government policy. But there are moments when the president’s judgment carries enormous weight—and this is one of them. As Israel’s political parties vie to assemble a governing coalition of at least 61 seats, President Isaac Herzog faces a consequential decision: who should get the first opportunity to form the next government? With Ruth out in the field reporting, Ami is joined by special guest Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, former editor-in-chief and current columnist at The Jerusalem Post, and author of several books, including the recently published While Israel Slept. Together, they explore the president’s role in Israel’s political system, the influence Herzog can wield at a pivotal moment, and the man behind the office. _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/3ku3f7tw  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

Overall, the anti-Netanyahu parties have secured 67 mandates. So why isn’t a change government being formed? Well, 19 of those seats belong to the Arab parties — Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, and the Joint List, the more extreme amalgam of anti-Zionist groups. Many opposition leaders, like Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman pledged during their campaigns not to sit in government with either of these parties, leaving the blocs at a standstill. On today’s episode of Waiting for 61, Ami and Ruth discussed why it is considered so problematic to form a government with the Arab Parties and what the opposition’s options are going forward. _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

The heavily anticipated Israeli election happened yesterday, but the results offered little clarity on who will be Israel’s next prime minister. The Likud, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, outperformed predictions, winning a projected 27 seats, while Yashar, Gadi Eisenkot’s party is projected to secure just 22. All in all, the Netanyahu-led bloc managed to secure around 53 mandates and the change block, 48. Meanwhile, Arab voters cast their ballots at remarkably high rates, with the two parties projected to secure 19 seats. Without joining forces with the Arab parties or a dramatic shift in political alliances, the parties are at a deadlock. On today’s episode of Waiting for 61, Ami and Ruth unpacked this complex outcome, laying out all the possible scenarios going forward. _____ What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles, and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters, and what it could mean for Israel and the wider world. Send questions to our hosts: [email protected]  _____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.  https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5  _____ CREDITS:  CO-HOST: Ami Eden CO-HOST: Ruth Eglash PRODUCER: Maya Rackoff

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters – and what it could mean for Israel and the world. Israeli elections are rarely straightforward. With a crowded field of parties, shifting political alliances and a parliamentary system where winning the most votes doesn't necessarily mean winning power, there's a lot to untangle. That's where we come in. Join Ami Eden, CEO of 70 Faces Media (JTA’s parent organization) and Ruth Eglash, JTA’s Senior Israel correspondent, every weekday for sharp analysis, lively conversations and a closer look at the forces driving Israel’s unpredictable political system. ____  Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades. Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/3ku3f7tw Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5 Apple: https://tinyurl.com/aavjwehz

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters – and what it could mean for Israel and the world. Israeli elections are rarely straightforward. With a crowded field of parties, shifting political alliances and a parliamentary system where winning the most votes doesn't necessarily mean winning power, there's a lot to untangle. That's where we come in. Join Ami Eden, CEO of 70 Faces Media (JTA’s parent organization) and Ruth Eglash, JTA’s Senior Israel correspondent, every weekday for sharp analysis, lively conversations and a closer look at the forces driving Israel’s unpredictable political system. ____ Free news is only free if someone pays for the reporters, the editors, and the late nights that come with an election. Your gift keeps Waiting for 61 free for every listener, whether they’re hearing it for the first time or have followed Israeli politics for decades.   Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/3ku3f7tw Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5fyscbd5 Apple: https://tinyurl.com/aavjwehz

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters – and what it could mean for Israel and the world. Israeli elections are rarely straightforward. With a crowded field of parties, shifting political alliances and a parliamentary system where winning the most votes doesn't necessarily mean winning power, there's a lot to untangle. That's where we come in. Join Ami Eden, CEO of 70 Faces Media (JTA’s parent organization) and Ruth Eglash, JTA’s Senior Israel correspondent, every weekday for sharp analysis, lively conversations and a closer look at the forces driving Israel’s unpredictable political system.

What does it take to win an election in Israel? And what happens after the votes are counted? Waiting for 61, JTA’s Israel election podcast, is your guide to the personalities, power struggles and political calculations shaping Israel’s future. Whether you're a seasoned observer of Israeli politics or just trying to understand how it all works, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore what's driving the election, why it matters – and what it could mean for Israel and the world. Israeli elections are rarely straightforward. With a crowded field of parties, shifting political alliances and a parliamentary system where winning the most votes doesn't necessarily mean winning power, there's a lot to untangle. That's where we come in. Join Ami Eden, CEO of 70 Faces Media (JTA’s parent organization) and Ruth Eglash, JTA’s Senior Israel correspondent, every weekday for sharp analysis, lively conversations and a closer look at the forces driving Israel’s unpredictable political system.