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Israeli Politics in the Post-2013 Elections: The Coalition of the Unwilling?
Abstract
The Israeli elections of January 2013 resulted in a rather unusual political coalition. First, the various partners in this coalition government have diverse and sometimes contradictory goals, particularly on foreign policy matters (such as the reopening of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority). Those diverse political goals will be analyzed in this paper and the relationships between domestic politics and foreign policy will be specifically highlighted. Particular attention will be given to the fact that the January 2013 elections produced Israel's first post-Arab Spring government. It should be specifically noted that the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has assumed, in effect, a role as Israel's chief doomsday predictor, adopting a strong, thoroughly negative stance against any any all aspects of the so-called Arab Spring. The paper will explore Netanyahu's position as it relates to his overall attitude toward issues of peace and war, particularly between Israelis and Palestinians.
Discipline
International Relations/Affairs
Geographic Area
Israel
Sub Area
None