Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a new unity government and controversial plans to annex part of the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went on trial this week for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Earlier this week, the Israeli Parliament, or Knesset in Hebrew, ended 507 days of political limbo by voting into office a new government, jointly headed by Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival turned Alternate Prime Minister, Benny Gantz. The uniquely structured government has a lot of domestic and foreign issues on its plate, but the over-riding question has to do with its very survival. Panel: - Jonathan Hessen, host. - Amir Oren, analyst. - Mr. Mitchell Barak, CEO Kevoon Research Group. - Col. (Res.) Miri Eisin Israeli Public Diplomacy, Security, Intelligence Expert at the Institute for Counter Terrorism in Herzliya. Articles on the topic: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/israels-35th-government-sworn-into-office/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/likud-internal-dissent-over-cabinet-posts-delays-israeli-government-formation/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/former-likud-ally-joins-opposition-and-prepares-for-day-after-netanyahu/ #IsraelNews #tv7israelnews #newsupdates Rally behind our vision - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/donate/ To perches TV7 Israel News merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/tv7-israel-news-store Live view of Jerusalem - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/jerusalem-live-feed/ Visit our website - http://www.tv7israelnews.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/tv7israelnews Like TV7 Israel News on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tv7israelnews Follow TV7 Israel News on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tv7israelnews/ Follow TV7 Israel News on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tv7israelnews

He's seen as an unparalleled political survivor, and once again, he's got what he wants. Benjamin Netanyahu will lead a fifth government in Israel. But for the first time, he won't be governing alone. Netanyahu will be rotating the prime minister's job with his former rival Benny Gantz - 18 months each. That power-sharing deal was agreed last month, ending a year of political deadlock in which three inconclusive elections were held. The unity government - now sworn in - is a rarity in Israel's politics. Gantz says it's needed to tackle the coronavirus during 'not normal times'. But what about Netanyahu and his own battles? He's facing a corruption trial this month - the first sitting Prime Minister to do so. He's also pressing ahead with a controversial plan to annex part of the occupied West Bank. Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria Guests Mitchell Barak, CEO of the political consultancy Keevon Global Research. Dahlia Scheidlin, columnist at +972 Magazine, a public opinion analyst and political strategist. Akiva Eldar, former columnist at Al-Monitor and a contributor to Ha'aretz newspaper. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #Israel

To discuss: Simcha Rothman is an attorney and legal advisor for Meshilut — the Israeli Movement for Governability and Democracy. Omar Baddar is a political analyst and human rights advocate. He serves on the National Policy Council at the Arab American Institute. Debra Shushan is the government affairs director for J Street, a pro-Israel advocacy group. Mitchell Barak is an Israeli pollster and political analyst.

There's no clear winner in Israel's second general election in a year and coalition talks are about to start. Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a record fifth term in office as Israel's Prime minister, but his grip on power appears to be slipping. Preliminary election results show Netanyahu's Likud party almost tied with the Blue and white party led by Benny Gantz. Both are short of the parliamentary majority they need to form a coalition government. This means whoever gets support from smaller parties will become the next prime minister. And in that case, the kingmaker could be Yisrael Beiteinu's leader Avigdor Lieberman. Israel's President Reuven Rivlin will then decide who'll get the job. So, how will the political bargaining turn out? And what kind of government will Israel get, this time? Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom Guests Akiva Eldar, columnist for Al-Monitor's Israel Pulse Yossi Mekelberg, Professor of International Relations at Regent's University and a specialist in Israeli politics. And Mitchell Barak is CEO of Keevoon Global Research and a former adviser to Israeli President Shimon Peres. - Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #Israel

For the first time in more than a decade, Benjamin Netanyahu is not the one tasked with forming a government. That responsibility is now in the hands of Benny Gantz. But several political parties have already refused to work with the former military chief. However there is hope in the form of an unlikely alliance: a group of mainly Arab political parties known as the Joint List. But even if they can form a government, will they be able to work together? Eli Hazan Foreign Affairs Director at the Likud Party Aida Touma-Sliman Member of the Israeli Parliament for the Joint List Party Mitchell Barak Ex-Spokesman for the former Israeli PM Shimon Peres

Israel's government says the Amona outpost is illegal - but it's referring to Israeli law; under international law all settlements on occupied land are illegal. Barely 300 people live in Amona, but with so much attention focused on this one, small place, is the international community losing sight of the bigger issues that surround Israel's illegal settlement programme? Israeli settlements in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem have grown dramatically over the past few decades. The settler population has more than doubled over the last 30 years and now stands at around 600,000. Of that, 400,000 settlers live in Palestinian territory in the West Bank and the remainder in occupied East Jerusalem. There are 100 outposts in the West Bank that have not been approved by the Israeli government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said he's against these, but efforts to clear them - like the current operation in Amona - have been rare. And a bill to legalise such outposts under Israeli law is working its way through the Knesset. Netanyahu says he backs an eventual two-state solution, but have his government's actions made that impossible? Presenter: Martine Dennis Guests: Hanan Ashrawi - PLO Executive Committee Member. Mitchell Barak - Israeli Political Analyst / Former Speechwriter for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Daniel Levy - Director of the Middle East & North Africa Programme, European Council on Foreign Relations. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

The Gaza Strip is one of the most isolated places in the world. The territory has been under Israeli blockade since Hamas siezed control in 2007. Almost two million Palestinians are cut off from aid, proper medical care and work outside the strip. Now rights workers say they too have struggled to get into Gaza. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says investigators are repeatedly stopped for security reasons by both Israeli and Egyptian border guards. The report also criticises Hamas for not complying with international investigations, which HRW says endangers both Palestinians and Israelis. So, where does this leave a possible International Criminal Court investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Gaza? Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Mitchell Barak - pollster and political analyst Omar Shakir - Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Palestinians gathered for the third consecutive Friday at the Gaza-Israel border fence for what was labelled "burning the flag of Israel day". In five different locations, Israeli flags were burned and Palestinian flags hoisted in their places. It's all part of what is called the Great March of Return which will continue until May 15th, the day Palestinians refer to as the Nakba or Catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced off their land in the conflict that culminated in the creation of Israel in 1948. Israeli soldiers are using live ammunition to fire at the protesters. The Palestinian Health Ministry says 33 people have died during the last two weeks, including three children and a journalist. 3,000 people have been wounded. Despite the risks, the Palestinians are refusing to give up. But what can they achieve? Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative and a former Palestinian information minister. Mitchell Barak - Political commentator and former adviser to ex-Israeli President Shimon Peres. Beverley Milton-Edwards - Visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Center and author of " Hamas The Islamic Resistance Movement" Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #Palestine #InsideStory

The new Nation State law declares Israel is a homeland solely for Jewish people. Non-Jewish minorities are understandably outraged, including the Druze minority. Tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv for one of their largest protests in recent history. They say the legislation passed last month makes them 'second-class' citizens. And after decades of loyalty to the Israeli state, they're disappointed at the discriminatory legislation which affects them, along with many other non Jews. The Israeli cabinet met on Sunday, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu defended the controversial legislation. So, what does the future hold for the Druze inside Israel? Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Ariel Kahana - Diplomatic Correspondent, Israel Hayom newspaper Anan Wahbe - Political science researcher, Haifa University Mitchell Barak - Former adviser to former president Shimon Peres and speechwriter for Ariel Sharon Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

He's the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to be put on official notice of planned prosecution on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. But Benjamin Netanyahu says he's innocent and will stay in his post. Israel's attorney general says he plans to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges. If convicted he could face up to 10 years in prison. Netanyahu dismisses the allegations as a political “witch-hunt” designed to oust him from power. A hearing to decide if the prosecution goes ahead won't take place until after Israel's general election in April. So what’s likely to happen if, by then, Netanyahu has won a fifth term as prime minister? And what does it mean for his political career? Presenter: Laura Kyle Guests Akiva Eldar, Israeli Columnist for Al-Monitor Yossi Mekel-berg, Professor in International Relations at Regent's University in London Mitchell Barak, speechwriter for former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and former Israeli President Shimon Peres. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #Netanyahu #IsraelNews

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967. It's been an occupied territory ever since, in defiance of multiple UN resolutions. Now, in a tweet, Donald Trump's seems set to overturn the US position and recognise Israel's sovreignty over Golan Heights. It's a move designed to boost the standing of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he campaigns for reelection. But there's already been an international outcry. Some accuse President Trump of bringing the region close to war. So what will be the conseqeunces of Trump's latest policy bombshell? Presenter: Nick Clark Guests: Mitchell Barak - CEO of Keevoon Global Research who was an adviser to former Israeli President Shimon Peres Aaron Southlea - Advocacy Officer for Al-Marsad, the Arab Human Rights Centre in Golan Heights Simon Mabon - Senior Lecturer in International Studies at Lancaster University - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #GolanHeights

March 30 marks a year since mass demonstrations began at the fence that separates Gaza from Israel. Since then, Friday afternoon prayers have been followed by demonstrations by hundreds of Palestinians. They are demanding their right to return to the homes and land their families were expelled from 70 years ago. Israeli soldiers have responded by firing live ammunition and Gaza's health ministry says they've now killed more than 250 people and injured thousands. The United Nations says more than 120 people have had one or both legs amputated. UN investigators say Israel has committed war crimes. All this, at a time of heightened tension in the region. So what's the way forward? Presenter: Divya Gopalan Guests: Mukhaimer Abu Saada, Professor of Political Science at Al Azhar University in Gaza Mitchell Barak, CEO of Keevoon Global Research and was adviser to former Israeli President Shimon Peres and Speechwriter for Ex Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Saleh Higazi, Deputy Regional Director covering the Middle East and North Africa region for Amnesty International. Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ #Aljazeeraenglish #GazaProtesters #GreatMarchofReturn

The state of Israel is currently face with the worst constitutional crisis in its seven-decade history, despite the paradoxical fact that the Jewish State does not have a constitution. Two election campaigns ended in deadlock and a third one looms, if no candidate is able to form a government this month. What are the probable outcomes amid growing uncertainty? Panel: -Jonathan Hessen, host. -Amir Oren, analyst. -Dr. Yonatan Freeman, Political Science Dept. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. -Mr. Mitchell Barak, CEO Kevoon Research Group Articles on the topic: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/thousands-of-israelis-rally-against-netanyahu-indictment/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/countdown-to-israels-third-election/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/israeli-president-warns-of-third-and-fourth-and-fifth-election/ #IsraelNews #tv7israelnews #newsupdates Rally behind our vision - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/donate/ Live view of Jerusalem - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/jerusalem-live-feed/ Visit our website - http://www.tv7israelnews.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/tv7israelnews Like TV7 Israel News on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tv7israelnews Follow TV7 Israel News on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tv7israelnews/ Follow TV7 Israel News on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tv7israelnews

There is no doubting Benjamin Netanyahu is a political survivor. The Israeli Prime Minister first took office back in 1996, and now in Israel's 2019 election, he's once again in prime position to bring together a ruling coaltion. That's not to say Israel's elections weren't close. They definitely were. But in Israel, politics is all about partnerships, and the way Netanyahu positioned himself before the vote has meant finding support after it, will be far easier for him and his Likud party. So what will it all mean for Israel... and the region? Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria Guests Akiva Eldar, columnist for Al-Monitor's Israel Pulse... Yossi Mekelberg, Professor in International Relations at Regent's University Mitchell Barak, CEO of Keevoon Global Research, and an adviser to the former Israeli President Shimon Peres. Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ #Aljazeeraenglish #News

New elections will be held in Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu failed to cobble together a coalition government. He worked right up until the Wednesday-midnight deadline, but Benjamin Netanyahu just couldn't make it happen. Nearly two months after the Israeli election, and there is no workable coalition, meaning the Knesset, the Israeli parliament has been dissolved and there'll be another vote on September 17. That means three months of campaigning, of political uncertainty and of course, no guarantee the next result will be any clearer. But will anything change? And can a new vote shift the balance of power? Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria Guests Akiva Eldar, columnist at Al-Monitor Yossi Mekelberg, Professor in International Relations at Regent’s University Mitchell Barak, adviser to the former Israeli President Shimon Peres Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ #Aljazeeraenglish #Netanyahu #Israel

Six weeks after the inauguration of the Israeli parliament, the 21st Knesset; it has surprisingly voted itself out of existence. This unprecedented move took place when outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was blocked in his efforts to form a new coalition, and rather than let another candidate try his hand at forming an alternative government - orchestrated a bill to dissolve the Israeli legislator – and hold snap national elections, once again. Panel: - Jonathan Hessen, host. - Amir Oren, analyst. -Mr. Mitchell Barak, CEO Kevoon Research Group. -Col. (Res.) Miri Eisin Israeli Public Image, Security, Intelligence Expert at IDC Herzliya. -Gil Hoffman - Chief Political Correspondent, the Jerusalem Post. Articles on the topic: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/israel-faces-another-round-of-elections-after-failed-coalition-talks/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/israeli-navy-intercepts-smuggling-vessels-off-gaza-coast/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/u-s-ambassador-israel-has-right-to-retain-parts-of-west-bank/ Rally behind our vision - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/donate/ Live view of Jerusalem - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/jerusalem-live-feed/ Visit our website - http://www.tv7israelnews.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/tv7israelnews Like TV7 Israel News on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tv7israelnews Follow TV7 Israel News on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tv7israelnews/ Follow TV7 Israel News on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tv7israelnews