Israel's Political Crossroads: Lieberman, West Bank Annexation, and the Post-Netanyahu Era

The United States and Israel are waging war with an unprecedented level of cooperation. How is regional conflict affecting political dynamics ahead of the 2026 Israeli general elections? And what might that political future look like in a post-Netanyahu Israel? In this conversation, CFR Senior Fellows Elliott Abrams and Steven A. Cook reflect on Abrams’s recent visit to Israel, breaking down the factions and coalitions shaping the upcoming general elections, and weighing Avigdor Lieberman's chances to become the next prime minister. They also tackle the Haredi draft crisis, the momentum behind West Bank annexation, and what's next for the Palestinian Authority. Speakers Elliott Abrams Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, CFR Steven A. Cook Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies, CFR Subscribe to our channel: https://goo.gl/WCYsH7 This work represents the views and opinions solely of the author. The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher, and takes no institutional positions on matters of policy. Visit the CFR website: http://www.cfr.org Follow CFR on X: http://www.twitter.com/cfr_org Follow CFR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/councilonforeignrelations/