Israeli Elections: will a new round of the Iran War come next?

This week's historic elections in Israel are the first time the country has voted since the October 7th attacks, and the election may ultimately turn on a single question: will voters hold accountable the politicians responsible for the security failings which led to that atrocity? Christiane and Jamie look at Netanyahu's fight for survival and the challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, and ask whether security is now the only issue on the ballot, with almost every prominent party sitting on the right.

They also ask: if Netanyahu loses, does anything actually change? Can Israel be brought back in from the international cold, or will the alternative mean more of the same in Gaza and the West Bank? Did Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu move a single vote? And is it time for the US to reappraise its relationship with Israel, regardless of who the next Prime Minister is?

Then: was Pete Hegseth's recent meeting with Netanyahu a precursor to a new round of the US-Israeli war with Iran? Is that conflict likely to restart as soon as the Midterms are out of the way? Christiane also has her say on some of Trump's controversial and bizarre recent public statements, ranging from Islamophobic remarks about Abdul El Sayed to his comments about the muscles and the backsides of Republican candidates.

Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files is a Global production, available every Tuesday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on social media @amanpourpod

For more content, please follow us:

Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod

X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social