Primer for the 2026 Israeli Elections – Mechanisms and Procedures of the Israeli Electoral System with Natan Guttman

PRIMER FOR THE 2026 ISRAELI ELECTIONS – MECHANISMS AND PROCEDURES OF THE ISRAELI ELECTORAL SYSTEM WITH NATAN GUTTMAN – EMINENT ISRAELI REPORTER BASED IN DC Natan Guttman has been reporting from Washington, DC for the past two decades. Since 2007 he has been the US correspondent for Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation – KAN 11. Natan was Haaretz’s Washington Bureau Chief from 2001 – 2005, and Features Editor prior to that. From 1996 – 1999 he served as the Chief Editor at the Israel Broadcasting Authority’s Mabat Evening News. He is the former Washington Bureau Chief of the Forward. Natan served as a Diplomatic correspondent for IDF Radio for three years. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In addition to appearing very regularly on Israel Channel 11, Natan Guttman is currently a Moment Institute senior fellow. The 2026 elections in Israel are its most important ones in several decades, and perhaps since 1948. Jews in the US will be following the election campaigns and results with heightened expectations. Each of us may be favoring one party or leader. But are we sufficiently familiar with how the system works? This is a rare opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of the Israeli parliamentary system: – When are elections called? – How does a government fall? – The roles of public and private financing of campaigns – The mechanisms for building ruling coalitions – The role of primaries and the forming of party slates – Who appoints cabinet ministers? – The differences between national and municipal elections – The President’s role in choosing a leader to form a governing majority