[Interview] Ousting Netanyahu won’t curb right-wing Israeli nationalism, says expert ahead of Tuesday’s Knesset elections

Beth Oppenheim discusses the enduring ideological shift in Israeli politics, emphasizing that even if Netanyahu is ousted, illiberal and ethnonationalist ideas will persist. She critiques the oversimplified left-right political spectrum, categorizing Israeli parties into four groups: liberal Zionists, nationalists, ultra-Orthodox, and religious nationalists. The liberal Zionists advocate for secularism and democratic values but lack a strong platform on Palestinian issues. Nationalists, represented by Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, combine liberal democracy with ultra-nationalism. The ultra-Orthodox camp is primarily non-Zionist and focuses on religious observance, while religious nationalists merge religious beliefs with nationalism. Oppenheim concludes that the ideological landscape will remain complex regardless of electoral outcomes.