Bibi. Arabs. Haredim. The Politics of Hate. | Gil Hoffman
Israel is now just 43 days away from election day, with Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party still leading in most polls — but with no clear path to forming a government. Veteran political analyst Gil Hoffman joins Israel in Ten to explain why Israel may be heading for yet another electoral deadlock. He also argues that much of Israeli voting behaviour is being driven less by a positive vision for the future than by fear, resentment and political hatred.
The IDF says it has thwarted a terrorist shooting attack in Judea and Samaria, arresting a Palestinian suspect near Hebron who was allegedly planning an imminent attack on Israeli civilians during Rosh Hashanah. Security remains heightened across Israel for the High Holidays, with thousands of police and Border Police personnel deployed at holy sites and other crowded locations.
Iran is blaming Israel for growing tensions between Tehran and Gulf states, saying Israel is the only country benefiting from the crisis. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has also dismissed reports of activity at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain as baseless, after President Donald Trump said the US was monitoring the site and could strike it. Baghaei says Saudi Arabia requested the postponement of talks between Iran and Gulf states that were due to take place in Oman.
Oil prices are climbing sharply, nearing 108 dollars a barrel after Saudi Arabia shut a key export pipeline following multiple attacks. The East-West pipeline allows Saudi crude to reach the Red Sea without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping is already heavily disrupted by the war with Iran. Its closure is raising fresh fears of a global supply crunch, with analysts warning prices could rise much further if the pipeline remains offline.
Protests have broken out across Syria over a sharp rise in fuel prices. Demonstrations have been reported in several parts of the country after the government announced overnight increases in petroleum prices. Syria’s Energy Ministry blamed higher global supply costs and maintenance at the Baniyas refinery, insisting the rises are temporary and linked to exceptional circumstances.
And Israel’s culture minister is calling for two Israeli filmmakers to be stripped of their citizenship after their Gaza war documentary won a prize at the Venice Film Festival. Miki Zohar accused Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor of “treason,” saying they were damaging Israel in order to win applause abroad. Their film, NAZA, makes allegations about IDF conduct and civilian casualties in Gaza. The IDF rejects the central claims, saying the documentary relies on anonymous testimonies that cannot be independently verified. Gadi Eisenkot has also condemned the film as distorted and one-sided.
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