# Are Netanyahu's Policies Reshaping Israel For the Better Or Worse?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/economics-matters-with-laurence-kotlikoff-6614501/are-netanyahu-s-policies-reshaping-israel-for-the-better-or-worse
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/economics-matters-with-laurence-kotlikoff-6614501/are-netanyahu-s-policies-reshaping-israel-for-the-better-or-worse.md
Podcast: [Economics Matters with Laurence Kotlikoff](https://stenobird.com/podcast/economics-matters-with-laurence-kotlikoff-6614501)
Published: 2026-05-21T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/economics-matters/episodes/Are-Netanyahus-Policies-Reshaping-Israel-For-the-Better-Or-Worse-e3jm7iq
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/e8bfdf7c/podcast/play/120314906/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-4-21%2F424589417-44100-2-e16a9a5e24d32.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/economics-matters-with-laurence-kotlikoff-6614501/episodes/are-netanyahu-s-policies-reshaping-israel-for-the-better-or-worse
Duration seconds: 3116

## Resource

Can Israel reverse its political and social trajectory as elections approach amid ongoing wars and rising international isolation? Economics Matters co-host, Alex Kotlikoff, reunites with Israel's most influential and consequential economist, Eytan Sheshinski, to discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s long tenure and the impact of his right-wing coalition. The discussion ranges over Israeli domestic policy, geopolitics, the Iran war, and the upcoming Israeli election. Additional talking points include: Polling that shows a narrow opposition edge that would end Netanyahu's 17-year run as Prime Minister The impact of prolonged conflict on hostages and society. A brain drain of about 80,000 people since October Economic strains from reservist mobilization Rising debt and deficits Growing official and unofficial boycotts affecting academia and Israel’s global standing. Israel-US relations, shifts in American Jewish and Democratic support, and campus antisemitism debates Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons Hopes for regional change tied to government change. Time Stamps: 00:00 Eytan's history and professional background 01:27 Elections and Netanyahu 03:02 Coalition and Ultra Orthodox 10:54 Judicial Reform Protests 12:45 Smotrich Ben Gvir Explained 17:27 Cultural Decline Brain Drain 21:37 War Economy and Boycotts 28:28 Rightward Shift and History 33:10 US Jewry and Campus Politics 41:05 Iran War and Nuclear Threat 47:40 Global Outlook US China NATO 49:41 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

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