## Podcast Transcription – September 1, 2022
Our guest this week is Knesset Member Yossi Shain, who joins the podcast to discuss how his party, Yisrael Beitenu, is preparing for the upcoming November election. Shain argues that the right-wing secular party is led by Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, not the religious and far-right alliance that recently merged under pressure from former Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Shain also explains how Lieberman, known for his harsh statements towards Israeli Arab politicians, found himself in a coalition with Mansour Abbas of the United Arab List. While Lieberman hasn’t changed his views, Abbas recognized Israel as a Jewish state, enabling cooperation between the two parties.
In other news, Meretz elected Zehava Gallon as their new leader. Prime Minister Yair Lapid recently had a private meeting with President Biden to discuss Iran, while Israel narrowly averted a potential teacher strike before the new school year. But will these events influence voter decisions come November?