Former MK, writer and current Knesset candidate Dr. Einat Wilf joins David Levine to discuss her return to politics, the Reservists–Economic Party, universal service, the relationship between Israel and the Jewish world, and why she believes Israel must fight a war of ideas as seriously as it fights on the battlefield.

For more than a decade, Dr. Einat Wilf became known internationally as one of Israel’s most prominent English-language voices on Zionism, the Palestinians and the relationship between Israel and the Jewish world.

Now she is returning to electoral politics.

In this episode of the Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories special series Israel Votes, Wilf joins David Levine to explain why she decided to run again and why she joined Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha on the Reservists–Economic Party list, where she is currently ranked third. Jerusalem Post

Wilf lays out her own political arguments about what she calls “Palestinianism,” explains why she believes Israel is fighting a battle over narrative and consciousness as well as a military conflict, and discusses her priorities if she returns to the Knesset.

David and Einat also discuss universal national service, the role of Israeli Arabs and olim, the cost of living, the relationship between Israel and world Jewry, and why internationally minded Israelis may have an important perspective to bring into Israeli politics.

They also talk about something especially relevant for new olim: how surprisingly accessible Israeli political life can be — from parlor meetings to direct contact with candidates — and why participating in a campaign can be one way to become more connected to Israeli society.

Mentioned in this episode:
Einat Wilf – https://www.einatwilf.com/

The Reservists and the Economic Party – https://www.thepetek.com/en/party/reservists-economic

Dara Horn – https://www.darahorn.com/

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News commentator Benyamin Moalem joins David Levine for an Elections 101 guide to Israel's 2026 election — explaining parties, the Knesset, the 3.25% threshold, coalitions, the race to 61 seats, and what olim need to know before going to the kalpi.

Israel's election system can feel completely foreign to a new oleh, let alone folks outside the country.

There are no local congressional districts. You don't directly elect the prime minister. Instead, voters choose among national party lists, and after the votes are counted, the real battle begins: building a coalition capable of commanding a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

In the first installment of our special Israel Votes series, David Levine sits down with news commentator Benyamin Moalem for an Elections 101 guide to Israeli politics.

Benyamin explains the basics of proportional representation, the 3.25% electoral threshold, how smaller parties can determine the outcome of an election, why 61 seats matter, and what happens when no political bloc can form a government.

The conversation also explores the political blocs and parties as they stood at the time of recording, Arab parties, party mergers, the president's role in the government-formation process, and some of the major differences between Israeli and American elections.

Finally, David and Benyamin get practical: what you actually see when you walk into an Israeli polling place, who can vote from outside the country, and what English-speaking olim should be thinking about as Election Day approaches.

Israel's election for the 26th Knesset is scheduled for October 27, 2026

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Writer and storyteller Josh Rose joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from Manchester and London to Tel Aviv, from writing about Jewish and LGBTQ identity in the UK to building a new life in Israel after arriving just days before war changed everything.

Josh Rose never expected to make Aliyah.

He grew up in Manchester, lived in London, worked as an environmental manager, and built a writing life around Jewish identity, LGBTQ life, antisemitism, and belonging. Israel was not part of his family story. His parents had never brought him on family holidays there, he had no Israeli parent, and he did not grow up assuming that one day he would move.

Then he came to Israel on a volunteer trip for LGBT+ British Jews — and something shifted.

In this episode, Josh joins David Levine to talk about the surprising path that led him from London to Tel Aviv, why his friends saw the move coming before he did, and what happened when he arrived in Israel just days before war disrupted every plan he had made.

Instead of the organized beginning he imagined — ulpan, housing, routine, and a clear path forward — Josh found himself without a program, without a job, without a settled apartment, and alone in a bomb shelter. But through that uncertainty, he found friendship, community, flexibility, and a deeper sense that Israel was exactly where he needed to be.

David and Josh discuss Aliyah, writing, Hebrew, chosen family, antisemitism in the UK, LGBTQ life in Israel, Tel Aviv Pride, creativity, and why Tel Aviv has become the place where Josh can finally live all parts of himself together.

Recorded on location at Soho House Tel Aviv.

Credits:
Host: David Levine
Guest: Josh Rose
Editing: Laura Brickman
Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
Social Media: Tehilah Simantov

Mentioned in this episode:
Josh Rose – https://www.instagram.com/joshrosewrites/
Josh Rose Writes – https://joshrosewrites.com/
Times of Israel: Josh Rose – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/josh-rose/
Birthright Israel – https://www.birthrightisrael.com/
Tel Aviv Pride – https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/
Jerusalem Open House – https://www.joh.org.il/
Gan Meir LGBTQ Center – https://lgbtqcenter.org.il/
Jewish Chronicle – https://www.thejc.com/
Jewish News – https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/
Jewish Telegraph – https://www.jewishtelegraph.com/
UK Jewish Film Festival – https://ukjewishfilm.org/
Sinnerman – https://okra-oval-5w2p.squarespace.com/2021-winner-josh-rose

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IG: @aliyah_stories
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