David Makovsky

Today, we will bring you a Washington Institute policy forum that I moderated about what could be one of the most, if not the most, consequential elections in Israel's history.

I'm David Makovsky, and I'm happy to go on this journey with you.

In this high-stakes election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces an opposition bloc led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot.

Multiple urgent issues loom over the vote, including the Iran war, Gaza, and other unresolved conflicts on numerous fronts, military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, and violence by extremists among the settlers in the West Bank.

[whooshing tone] Thank you for being with us at, here at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

This is a forum to discuss Israel's upcoming elections on October 27th.

My name's David Makovsky.

I'm the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow here at the Washington Institute, director of our project on Arab-Israel relations.

The plunge in Israel's approval in American public opinion comes after a long and grueling two-year war in Gaza and a controversial war with Iran.

I'm David Makovsky of the Washington Institute, and I'm happy to go on this journey with you.

Recent polling numbers are striking.

A Pew poll from April 2026 found that 60% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of Israel.

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There's a lot to unpack.

Until next time, I'm David Makovsky.

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