THE WEEK AHEAD: Israel governmental coalition talks underway, Israeli PM Lapid cancels trip to Egypt’s UN Climate Summit, and the New York Stock Exchange to hold ‘Israel Day’

• Knesset coalition negotiations begin

• Lapid cancels participation at U.N. Climate Summit in Egypt

• MBS launches Middle East Green Initiative

• Israel Day at NYSE

• U.S. midterm elections

KNESSET COALITION NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN

Israel is very practiced in carrying out parliamentary elections, having had five selections since April 2019. Yet, it is the post-election coalition-building that complicates matters, as the leader of the largest party attempts to forge a 61-seat-or-more majority government. 

This time, the election outcome seems different. As primary contender for the role of prime minister, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be able to easily form a right-wing government, comprising his own Likud party, the far-right Religious Zionism party of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and the Orthodox parties of Shas and United Torah Judaism. It is still possible that Netanyahu would try to build a coalition that includes centrist parties, to be a truer reflection of the larger population. While the National Unity party is one such possibility, party head Benny Gantz made it clear he would refuse to sit in a government with Netanyahu. 

On election night, Netanyahu vowed that his potential government would “not enter any dangerous adventures” and would “carry out a balanced, responsible policy.” He promised to work to restore Israel’s national security, reduce the cost of living, expand the circle of peace and raise Israel’s global standing among the nations. 

WATCH THE ALL ISRAEL NEWS PANEL DISCUSS THE ELECTION RESULTS ON TBN'S THE ROSENBERG REPORT

LAPID CANCELS PARTICIPATION AT U.N. CLIMATE SUMMIT IN EGYPT

Following the election results, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid decided to cancel his participation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, which starts this Sunday. President Isaac Herzog will lead the Israeli delegation in place of Lapid.

The 27th “Conference of the Parties” invited more than 200 governments to attend; Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected to join, but his war in Ukraine, and the ongoing global energy crisis will likely capture much of the discussion.

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will lead the American delegation, while the administration’s Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International, Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Monica P. Medina, will travel to Tel Aviv early this week to engage in efforts of U.S.-Israel collaboration and knowledge-sharing on water-reuse issues.

MBS LAUNCHES MIDDLE EAST GREEN INITIATIVE

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will hold two separate “green” forums in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, this week: the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit on Nov. 7, and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum on Nov. 11-12.

The MGI Summit is a strategic platform that promotes climate-related regional cooperation and knowledge transfer between heads of state, relevant government ministers and policy makers. In its second year, the SGI Forum promises a lineup of climate experts and thought leaders to discuss the kingdom’s progress towards its climate goals. Saudi Arabia has pledged to plant 10 million trees within its territory and has committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

ISRAEL DAY AT NYSE

The New York Stock Exchange will hold its annual Israel Day on Monday, Nov. 7, featuring Israeli technology from different sectors that has been developed for effectively and efficiently managing commercial property (PropTech). The America-Israel Friendship League and Israeli Mapped in NY, in partnership with Valley Bank, organized the event and will host the conference.

U.S. MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Israelis who went to the polls last week will be watching the U.S. midterm election results, in the hopes that pro-Israel candidates will make it into Congress. The political action committee (PAC) for AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby in Washington, has invested efforts and resources into defeating anti-Israel candidates in various races. The AIPAC PAC was launched in January and had raised $6 million by April for 326 pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates.

Meanwhile, many questions still linger over how the relations between a new right-wing government in Jerusalem and the Democrat administration of U.S. President Joe Biden will develop. A “red wave” in Congress certainly will be more aligned with Israel’s shift rightwards.

This week, we are also keeping an eye on these developing stories:

• ... Why the Israeli election results should not be surprising.

• ... Bibi set to form a right-wing government: How, when and with whom?

• ... Why some U.S. reactions to Netanyahu’s comeback are filled with concern,

• ... Why Netanyahu’s new memoir is a must-read for every Evangelical who loves Israel.