How does Israel's electoral system actually work? What happens to your vote after you cast it? And how does a country with so many political parties end up forming a government?

In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari Kalker goes solo for a crash course in Israeli democracy, breaking down everything from the voting booth to the formation of a governing coalition.

We cover how Israelis vote, how ballots are counted, what the 3.25% electoral threshold means, how Knesset seats are distributed, and why the party with the most votes doesn't necessarily get to choose the prime minister.

Then we turn to the political landscape, taking a look at the major parties competing for seats in the next Knesset, their leaders, their political positions, and what they represent for Israel's future.

From Netanyahu's Likud and the established opposition to the emerging parties of Yoaz Hendel and Ofer Winter, Ari offers his personal assessment of the political choices facing Israeli voters.

Full disclosure: Ari is actively involved in Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael party and makes no attempt to hide his political affiliations. But regardless of where you stand politically, understanding how Israel's democracy works is essential to making an informed decision.

🗳️ Check Your Voter Registration & Polling Station

Not sure if you're registered to vote or where your polling station is located? Check your voter registration status and find your designated polling station here:

👉 https://www.gov.il/apps/moin/bocharim/en

Israel's future is decided at the ballot box. Make sure you understand how it works.

🇮🇱 Boots on the Ground — Israel's wars, politics, and identity, from the perspective of those living it.

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Israelis vote. Governments form. Coalitions collapse. But how many of us actually understand the system that turns our votes into 120 seats in the Knesset?

This week on Boots on the Ground, I’m joined by Tamir Dortal, host of the Hebrew-language podcast Al HaMashmaut, for a deep dive into how Israeli elections actually work—and how the structure of the system shapes the politics we get.

We break down Israel’s unusual nationwide electoral system, party lists and primaries, the electoral threshold, surplus-vote agreements, and what happens to votes cast for parties that fail to cross the threshold. More importantly, we look at the incentives the system creates: Who are MKs really accountable to—the voters or the party leaders who determine their political futures?

Tamir argues that some of Israel’s biggest political problems may have less to do with the politicians themselves and more to do with the rules of the game. We discuss how the electoral threshold can give smaller coalition partners enormous leverage, why votes can effectively disappear, and whether lowering the threshold and reforming vote-sharing could produce broader, more stable governments where every vote matters.

And we finish with a provocative question: Could changing the mechanics of Israeli elections change Israeli politics itself?

What transforms a bullied Jewish teenager from Belgium into a U.S. Army Ranger, a Reserve Colonel, and ultimately one of the leaders building Israel's next generation of civilian defense?

In this episode of Boots on the Ground, I sit down with Colonel Yonatan Zagdanski, a former U.S. Army Ranger and Reserve Chaplain, to discuss his extraordinary journey—from the battlefields of the U.S. military to the front lines of Israel's security.

We discuss the lessons Ranger training teaches about leadership, discipline, and strength, the rise of antisemitism that shaped his worldview, why he chose to make aliyah, and how October 7 fundamentally changed Israel's security paradigm.

We also explore Citizen Defenders, the initiative helping communities across Israel build highly trained neighborhood response teams capable of defending their families until security forces arrive.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it.

Support Citizen Defenders

Citizen Defenders is an Israeli nonprofit initiative training licensed civilians to serve as immediate responders during terrorist attacks and other emergencies. Donations are tax-deductible through its U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.

🇮🇱 Donate: https://secure.israelfriends.us/campaigns/citizen-project
🌐 Website: https://citizen-defenders.org
📧 Contact: Yonatan.z@citizen-defenders.org

Am Yisrael Chai!!

Israel's election campaign has entered an unusual quiet period. The polls are changing almost daily, new parties are emerging, and political alliances are still taking shape—but how much of it actually matters?

In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari and Shaun break down why current polling numbers may be telling us very little, examine the rise of Gadi Eisenkot's new party, and explain why the real campaign won't begin until party lists are finalized.

They also discuss the growing tensions in Judea and Samaria, the latest developments surrounding Iran and the United States, and why Israeli politics has become dominated by personalities instead of serious policy debates.

As election season heats up, the hosts argue that voters should demand something more than slogans and campaign promises: practical, achievable policies that address Israel's real strategic challenges.

Support Ari's work: If you believe in bringing practical, policy-driven leadership to the Jewish world, I'd be honored to have your vote as one of the Top 25 Young ViZIONaries, an initiative of Jewish National Fund-USA and The Jerusalem Post. It takes less than a minute to vote, and every vote makes a difference. Please vote and share with your friends and family:

https://top25vizionaries.com/vote/ari-kalker-mrw4lihl

In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari and Sean break down the four critical issues that will dominate the upcoming Israeli election cycle: Security, the role of Haredi society, the Economy, and Judicial Reform.

We move past the "mudslinging" to analyze the strategic consensus on Israel's borders, the growing friction over military service and economic contributions, the impact of the cost of living, and the looming constitutional crisis surrounding the Supreme Court. Is it possible to prioritize all four, or will the next government be forced to choose just one?

After nearly three months on reserve duty, Shaun and Ari return to the studio with fresh perspectives from the front lines and a candid conversation about the future of Israel.

The episode begins with an honest discussion about the often-overlooked transition from combat back to civilian life, exploring the emotional, professional, and family challenges faced by reservists after extended deployments.

From there, the conversation turns to Israeli politics as the country heads toward elections. Ari and Shaun examine the latest Knesset legislation, the ongoing debate over military service and ultra-Orthodox exemptions, judicial reform, and the growing sense among many reserve soldiers that the political parties they once supported no longer represent their priorities.

Despite approaching the issues from different perspectives, they ask the same fundamental question: Who represents the Israelis who both serve and carry the country's economic burden? The discussion explores ideas for recalibrating Israel's national priorities, rewarding service, encouraging broader participation, and whether a new generation of political leadership can move beyond the old "pro versus anti" divisions that have dominated Israeli politics for years.

This episode is both a personal reflection from two soldiers returning from the battlefield and a thoughtful discussion about where Israel may be headed as election season begins.

If you believe Israel needs leaders who have served, sacrificed, and are committed to reshaping our national priorities, add your name in support of Ari Kalker's potential candidacy. Your support today can help build the momentum needed for tomorrow.
Support here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR-xaPbvxtTS4g1AeSqx9xMH07UhcjIwV8qVfMbRCtXaKQlg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105840100555100417840

In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari sits down with Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin for a wide-ranging conversation on Judaism, science, Zionism, and the ideological battles shaping Israel today.

They explore how the animals and plants of Tanakh reveal the Jewish people’s deep indigenous connection to the Land of Israel, unpack the argument at the heart of Slifkin’s book Lions of Zion, and examine how nature itself challenges anti-Israel narratives.

The conversation then turns to Rationalist Judaism, the clash between rationalism and mysticism, and one of the most pressing questions facing Israeli society: the growing divide over army service, civic duty, and national responsibility.

A fascinating and challenging conversation about faith, truth, and the future of Israel.

To follow R. Slifkin's work, you can go to:
The blog - https://www.rationalistjudaism.com/
The Museum - https://www.biblicalnaturalhistory.org/

In this episode, Shaun and Ari break down the latest developments in Israel's war with Iran, the growing political battle over the Haredi draft, and the increasing speculation about early elections.

They discuss the military, political, and social implications of these issues, what they mean for Israel's future, and how the country's leadership is fumblin one of the most challenging periods in recent memory.

A quick programming note: both Shaun and Ari are currently serving in reserve duty, which means new episodes may be released a bit more sporadically in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience and support as we balance service with bringing you these conversations.

We'd like to extend our thanks to our partners at the Jerusalem Media Group and to our sponsors at BeThereIsrael.com for their continued support in helping make this podcast possible.