David Makovsky
@DavidMakovsky · Middle East
David Makovsky is followed by Storyz World for research and subject expertise coverage across the Middle East chapter.
I went on PBS NewsHour last night to discuss the breaking report alleging high-level communication between Netanyahu and a leading Arab head of state with an explicit warning ahead of 10/7. As I noted last night, I have not seen sufficient evidence to substantiate that claim, but backchannel conversations with a Palestinian intermediary likely took place. Regardless, it’s unclear whether Hamas leader Sinwar’s warnings would have had a decisive impact given conversations of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and Sinwar’s commitment to derail such a momentous development. https://t.co/6RmiEA1tiI
The media boomlet over a possible Eisenkot-Bennett merger seems to be fading as Tuesday’s deadline for Israeli party lists approaches. While there were signs both leaders favored the move, the decisive factor appears to have been polling showing that the whole would not be greater than the sum of its parts—and might even cost them some of the most coveted voters: those on the soft right considering leaving Netanyahu. In any event, the two parties are part of the same Change Coalition and plan to work together if the bloc succeeds on Election Day, October 27. Instead, Eisenkot scored a notable addition: popular MK Chili Tropper, seen as a unifying figure in Israel. Tropper will be joined by Shira Shapira, mother of Aner Shapira, the young man who on October 7 repeatedly threw back multiple grenades Hamas terrorists hurled into a tiny roadside shelter packed with people fleeing the Nova festival. He threw back seven before an eighth exploded, killing him. His extraordinary actions saved several of those sheltering inside.
Breaking silence, Netanyahu decries 'criminal violence' after settlers again attack besieged West Bank village — Finally. What about ordering Ben Gvir (BG) to arrest perpetrators? Arrests -the moral thing to do. Failure feeds the sense BG favors attacks. https://t.co/oCekD5kB9s
Mossad chief meets Syrian FM in effort to defuse tensions after airstrike https://t.co/04DDNxgGsL