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This is Fresh Air, I'm Terry Gross.

Israel recently elected the most right-wing government in its history.

Becoming another democratic country that many observers think is moving toward authoritarianism.

Benjamin Netanyahu returned to his former position as Prime Minister by forming a coalition

with ultra-orthodox and ultra-nationalist parties.

Netanyahu was sworn in December 29th.

My guest, Anshel Fefer writes that already coalition members are calling for the arrest

of leaders of the opposition.

Fefer says ultra-orthodox fundamentalists in the Kineset Israel's parliament may succeed

in irrevocably changing Israel's identity, its education system, the cultural and

media landscape, and even the definition of who is a Jew, and who therefore is guaranteed

the right to become an Israeli citizen.

The new government is also taking a hard line against Palestinians.

Netanyahu has had a friendly relationship with Putin, and that has implications for Russia's

war in Ukraine.

Anshel Fefer is a British-born Israeli journalist who writes commentary and a column for the Israeli

publication Harats.

He's also the Israel correspondent for the British publication, the economist, and he's

the author of a biography of Netanyahu called BB.

Anshel Fefer, welcome to Fresh Air.

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