Israel's government legal but not legitimate, says former PM Ehud Barak

Israel's government legal but not legitimate, says former PM Ehud Barak | GZERO World

Is Israel's democracy in danger? On GZERO World, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak sits down with Ian Bremmer to discuss what Barak thinks is the hidden agenda of the current government's judicial overhaul.

For Barak, the proposed reform process is really a power grab because it would undermine the very institutions that Israel stands for. He also accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using a "clever tactic" to hide his true motivations.

Despite being a legal government, Barak describes the ruling coalition as "illegitimate" — with a "black flag waving over it." And that, he adds, has big implications for the future of Israeli democracy.

Watch the episode of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer: How Bibi could end Israel's democracy (or get ousted)

More from GZERO Media

- YouTube

As the US economy continues to defy expectations, Eurasia Group Managing Director of Global Macro Robert Kahn says the key question is whether a slowdown has been avoided or merely delayed. “The headline here is the impressive resilience of the US, maybe also the global economy over the last six months,” Kahn tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings.

- YouTube

Yes, this is real. Puppet Regime Ministry of Merchandise is now OPEN. Head to www.shop.puppetregime.tv to show everyone on the bloc that you support The Regime VERY STRONGLY. #PUPPETREGIME

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attend the world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025.

Egyptian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS

At first glance, it might seem odd that Tony Blair is leading the Western proposal for the future of Gaza.

- YouTube

As a landmark Gaza ceasefire reshapes Middle East stability, what does it mean for Egypt’s growth outlook? Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat tells GZERO’s Tony Maciulis the deal is “a monumental moment” and durable.

- YouTube

As the global economy faces uncertainty, Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director of the World Bank, warns that “a wait-and-see attitude” is holding back investment and growth, especially in developing countries. Speaking with GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, van Trotsenburg highlights human capital and infrastructure as key priorities, with a growing urgency to bridge both the digital and AI divides.