The Religion and Ethics Report

Early Israel election results show it's unlikely a Benjamin Netanyahu led government will return to power. But nothing is cast in stone. Over the next days and weeks there will be much wrangling behind the scenes to cobble together a new government, possibly led by opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot. The greatest change in the new Knesset will be the increased representation of Palestinian parties, which are projected to win 17 to 18 seats, up from 10. Could these "soft Islamists" and Arab parties finally have a say?
For almost 50 years, Republicans have relied on evangelical Christians and, more recently, conservative Catholics, to mobilise at elections. Democrats have courted more secular voters. But in next week’s mid-term elections seven protestant clergy are running for congress as Democrats. In the heartland state of Kansas, a Methodist mega-church minister, Adam Hamilton, could make history. 
Voters in the Canadian province of Alberta rejected a plan to secede. But it hasn’t ended tension with the US. Donald Trump wants Canada to become the 51st state. A new think tank aims to promote global reconciliation, inspired by a familiar figure. 
GUESTS:
Dr Ran Porat is a researcher and lecturer at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilization, teaching Modern Middle East and Israel studies at Monash University
Sophie Hills is national political correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor.
Professor Peter Meehan heads the new Pope Francis Institute at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

Voters in the Canadian province of Alberta rejected a plan to secede. 
But it hasn’t ended tension with the US. 
Donald Trump wants Canada to become the 51st state. 
A new think tank aims to promote global reconciliation, inspired by a familiar figure. Pope Francis.
GUEST:
Professor Peter Meehan heads the new Pope Francis Institute at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

For almost 50 years, Republicans have relied on evangelical Christians, and more recently, conservative Catholics, to mobilise at elections. 
Democrats have courted more secular voters. 
But in next week’s mid-term elections, seven protestant clergy are running for congress as Democrats.
In the heartland state of Kansas, a Methodist mega-church minister, Adam Hamilton, could make history. 
GUEST:
Sophie Hills is national political correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor.

Early Israel election results show it's unlikely a Benjamin Netanyahu led government will return to power. 
But nothing is cast in stone. 
Over the next days and weeks there will be much wrangling behind the scenes to cobble together a new government, possibly led by Gadi Eiesnkot. 
And could "soft Islamists" and Arab parties have a say in a new Knesset?
GUEST:
Dr Ran Porat is a researcher and lecturer at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilization, teaching Modern Middle East and Israel studies at Monash University

Israeli settlers have again besieged the Palestinian town of Taybeh. It’s the last remaining Christian village on the West Bank. But this time the far-right Jewish youths also attacked a visiting Catholic Archbishop from France and European diplomats. Their violence has even triggered condemnation from a prominent Orthodox rabbi. 
And
It seems like every Israel election since the early 1990s, and the start of the stalled Oslo peace accords, has been historic or pivotal. But next week’s poll really does feel like a crucial choice for the country. Benjamin Netanyahu has committed his hard-right government to the expansion of Israeli territory and no statehood, ever, for Palestinians. Will Israelis endorse his vision?
Plus
Despite the tragedy of the Gaza war, civil society groups are making small but critical steps towards reconciliation. Project Rozana is a global charity, started in Australia, that brings Jews, Israelis, and Palestinians together to deliver health care in Palestine. It’s about to open a rehabilitation hospital in Hebron, backed by the Australian government.
Guests: 
Father Bashar Fawadleh is the Catholic parish priest of Taybeh.   
Dr Dahlia Scheindlin is a public opinion analyst and senior columnist with Ha’aretz.
Panos Massouris is the chief executive of Project Rozana, a global charity 
This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation