American Abstention

The routine is that if Israel doesn’t approve of a United Nation Security Council resolution, the United States vetoes it. But in March, America abstained on UNSC resolution 2728. Israeli leaders (and many Israelis) were furious. Is this a big deal and a sign of things to come? Is the allyship between these two democratic nations deteriorating? Or is this just a typical dustup between administrations, soon to be in our rear view mirror?

Should Freeing Hostages Be the Priority?

The Gaza war has challenged Israel with countless moral dilemmas. One of the most painful relates to the efforts to free the hostages. Inevitably, missions to destroy Hamas will put the lives of Israeli hostages at risk. Conversely, delays for negotiations and deals to release hostages give Hamas time to regroup or escape. How should our leaders decide to prioritize between defeating our enemies and rescuing our citizens?

How will this war be seen by history?

Israel has fought Hamas in Gaza over and over again. There was Operation Cast Lead in 2008, Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, and Operation Protective Edge in 2014 just to name a few. Thousands of rockets have been launched at civilian areas of Israel and Israel has counter attacked over and over again.

When can we critique the government? 

Israelis, and Zionists worldwide, consistently complain about whatever government is in power.  But in the middle of a war, what are the rules? Can we openly critique, complain or even demand change of a government in the middle of a national crisis? Can we afford not to?

Proportionality and International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

After defining proportionality (enjoy the audio clip from the West Wing) there is so much to debate about the ethical conduct of the current war. While it is difficult for citizens to debate these issues with limited information, it is arguably their duty to do so. Is Israel correctly protecting civilian life in Gaza? Should it be sending in more humanitarian aid? How much should international opinion be taken into account?

Israel Citizens Filling the Breach When Government Fails

This is an era when citizens around the world don’t have a tremendous amount of trust in government. Israelis and Jews around the world are still shaken by the intelligence and operational failures that led to the October 7th massacres. In the weeks and months since, many are still complaining that the work still isn’t being taken care of. We never know what’s really happening in “the room where it happens”, and there are concerns that the decisions aren’t being made well.

Are Shoah Analogies Appropriate?

We are all living with the trauma of the post October 7th world. It is often referred to as the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. But do comparisons to the Shoah help us contextualize and understand the world we live in? Or are any such comparisons not at best unhelpful, and at worst inappropriate? Can those analogies help us understand the victims? The perpetrators?

Who should be hired to do the labor in Israel?

Evidence has been uncovered that Arab laborers from the Gaza strip provided Hamas with intel on the Israeli towns where they worked. In the wake of this shocking news, Israelis are debating who to hire for many basic jobs. How should we balance insecurity with inclusivity? Should Israeli Arabs return to work in Israeli Jewish businesses? What about West Bank Arabs? Should Israel return to an old Zionist idea, “Avoda Ivrit” – “Jewish Labor”?

What will happen after the war?

When the dust settles, what will Gaza look like? What would be success for Israelis? What could make a better future for Gazans? While the war is far from over, the question is already relevant.

Should Israel Fight Hezbollah?

While most of our attention is on the war in Gaza, there has been constant combat on our northern border. Will the battle with Hezbollah heat up to a full scale war? Should it? While war is always horrible, should Israel extend the conflict and eliminate Hezbollah as it has pledged to do to Hamas?

What will winning the war look like?

This episode was recorded before the deal to recover hostages was announced.

Has Israel set realistic goals in its war with Hamas? What would victory look like? Is it possible to eliminate Hamas as an organization? As an idea? Can the hostages be rescued? Can Israel win the public relations battle? Should it?

How did we get here?

In this gripping podcast episode, Calev, Alan, and Matt delve into the intricate factors that led to the October 7 massacre. Was it a result of tactical errors, intelligence failures, or misinterpretations of Hamas’ intentions? Or does the root cause trace back to Israel’s strategic decision to disengage from Gaza in 2005?

Special: Israel at War – Episode 3

Crisis on Campus

In this third special current event episode, Calev, Liel and Mike, discuss what is happening outside of Israel in college campuses during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. How should students understand the anti-Israel protests? What should they do?

We hope these special episodes help our listeners understand and process these difficult events to build our resilience. Together we will find the light at the end of the tunnel. Am Yisrael Chai!

Israel at War 

In this second of two special current event episodes, Mike, Alan, Mordechai and Jordana discuss what may come next in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. They share their feelings and observations in this difficult time. We hope these special episodes help our listeners understand and process these difficult events in order to build up our own resilience. Together we will find the light at the end of the tunnel. Am Yisrael Chai!

Israel at War 

In this first of two special current event episodes, Calev, Liel and Matt discuss where we are on day 4 of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. They share their feelings and observations in this difficult time. We hope these special episodes help our listeners understand and process these difficult events in order to build up our own resilience. Together we will find the light at the end of the tunnel. Am Yisrael Chai!

Israel faces a complex dilemma when it comes to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. On one hand, Israel maintains strong historical ties with Russia, particularly regarding the Russian-speaking Jewish community. Russia has also been a key player in regional stability, particularly in Syria, where Israel has concerns about Iranian influence. Israel has generally tried to maintain a delicate balancing act between the United States and Russia, its two major allies, to safeguard its security interests.

The debate over drafting the Haredim, or ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Israel, has been a contentious issue in the country for several decades. At its core, the debate revolves around the question of whether or not Haredi men should be subject to compulsory military service like the rest of the Israeli population.

Type the word “apartheid” into a google search bar and the second search that pops up is “apartheid Israel”. We’ve all heard the accusation. It is also a demonstrably false descriptor for the State of Israel. This ridiculous calumny may make a nasty sound-bite sized accusation. But for anyone genuinely trying to understand the conflict, it clearly fails to explain anything in an honest way.

Jews have been living outside of the land of Israel for thousands of years. It is a historical truth that this process started by enemies driving them into exile. But these diaspora communities settled in, expanded and continued to migrate around the globe for over two millennia.

In the 20th century, Jews chose two strategies for building a thriving Jewish future.

There is an old saying that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” We deeply believe that knowing the history of Zionist debate brings a richness of perspective and understanding to the issues that we face today. So we submit for your approval one of the first deep debates that divided the Zionist world.

But is America a necessary ally for Israel? What would happen if that relationship changed? Could Israel survive and thrive if for some reason it lost America as an ally?

What does the removal of the unreasonableness grounds mean for the Supreme Court? For Israeli law, Democracy and society? How should we understand where we are now? What should we expect for the future?

There are several factors that can make it complicated for diaspora Jews to express their opinions on Israeli politics. Overall, these factors can create a challenging environment for diaspora Jews who wish to express their opinions on Israeli politics. However, it is important to remember that open and respectful dialogue is essential for building understanding and finding solutions to complex issues. How do we resolve this tension?

What about the current debate has caused it to spill into withholding of service by the IDF’s most loyal soldiers? And more to the point, are they doing more harm or good with this drastic approach to protest? What are the arguments for and against this tactic? Join us to find out!

Israel’s Nation-State Law, also known as the Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, was passed by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in July 2018. The law enshrines Israel as a Jewish state and makes Hebrew the country’s official language, while downgrading Arabic from an official language to one with “special status.”

Liel moderated this debate between Matt who fears the end is near, and Mike who argues that this too shall pass.

Should the modern State of Israel be held to a Biblical standard, or is it enough to be free in our land like everyone else?

Polling over the last few years shows growing support among Israelis for a professional, rather than a conscripted army. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has had a mandatory conscription policy since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. All Israeli citizens, with few exceptions, are required to serve in the IDF for a period of 2-3 years for men, and 2 years for women, after reaching the age of 18. So why, in recent years, has there been a growing debate over whether Tzahal should continue its draft policy?

Is it worth debating the possibility of a Two-State Solution? If there is to be peace between Israelis and Palestinians, do we need to look for other models? Or is this still the basic approach we should maintain?

When we looked on Google to define indigenous peoplehood, it said it means “inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.” Does this concept apply to Jews in Israel?

The main issue at the center of the debate is the balance of power between the legislative and judicial branches of government. Proponents of judicial reform argue that the current system gives the judiciary too much power, and that it needs to be reined in to prevent it from overstepping its bounds. They argue that the current system has resulted in a lack of accountability and has allowed the judiciary to interfere in areas that should be the purview of the legislature.

Always get as much Hillel Halkin content as you possibly can. If you want to know why, listen to our current episode. Alan rejoined Mike for this one. They discussed Ahad Ha’am’s arguments with Herzl, but it’s really about why the history of Zionism is so relevant to us today. Normally we discuss current events, but a scholar like Hillel reminds us that we need to be informed by our past. Don’t miss this one!

Zionism’s founders wanted to change Jewish character and culture. In 2019, the data is in, and we can now see that they succeeded. (although not necessarily in the ways they intended) In this important episode, Alan and Mike interview Shmuel Rosner.

Well, there goes the government. It looks like we’re headed to the 5th elections in under 4 years. How did this happen? Why did this happen? What happens next? Mike is joined by Calev Ben-Dor and new team member Mordechai Cohen. Join us!

Is the Israeli government about to change the status of West Bank settlements in a political fight? What does that mean for the almost half a million Jews who live there? Why are right wing parties endangering the settlement movement? Will this receive international attention? What is the plan here? How will all of this mess turn out. Mike and Liel try to figure out what’s going on while explaining it to you… and themselves. Join us!

Why are posts about Israel on social media so distorted and strange? What can we do about it? How should Israel educators discuss these issues with their students? Social media and PR expert Emily Schrader joined Liel and Mike for a discussion filled with thought provoking insights and perspective. This episode is a must listen! Join us!

Andrew Getraer recently stepped down from his 20 year position. He was the director of one of the largest Hillels in America. How has Jewish life changed on campus? What are the challenges that lie ahead. Join us!

How serious is the challenge of food insecurity in Israel? What is being done about it? How can we help? Joseph Gitler of Leket joined Liel and MIke to discuss the challenge in what turned out to be a fun, down-to-earth conversation. Join us!

Shalom lappin fears that American Jewry is facing dangers ahead. Liel and Mike invited him to the podcast to discuss his insightful article in the Fathom Journal. Is American Democracy under threat from radicals on the left and the right? What does that mean for American Jews? What are the relevant precedents from Jewish History? This extra long episode is challenging and thought-provoking. Join us!

There was a recent dust up in the headlines over Israel designating 6 Palestinian NGOs as terror organizations. Mike and Matt asked NGO Monitor’s Director of Communications, Itai Reuveni, to explain the story. What are NGOs? Who is funding them? If defending human rights is a good thing, why are these organizations problematic? What should be done about this problem? Join us for the enlightening background to this confusing news story.

Dr. Daniel Rose is the Director Of Education at The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust. Around the anniversary of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ passing, Daniel joined Leil and Mike for a moving and wide-ranging conversation. What role did Israel play in Rabbi Sacks’ life? What is the difference between being a Zionist who is religious and a religious Zionist? How did Rabbi Sacks differ in his understanding of Religious Zionism from so many in Israel today? What was his dream for Israel’s future? Join us on the Israel Conversation podcast!

We all know individual aliya stories. But returning guest Marc Rosenberg, of Nefesh B’Nefesh, helped Liel and Mike get a sense of the big picture. How has Covid affected aliya? How has aliya changed over time and history? Do more Jews move into or out of Israel? Join us for this engaging and insightful discussion of these and so many more questions!

The Israeli government is turning it attention to the high crime rate in Arab cities. Why is the violent crime rate so high? How does it affect broader Israeli societies? How do journalists uncover the facts within these stories? Liel and Mike spoke to Times of Israel’s Emanuel Fabian to get a better understanding of this ongoing Israeli problem. Join us!

United States funding for Israel’s Iron Dome program was called into question by some Democrats. What do these complications mean for the relationship between the two countries? What does it mean for American politics? What are the Zionist implications? And why is twitter so full of bad takes? Benji joined Liel and Mike to hash out these questions in a surprisingly wide ranging conversation. Join us!

Calev Ben Dor joined Liel and Mike to forecast the new Jewish year 5782. What stories should we be watching for? What might surprise us? What are leaders worried about, and what should we look forward to? Join us!

This week, Liel and Mike spoke to Lazar Berman, the Times of Israel’s diplomatic reporter, about his unexpected Shabbat in Washington D.C. with Prime Minister Bennet’s entourage. What was the experience like? Is it hard for a journalist to become part of the story? What did Prime Minister Bennet accomplish? What did they hear off the record? (also, what does “off the record” really mean?) To hear about all of this and more, join us!

The unfolding chaos of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is painful to watch. What does it mean to the region? What does it mean to Israel? When we have questions about the region, we turn to Geo-politics expert and master educator Miri Eisen. Mike and Liel asked her for context, perspective, and any possible reasons for optimism. Listen and learn about Israel on this week’s podcast!

This summer, Israel’s Olympic team brought back two gold medals (for an all time total of 4!) What does it mean for such a young country? How is the heterogeneous nature of our society at play here? What were the political and cultural conflicts caused by joining this international event? For a run through and analysis of what the Israelis were talking about, Mike and Liel discuss the social consequences of this summer’s Olympics. Listen and learn about Israel on this week’s podcast!

In this extra long Israel podcast episode, listener favorite Haviv Rettig Gur joins Mike and new co-host Liel Zahavi-Asa to discuss his recent article about antisemitism. Why do Israelis struggle to understand antisemitism? What role does antisemitism play in Israeli politics? What did Zionists get right or wrong about antisemitism? Is optimism unrealistic? For this and so much more listen to the #1 Israel podcast now!

The new Israeli government is planning to change religion and state rules in Israel. Kashrut (Kosher) certification is the first item on that agenda. Benji and Matt invited Wendy Barrish and Yochi Rappeport from Women of the Wall to discuss their work, and what they think is possible given the new political horizon. Listen now to the number one Israel podcast! 

The recent conflict in Gaza led to difficult conversations. Not least for liberal American Jews. Mike and Benji invited Rabbi Bradley Artson to discuss his open letter to Rabbinical students about framing those conversations with empathy. Where are liberal American Jews today when it comes to Israeli current events? How can we communicate productively when we disagree passionately? How can our different perspectives enrich us, rather than divide us? What do these difficult conversations say about us? What do they mean for our future? Listen and learn about Israel on this week’s podcast!

How can the Israeli government coalition work if its members are so different? How did they handle their first week in power? What signs are there for the future? In this episode, Mike, Benji and Matt come together to share their perspectives on this new experiment in Israeli democracy. Listen now to the number one Israel podcast! 

Blake Flayton helped form the New Zionist Congress in response to growing antisemitism on college campuses. What are his goals? What is really happening on campus? Why is there a rise in antisemitism on the left? What does all of this mean for the future? Mike and Benji invited him to the Israel podcast to find out what he’s doing and what his goals are. For this and so much more listen to the #1 Israel podcast now!

After four elections in two years, a new coalition agreement has been formed! But will it actually work? Who are the very different parties that have agreed to join? What are they getting out of it? Is this good for Israeli culture and democracy? Alan returns as a guest to hash it all out with Mike and Benji. Listen and learn about Israel on this week’s podcast!

Before the current crisis and today’s ceasefire, the conversation about Israel was already hard for us to grasp. Why is there so much focus on, and misunderstanding about, Israel and Zionism? How do we deal with it all? We invited journalist, writer and translator, Eylon Levy, to speak to a group of Rimon students. The past couple of weeks have been hard to deal with for all of us. We are sharing Eylon’s international Zoom session with you this week, because we think it helps put things into perspective. Listen now to the number one Israel podcast!

Why the rockets from Gaza? Why are there race riots in Israeli cities? Why does social media and journalism distort the story? What should we do to maintain our equilibrium? Mike recorded his class at Midreshet HaRova unpacking these questions. Listen to the first half hour as Mike gives his personal understanding and perspective. Then listen in for the Q&A as long as you like. Because it was recorded live in a classroom, the sound quality may not be quite the same as usual. Mike repeated questions from students, so if you have trouble hearing them it will be made clear. Listen now to the number one Israel podcast! 

Learn More About Masa’s Israel Podcast

The Israel Conversation Podcast – formerly known as the Makom Israel Teacher’s Lounge – has been a lively discussion and debate on everything Israel since 2016.