Daily Podcasts Video Research

18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers

A new podcast by 18Forty interviewing Israel’s leading voices to explore critical questions on Zionism, the Israel-Hamas War, democracy, morality, Judaism, peace, Israel’s future, and so much more. We introduce you to fresh perspectives and challenging ideas about Israel — from across the political and religious spectrum — that you won’t find anywhere else.
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24 Mar
Ruby Chen: My Son is Likely a Deceased Hostage. Don't Forget Him in Gaza.
Ruby Chen, father of Sgt. Itay Chen believed to be a deceased hostage of Hamas, shares the family's ongoing struggle to bring home their son, holding out hope that Itay's fate may differ from the IDF's declaration. He details the emotional toll, the family's refusal to sit shiva awaiting Itay's return, and the lingering hope that has enveloped their lives, transcending into a broader call for action and advocacy, including appeals to U.S. administrations.
17 Mar
Jonathan Dekel-Chen: My Son was a Hostage in Gaza for 43 Million Seconds. He Felt Every One.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen speaks about his son Sagui's 498-day captivity by Hamas, Sagui's eventual release, and the ongoing struggle for other hostages' freedom. This heartfelt discussion dives deep into the family's experiences, efforts to maintain hope, and the broader implications on Israeli society and governance.
3 Mar
Yossi Klein Halevi: What’s Next: The Future of Liberal Zionism (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)
Yossi Klein Halevi reflects on the implications of October 7th for Israel and liberal Zionism post-Tragedy, urging a recalibration of Israeli-Palestinian relations amidst global and internal challenges to the Zionist ethos. His discussion explores the existential stakes for Israel and critiques on both political sides regarding the preservation of a Jewish state while probing possibilities for reconciliation with the Palestinian people.
24 Feb
Yishai Fleisher: ‘Israel is not meant to be equal for all — it’s a nation-state’
Yishai Fleisher argues that Israel, as a nation-state, should prioritize its Jewish citizens while offering limited rights to non-Jews, aligning his views with traditional interpretations of a nation-state. Fleisher discusses the importance of strength and leadership in maintaining Israel's security and dismisses full democratic equality as impractical within a Middle Eastern context.
17 Feb
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner: 'Before Trump, I believed that Gaza had to be controlled by Israel'
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the head of Shurat HaDin—Israel Law Center, discusses the moral complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and her view of Gaza's future influenced by Trump's plans. She advocates for a stronger Israeli military presence in Gaza and supports prioritizing Jewish traditions over democratic principles in certain contexts.
10 Feb
Shani Taragin: 'The ideal is for the Jewish People to live in the Land of Israel'
Rabbanit Shani Taragin shares her deep connection to Israel as the homeland for the Jewish people, discussing the challenges and ideals of religious Zionism. She navigates complex issues such as the release of Palestinian prisoners, the role of Zionism, and the delicate balance between hope and fear for Israel's future.
3 Feb
Chuck Freilich: 'Netanyahu needs to step down or be voted out'
Chuck Freilich argues that Prime Minister Netanyahu's governance failures, especially the October 7th incident and lack of a post-war plan for Gaza, necessitate a change in leadership. He critiques Netanyahu's prioritization of personal political survival over national interests and emphasizes the importance of creating a sustainable future for Gaza, involving the Palestinian Authority.
27 Jan
Rula Daood: 'We are closest to peace at times of war'
Rula Daood, co-director of Standing Together, discusses how she navigates her identity as a Christian Palestinian activist in Israel, emphasizing equality and peace between Israelis and Palestinians. She critiques both the Israeli government and Hamas, urging for political solutions and stronger Palestinian representation.
20 Jan
Natan Sharansky: 'If you don't have faith or Zionism, your grandchildren will not be Jewish'
Natan Sharansky discusses the challenges faced by the Jewish people due to antisemitism and assimilation, highlighting how Israel can serve as a unifying solution. Drawing from his personal experiences as a former Soviet refusenik and a key Israeli figure, he addresses complex questions related to Zionism, Israel's military and political strategies, and the cultural identity of Jewish people worldwide.
13 Jan
Shayna Goldberg: Inside Israel’s Religious Zionist Community (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)
Shayna Goldberg discusses the distinct features and evolving dynamics within Israel's Religious Zionist community, highlighting the differences between Israeli and American religious life. Goldberg explores themes such as the roles of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rav Kook, cultural attitudes towards halacha, and the participation of women in the Israeli army.
6 Jan
Jonathan Gribetz: Teaching the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)
Jonathan Gribetz, a professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton, discusses the nuanced and evolving discourse between Jews and Arabs since the infancy of Zionism. He emphasizes the importance of understanding history to explore potential reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
30 Dec 2024
Michael Melchior: 'We can make peace with the whole of the Arab and Muslim world'
Rabbi Michael Melchior, a renowned Jewish leader and activist, discusses his unwavering belief in the possibility of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, despite the complexities of the ongoing conflict. Emphasizing the potential for religious peacebuilding, Melchior highlights efforts to engage with religious leaders on both sides and stresses the importance of internal unity within Israeli society.
23 Dec 2024
Daniel Gordis: ‘The great failure of the hostages is enormous’
Daniel Gordis discusses the enormity of the failure to secure hostages from Gaza, emphasizing it as Israel's most significant shortcoming despite potential incapability to secure a deal. He explores various critical topics surrounding Israeli politics, the IDF's morality, the Iranian threat, and the future of Zionism and Israeli democracy.
16 Dec 2024
Khitam Abu Bader: 'Violence is never the answer'
Khitam Abu Bader, a Bedouin social activist, emphasizes peacebuilding and coexistence amid the complexities of Israeli and Palestinian identities and ongoing conflict. Through her work in the Negev and on regional development programs, Abu Bader strives to foster dialogue and shared humanity among diverse communities in Israel.
9 Dec 2024
Moshe Koppel: 'We won the war in Gaza'
Moshe Koppel, a prominent Israeli political thinker and computer scientist, argues that Israel has substantially weakened Hamas, thus winning the war in Gaza. He discusses the complexities of Israeli statehood and democracy, while expressing confidence in Israel's military and the country's strategic handling of regional threats.
2 Dec 2024
Einat Wilf: 'Jews are never allowed to win, and Arabs are never allowed to lose'
Einat Wilf, a former Israeli Knesset member, discusses Israel's conflict with Hamas, arguing that the core issue is the ideology of 'Palestinianism,' which she believes seeks the non-existence of the Jewish state. She criticizes the Israeli government's handling of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of identifying and defeating this ideology to achieve lasting peace.
25 Nov 2024
Sivan Rahav-Meir: 'When it comes to terrorism, you can't compromise' (Re-Run)
Sivan Rahav-Meir, a prominent Israeli journalist and religious figure, discusses Israel's challenges and successes in its battle against Hamas and reflects on the evolution of her religious views. She emphasizes the importance of Judaism and unity in Israeli identity, highlighting how recent events have brought clarity and solidarity among Israelis.
18 Nov 2024
Yaakov Katz: 'The Israeli military has fought in probably the most humane way possible'
Yaakov Katz emphasizes the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) commitment to humane warfare while critiquing Western media's portrayal of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite acknowledging the complexities of the conflict and Israel's military and political strategies, Katz argues that long-term peace requires clear political resolutions beyond military action.
11 Nov 2024
Uri Zaki: "The war has to end in Gaza'
Uri Zaki, a left-wing Zionist thinker, grapples with the consequences of Israel's prolonged campaign against Hamas in Gaza, advocating for a political shift toward peace negotiations. Central to the discussion are the complexities of Israeli democracy, military ethics, and the crucial need for a Palestinian alternative to secure regional stability.
4 Nov 2024
Nechumi Yaffe: 'I hate the idea that we are being killed and need to kill'
Nechumi Yaffe, a Haredi woman deeply involved in Israel's Religious Left, discusses the complex intersection of her identities and her role in Israeli social dynamics. She reflects on Israel's societal challenges post-October 7, touching on military service, political reform, and religious transformation.