Daily Podcasts Video Research

Haaretz Weekly

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.
12 May
'Qatar, please give Sara Netanyahu a plane too, in exchange for ending the war and saving hostages'
Amir Tibon argues that the recent release of American-Israeli hostage Idan Alexander amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict highlights U.S. pressure on Netanyahu and questions Israel's commitment to its remaining hostages. He provocatively suggests that additional concessions, like offering a plane to Sara Netanyahu, could end the war and release all hostages.
8 May
'The IDF's top brass hope Trump intervenes and prevents a massive new Gaza operation'
Amos Harel and Alison Kaplan-Sommer explore Israel's escalating military tensions with Gaza and the political intricacies involving U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing potential regional consequences. The discussion highlights the challenges Netanyahu's government faces amid multiple fronts in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
6 May
'Synagogues abroad need protection from antisemitic threats. Here in Israel, we were assaulted by Jews'
Orly Erez-Likhovski shares a firsthand account of the violence she experienced during a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony at a Reform synagogue in Ra'anana and expresses concern over the lack of condemnation from political leaders. She emphasizes the importance of standing firm against extremism and highlights the broader implications for democracy and religious pluralism in Israel.
28 Apr
'They weren't only soldiers. They were lovers and football fans, they were human beings'
In response to ongoing conflict, a grassroots project in Israel covers public spaces with stickers of fallen soldiers, highlighting their personal lives beyond their military roles. This project represents a broader attempt to preserve memory in diverse ways, involving families and friends, and sparks discussions about public commemoration.
21 Apr
I get called naive every day after October 7. But I won’t stop trying to build Israeli-Palestinian peace'
Haaretz Weekly's episode features peace activist Ittay Flescher discussing the challenges of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue after October 7 and his commitment to fostering understanding amid skepticism and hostilities. Flescher emphasizes the importance of non-dominant narratives and shared humanity in progressing towards a peaceful coexistence.
15 Apr
What can Israelis and Palestinians learn from post-conflict Ireland?
Drawing on her experience with the Northern Ireland peace process, Bronagh Hinds discusses potential avenues for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation despite a diplomatic rift between Israel and Ireland. Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, Hinds suggests that civil society and women's groups can lead meaningful dialogue, even amid ongoing violence and trauma.
10 Apr
Jon Polin, father of slain hostage Hersh: Jews should 'lean in to the pain' this Passover
Jon Polin, father of hostage victim Hersh Goldberg-Polin, discusses the profound impact of his son's death and the captivity of 59 hostages on celebrating Passover, urging Jews to emphasize the somber realities over festivities. Highlighted is his criticism of Israeli leaders, urging substantial action over symbolic gestures, as well as his proposals for meaningful Passover rituals, including placing a lemon on the Seder table to symbolize the hostages' struggle.
7 Apr
'I don't know of any IDF soldier who paid a price for killing innocents in Gaza'
Nir Hasson, a journalist for Haaretz, provides a firsthand account of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, revealing a lack of accountability in the Israeli Defense Forces' attacks on civilians and aid workers. Moreover, he highlights the impending humanitarian crisis due to food supply restrictions and the growing settler violence in the West Bank.
3 Apr
Israel’s nightmare scenario: 'Netanyahu is up to his neck in criminal investigations as war rages'
Amid escalating conflict with Hamas and internal party turmoil, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intensified scrutiny due to a new scandal dubbed "Qatargate" involving allegations of his aides' connections to Qatari interests. The episode explores the complexities of Netanyahu's political maneuvers, which include abruptly changing a Shin Bet leadership appointment and trying to manage the implications of his aides' arrests while significant security challenges remain unresolved.
1 Apr
'In Israel, we now have crumbs of democracy, not real democracy'
Dr. Meital Pinto discusses the implications of recent Israeli legislative changes that could weaken judicial independence by politicizing the Judicial Appointments Committee and potentially undermine the integrity of future elections. She expresses concern about the potential barring of Arab political parties under amendments to the Basic Law, highlighting this as a threat to Israeli democracy.
28 Mar
‘Qatargate’: Explaining the scandal that has Netanyahu panicked
Mounting evidence suggests close aides to Prime Minister Netanyahu were possibly involved with Qatari interests, amidst allegations of Qatar's financial support to Hamas prior to and during the October 7 attacks on Israel. This has led to investigations and political maneuvers within Israel, as well as questions regarding Netanyahu's decisions to fire security officials leading investigations which could unravel further details of Qatargate.
26 Mar
'A fiasco and an embarrassment': How Israel's antisemitism conference went sideways
The International Conference on Combating Antisemitism in Jerusalem, organized by Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry, faced severe backlash due to its guest list, featuring European far-right politicians, leading to withdrawals by mainstream Jewish leaders. Concurrently, mass protests in Israel reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the Netanyahu government's policies, preparing for potential large-scale strikes as public discontent grows.
22 Mar
'If I need to talk to the devil to get the hostages out, I will'
Ruby Chen, father of an Israeli-American soldier held hostage in Gaza, details his ongoing efforts to secure his son's release amid renewed conflict between Israel and Hamas. He criticizes both the Israeli government's lack of prioritization for hostage recovery and the necessity of appealing to external powers, like the U.S., for intervention.
18 Mar
'Mahmoud Khalil is no Mother Teresa - but there are laws in America'
Judy Maltz and Yossi Melman discuss significant issues impacting Israeli and American Jewish communities, including the Trump administration's crackdown on Mahmoud Khalil and the controversial firing of Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar. These events highlight complex intersections between political decisions and the ongoing struggles faced by Jewish and pro-Palestinian factions in both the United States and Israel.
16 Mar
From Tel Aviv to the Venice Biennale and back: How an Israeli artist took a stand on Gaza
Israeli artist Ruth Patir discusses her video installation "(M)otherland," initially intended for the Venice Biennale but kept behind closed doors due to ongoing conflicts involving Israel. Her decision not to display the work publicly was aimed at showcasing a protest against the Israeli government's actions during the Gaza War and her solidarity with affected hostages.
10 Mar
'Trump is frustrated with Netanyahu so he pushed through a back channel with Hamas'
Amos Harel explores the political repercussions and military complexities of the Trump administration's direct negotiations with Hamas, contrasting this approach with the Biden administration's strategies. He also delves into the implications of recent events in Israel, including the resignation of IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari and the findings of an IDF probe into past failures.
5 Mar
Peter Beinart: 'I feared ethnic cleansing on a large scale, but I couldn't imagine Gaza'
Peter Beinart discusses the moral and political implications of the recent destruction in Gaza, critiquing widespread support for mass expulsions among Israeli and American centrists. He argues this reflects a larger moral failing within the Jewish community to address Palestinian suffering and calls for a reevaluation of Israel's ethical and political premises.
2 Mar
'Ironically, Israel's far-right extremists are more normalized than Germany's far right'
Journalists Vera Weidenbach and David Issacharoff discuss the implications of the German election results, focusing on the rise of the far-right AfD party and its Nazi roots. They explore the contrasting responses in Israel, particularly the Israeli government's support for Germany's pro-Israel conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
26 Feb
ADL head Jonathan Greenblatt: ‘I should have framed my tweet about Elon Musk’s salute differently’
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, discusses the impact of antisemitism in light of recent events, emphasizing that unchecked dehumanization can lead to violence. He clarifies his stance on anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism and addresses the controversy regarding his response to Elon Musk's controversial gesture.
23 Feb
Former U.S. ambassador Dan Shapiro: ‘Trump’s Gaza plan is not serious and it’s not going to happen’
Former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, discusses the intricacies of the hostages-for-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the necessity of removing Hamas from Gaza. He critiques Trump's unrealistic Gaza plan and highlights the urgent need to prioritize hostage releases while evaluating potential post-war governance scenarios for Gaza.