Haaretz Podcast

Esther Solomon, senior analyst on European politics and Jewish affairs, and Hagar Shezaf, London-based correspondent on British politics and the Jewish community, examine a UK political shake-up. They discuss how far-right and far-left surges framed antisemitism, why Israel and Gaza shaped votes, and the fraught choices facing Britain’s Jewish communities.

Jesse Brown, Toronto journalist and founder of Canadaland who investigates rising antisemitism, maps how October 7 reshaped Canadian Jewish life. He describes a startling surge in anti-Jewish incidents, compares Canada’s statistics with the U.S., and explores how progressive politics, policing failures, and debates over anti‑Zionism have intensified threats to Jewish communities.

Dahlia Scheindlin, political analyst and strategist focused on Israeli politics, gives a concise read on the Bennett–Lapid union. She traces why they joined, the polling and merger risks, Bennett’s right-wing positioning versus Lapid’s centrism, and the election’s stakes for democracy and occupation. Short, sharp takes on strategy, rhetoric, and political tradeoffs.

Liza Rozovsky, diplomatic correspondent covering foreign policy, and Avi Scharf, national security editor expert in maritime investigations, discuss an investigation into stolen Ukrainian grain. They trace how a ship arrival revived a probe. They explain vessel-tracking methods, ship-to-ship transfers, and the diplomatic fallout that followed.

Joshua Leifer, Haaretz columnist and historian, explains shifting U.S.-Israel dynamics and American Jewish views. He discusses how the Iran conflict reshaped U.S. politics, the fragile cease-fire and a dangerous no-war/no-peace limbo. He also covers Netanyahu’s political gamble at home and the growing Democratic push to condition or end arms sales to Israel.

Omer Benjakob, Haaretz cyber and disinformation correspondent known for probing digital influence and surveillance, breaks down Israel’s multimillion-dollar PR push. He describes how networks of faux think tanks and targeted SMS reach evangelicals. He warns these sites are engineered to feed AI chatbots and skew online narratives. He questions the ethics and effectiveness of fighting influence with influence.

Yonatan Zeigen, a social worker, mediator and Israeli peace activist who serves on the Parents Circle board and lost his mother Vivian Silver on October 7, reflects on moving from grief into full-time reconciliation work. He recalls his final calls with his mother, explains why he prefers joint Israeli-Palestinian memorials to state ceremonies, and discusses sustaining hope amid perpetual conflict.

David Issacharoff, Haaretz correspondent who reported from Budapest, gives on-the-ground analysis of Hungary’s shock election. He describes why voters ousted Orbán, shares voices from youth rallies, and outlines how the result reshapes European ties with Israel. He also draws parallels to Israeli politics and the central lesson about turning widespread anxiety into hope.

Alon-Lee Green, national co-director of Standing Together and longtime peace organizer, recounts mobilizing broad antiwar protests. He discusses strategy for uniting diverse groups, shifting Israeli public opinion, police treatment at rallies, and violent far-right intimidation against activists. Short, urgent scenes of grassroots resistance and personal risk.

Amos Harel, senior defense analyst at Haaretz with deep expertise in Israeli military and security affairs, discusses Netanyahu’s disappointment with the temporary cease-fire. He covers missed strategic goals, U.S. posture under Trump, possible concessions to Iran, and uncertainty over Lebanon and Hezbollah. He also highlights political fallout and the tense weeks ahead.