Haaretz Podcast

Nagham Zbeedat, a journalist covering Palestinian affairs, and Liza Rozovsky, a Haaretz diplomatic correspondent, delve into the skepticism felt by Gazans towards Trump's Board of Peace. Zbeedat explains that many see it as another form of U.S. occupation, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation that forces acceptance of poor conditions. Rozovsky discusses the reluctance of Western European nations to engage, adding complexity to an already fraught geopolitical landscape. Both guests highlight the absence of Palestinian voices in critical decision-making as a major issue.

California State Senator Scott Wiener, a frontrunner for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat, discusses his controversial shift in labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. He explains the backlash he faced from the Jewish community and reflects on his hesitation during a debate. Wiener emphasizes the importance of addressing such serious accusations while recognizing his role within the Jewish community. He advocates for balancing criticism of the Israeli government with support for Israel’s right to exist, and shares hopes to focus on domestic issues as his campaign progresses.

Judy Maltz, Haaretz Jewish World editor, dives into the evolving narrative around Birthright Israel, celebrating its 25th anniversary. She reveals that many young Jews now feel distant from Israel, largely uncomfortable with its recent actions. Maltz discusses the troubling shift in participant demographics, noting an influx of those already connected to Jewish identity. In a striking contrast, she highlights young leftist Jews who choose an impactful route—volunteering in West Bank villages to provide protective presence against settler violence, redefining engagement with Israel.

Ben Samuels, Washington correspondent for Haaretz, and Amos Harel, senior defense analyst at the same outlet, dive into Netanyahu's surprising claim that Israel could reduce U.S. military aid to zero within a decade. They discuss the implications of this announcement amid growing skepticism from both sides of the U.S. political spectrum regarding aid levels. The conversation unfolds around AIPAC's potential identity crisis if military funding diminishes, and the impact on Israel's security and defense strategy as it navigates a changing political landscape.

Arash Azizi, a lecturer and author specializing in Iranian politics, joins to analyze the latest wave of protests in Iran sparked by economic turmoil. He highlights the intense anger and desperation among protesters, noting a lack of unified political leadership. Azizi discusses the fractured opposition, including the role of Reza Pahlavi, and argues that change in Iran may not come from a classic revolution but rather through internal shifts. He also examines the implications of these protests for regional stability and global politics.

Esther Solomon, the Editor-in-chief of Haaretz English, dives into the significant role of independent media and the backlash surrounding the antisemitism conference in Jerusalem. Peter Beinart, a journalist and author, shares his evolving views on Israel post-Gaza war, expressing concern over moral dilemmas and the impact on Jewish identity. The conversation highlights global antisemitism and political shifts, while offering personal stories from affected communities, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and response in a troubled year.

Amos Harel, a Senior Haaretz defense analyst, discusses the intense 12-day military exchange with Iran and assesses the IDF's performance during the crisis. Bar Peleg dives into the Qatargate scandal, revealing how political payments influenced perceptions while the Gaza war escalated. The conversation highlights the shocking realities of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the pressures faced by wartime leadership, and unexpected diplomacy from Trump that led to a ceasefire. Together, they provide a riveting overview of Israel's tumultuous year.

France’s ambassador to Israel Frédéric Journès said on the Haaretz Podcast that any postwar Gaza plan must acknowledge that completely disarming and ridding the Strip of Hamas militia members is not an achievable goal.  “You're not going to eliminate all of those people, so you basically need to find them a job in local police, find them a little job in society and de-radicalize them to the greatest extent possible,” he contended. This is possible, he said, because over the course of the war, Israel “got rid of the leadership." Journès, who has been France’s envoy to Israel since July 2023, sat down for a wide-ranging interview with host Allison Kaplan Sommer and Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Liza Rozovsky, discussing Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and antisemitism in France. The ambassador also explains why he believes the four countries strengthened by the past two years of war are Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt.  Pressed on the podcast as to whether he supports renewing strikes on Iran aimed at its ballistic missile program, which Israel reportedly desires, Journès replied, “I'm not saying that. I will see what will happen.” Read more: Opinion by Frédéric Journès | Declaring a Palestinian State Is a Blow to Terror Opinion by Frédéric Journès | Israel, Help Us Protect Our Seas and Oceans U.S. Leaning Toward Setting Up Palestinian-run Regime for Gaza Before International Forces Saudi, French and U.S. Officials Discuss Hezbollah Disarmament With Lebanese Army Chief France Demands Heightened Security Measures at French Consulate in Jerusalem After Israeli MKs Harass StafferSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan Engel, the longtime executive director of the 92nd Street Y, shares her insights on navigating cultural conversations post-October 7. She discusses the Y's journey of self-reflection regarding Jewish identity and the importance of civil discourse, even when opinions clash. Engel emphasizes the necessity of setting 'red lines' against hate speech while remaining open to diverse viewpoints. She also recounts the challenges and triumphs of expanding the Y's online presence and fostering intimate, meaningful dialogues on contentious issues.

Joshua Zeman, a documentary filmmaker known for his gripping true-crime stories, shares the harrowing tale behind his film, "Checkpoint Zoo." He details the rescue of nearly 5,000 zoo animals from Feldman EcoPark in war-torn Ukraine, led by a compassionate Jewish oligarch, Oleksandr Feldman. Zeman explores the bravery of volunteers who risked their lives to save these creatures amidst bombings and chaos. He also discusses the complex relationship between art and politics during wartime, making a poignant case for preserving humanity in crisis.