Haaretz Podcast

Shlomo Ben-Ami, former Israeli Foreign Minister and a professor dedicated to the two-state solution, offers his candid views on the ongoing Gaza conflict and international responses. He critiques the push for Palestinian state recognition, calling it a sign of despair rather than a viable solution. Ben-Ami reflects on how the conflict has morphed from a 'legitimate war of self-defense' into 'merciless, cruel vengeance,' and explains why 'total victory' over Hamas is, in his eyes, unattainable.

Rabbi Yosef Blau, an 86-year-old Orthodox educator and former leader of Religious Zionists of America, finds himself at the center of controversy after authoring an open letter signed by 80 rabbis calling for action on Gaza's humanitarian crisis. He passionately discusses the shift in religious Zionism towards the extreme right and the moral imperative for compassion. Judy Maltz, a Haaretz correspondent, sheds light on the backlash faced by Blau and others who advocate for progressive stances, emphasizing the tension between traditional beliefs and social responsibility.

While the world has been focused on the devastation in Gaza, "the annexation of the West Bank has become reality," Hagar Shezaf, Haaretz's West Bank correspondent, said on the Haaretz Podcast. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Shezaf explained, has created a system "that is accelerating" the process of integrating the West Bank into state institutions "while keeping the empty shell of the Civil Administration that represents military rule." Shezaf is stepping down from her beat for a year of studies after six years of covering what she describes as a "deteriorating" situation in the territories, that is generally neglected by the Israeli media. Despite settlement expansion continuing apace, violent extremist settlers becoming increasingly bold, and the direct and indirect displacement of Palestinian civilians from their homes by the Israeli military, "the West Bank is totally uncovered by Israeli news journalists," Shezaf said. Most recently, her reporting called attention to the uprooting of 3,100 trees by the IDF alongside a village after an attempted terror attack by one of its residents. Shezaf described it as an "outrageous" act, and the army's attempts to justify it, she said, "cannot convince me that this is not collective punishment."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yarden Michaeli, a dedicated journalist at Haaretz, dives deep into the harrowing situation in Gaza’s hospitals, particularly the alarming rates of malnutrition among children. He shares shocking accounts from pediatric wards, where youngsters exhibit signs of severe starvation. Michaeli discusses the challenges of reporting under duress and the disconnect between official narratives and harsh realities. His emotional virtual tours reveal the dire humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and action amidst ongoing suffering.

Israel is approaching the “horrifying” position of becoming a pariah state due to the Gaza war, former MK and Middle East expert Ksenia Svetlova said on the Haaretz Podcast, expressing deep worry that it was dangerously close to following in the footsteps of her native Russia.  Western nations' refusal to cooperate with Russia due to its aggression in Ukraine, she noted, means Moscow is now lagging behind in the fields of technology, science and beyond “by decades” –  and Israel could easily share that status soon. “A crackdown on civil society in a way that it happened in Russia will indeed deem Israel to the same level, and will impose on it the very unwanted and frankly horrifying status of a pariah," she said. Svetlova believes that without any “real pressure” from U.S. President Donald Trump’s White House, she is doubtful Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reject any agreement that would end the conflict and halt the current Gaza City offensive.  Ongoing war, she noted, “is in the classic authoritarian playbook.”  Before that conversation, Haaretz’s Linda Dayan reports on last Sunday’s massive anti-war strike and demonstrations in support of a hostage deal/cease-fire.  Although the protest had no apparent effect on the Netanyahu government’s policies, she said, organizers “felt it was successful in that it showed that no matter what the country’s leadership says, the people are behind them, the people are united in what they want. To see a literal big percentage of the national population come out to make sure that people here and abroad know that this is what they believe – that really bolstered people.” Read more: Analysis by Ksenia Svetlova | Beyond Trump-Putin Optics, Zelenskyy Finds Ukraine's Opportunity in What Went Awry in Alaska Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Flood Tel Aviv Demanding a Hostage Deal to End Gaza War Marching on the Gaza Border, Hostage Families Say: Gaza Takeover Plan Is a Death SentenceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shay Ringel, a culture reporter for Haaretz, dives into the challenges Israeli musicians face as they navigate artistic expression in a politically charged atmosphere. The podcast discusses a bold petition signed by 1,200 artists, urging soldiers to resist unlawful orders amid the Gaza conflict. Ringel highlights the generational divide, noting that younger artists largely abstain from the petition while older musicians confront severe backlash. He recounts a notable case of an artist retracting his signature to save a concert, illustrating the difficult balance between activism and career.

In this discussion, Amos Harel, a senior security analyst at Haaretz, delves into the mounting tensions between Israeli leadership and military officials regarding the invasion of Gaza City. He describes Netanyahu’s determination to expand military operations despite overwhelming fatigue among the Israeli public. Harel emphasizes the precarious balance of power, the potential consequences for hostages, and international pressures, particularly from the U.S., as pivotal factors affecting Israel’s strategy in the ongoing conflict.

Nadav Tamir, executive director of J Street Israel and former advisor to Shimon Peres, shares insights on Israel's evolving diplomatic landscape. He highlights the unprecedented actions of allies like Germany, signaling a shift in support amid humanitarian concerns. Tamir argues that recognizing a Palestinian state could benefit Israel's security and democracy, seeing it not as a punishment but a potential prize. His reflections touch on the need for peace and the dangers of continued conflict, urging a reevaluation of Israel's role in the region.

Aluf Benn, Editor-in-Chief of Haaretz, sheds light on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's calculated strategies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that Netanyahu's steadfast goal has been to prevent a Palestinian state while aligning firmly with his far-right coalition. Benn discusses the implications of intensified military actions in Gaza and critiques the diminishing space for political dissent. Additionally, he emphasizes the challenges faced by journalists in covering the ongoing crisis, advocating for nuanced perspectives amid turmoil.

The "last thing" Rabbi Rachel Timoner says she wanted to do was block the street in front of New York's Israeli consulate as part of a protest calling on Israel to increase the flow of humanitarian aid in Gaza – let alone get arrested for doing so. The Brooklyn rabbi said on the Haaretz Podcast that when she was asked to take part in the demonstration, she found it impossible to say no. "As a leader of the Jewish community here, as a rabbi, I feel that when Israel is acting in a way that they are claiming is representing Judaism, it's part of my job to show my understanding of what Judaism stands for. We feed the hungry, and we care for the sick, and we free the captives, and we care for the human dignity of every life, of every human life." Timoner, the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, spoke on the podcast about the unease among New York Jews since October 7, and the crisis ignited by Zohran Mamdani's victory in the city's Democratic primary. Mamdani, who will once again face voters in the November general election, has been embroiled in controversy over his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and his shifting stance on others on the left calling to “globalize the intifada.”  While the city of New York "does not have a foreign policy," Timoner said, it is a "big deal symbolically and in terms of identity to think about the mayor being an anti-Zionist." Timoner says Mamdani must address the question of "how will Zionist New Yorkers know that they are welcome in this city, safe in this city, and know that they are part of his vision for this city." The fact that despite his views, Mamdani received the most primary votes of any candidate, she added, points to the fact "a lot of Jews are feeling profoundly alienated from the behavior and the speech of this Israeli government, feel that it does not represent our values at all, and that it is a shameful degradation of Judaism. I don't know that you could explain the Jewish support for Mamdani without that factor." Read more: 'It Is Impossible to Watch and Stay Silent' | Dozens Arrested as U.S. Jews Ramp Up Protests Against Gaza Starvation Zohran Mamdani Officially Wins Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor Mamdani Distances Himself From 'Globalize the Intifada' Slogan in Closed-door Meeting With Business LeadersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.