Israel Policy Pod

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Fellow and Research Director Shira Efron. The trio discuss the launch of Israel's new offensive in Gaza, growing international pressure on Israel to end the war, concerns over the grim humanitarian situation inside the strip, what President Trump actually wants, and more.  This podcast was recorded before the terrorist attack at the Capital Jewish Museum. Read Israel Policy Forum's statement below: Israel Policy Forum mourns the senseless killing of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in the terrorist attack at the American Jewish Committee Young Diplomats reception in Washington, D.C. Our hearts go out to their families and to their Israeli Embassy colleagues, and their killer must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.This was an antisemitic terrorist attack targeting a Jewish event ostensibly carried out in the name of Palestinian solidarity, and there can be no space for this in the United States. Support for Palestinians confers no legitimacy to attack Jews, Israeli or otherwise, and the terrorist who gunned down two innocents last night has only damaged whatever cause he was allegedly trying to advance. Neither the October 7 attacks nor the war in Gaza provide any justification for political violence, and language used in anti-Israel protests that often glorifies such violence must stop. Jews in this country should not have to live in fear because of fighting taking place six thousand miles away, and we reject any attempted connection between these two arenas.We also reject the immediate rush to map terrorism on American shores to domestic Israeli partisan politics. The political point scoring already taking place, as if the terrorist was motivated by statements from politicians on either side of the spectrum rather than by events on the ground and his own twisted antisemitic hatred, is unseemly and must stop.Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims' families.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Ambassador Dennis Ross, lead Middle East peace process negotiator in the H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations and current counselor and William Davidson distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to unpack President Trump's trip to the Middle East. They provide a high-level overview of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration and discuss the U.S.-Israel and Trump-Netanyahu relationships, the present and future of the Gaza war, prospects for a two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Dennis' new book, Statecraft 2.0: What America Needs to Lead in a Multipolar World.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Col. (res.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, former head of the Palestinian arena in Israeli Military Intelligence. They discuss the looming new Israeli military offensive in Gaza, the huge danger it entails not just for the Palestinians but also for Israelis, what will happen to the hostages, the need for a full ceasefire-hostage deal, the prospect that President Trump is able to broker a new truce before the Israeli operation gets underway, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the resignation of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, the legal and political battle over Bar's firing by Prime Minister Netanyahu, the prospects for a new hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza, the growing concern over the humanitarian situation inside the strip, reflecting on Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut in the second year after October 7, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Naysan Rafati, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group. They discuss the current alarming state of Iran's nuclear program, the new diplomatic push by President Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to make a deal with Iran, how this time could be different due to Iran's weakness after 18 months of regional war, the major challenges to actually getting a deal done, the possible implications if diplomacy fails and the U.S. and Israel choose to deploy the military option, and more. Read Dr. Shira Efron's op-ed on Israel's Syria policy in Foreign Affairs, here.Read this week's Koplow Column, here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman interviews Yotam Cohen, whose brother, Nimrod, remains in captivity in Gaza. A 20-year-old IDF soldier from Rehovot, Nimrod was serving as a tank gunner on the Gaza border on October 7 when Hamas attacked and dragged him into Gaza. Yotam reflects on the fight to free his brother, his perspective on the Gaza war, and Israel's responsibility to prioritize bringing the hostages home. Follow @bring.nimrod.home and @allhostages on Instagram and support the hostage families' fight to bring their loved ones home.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Tal Shalev, political correspondent at Walla News. They discuss Benjamin Netanyahu's rather unsuccessful meeting with Donald Trump in Washington this week, the Israeli government's war against the so-called “deep state,” the Qatargate scandal, the Netanyahu government's priorities after Passover, the political fortunes of Yair Golan and Naftali Bennett, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Barbara Leaf, the former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs and distinguished diplomatic fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. They discuss the Biden administration on October 7 and during the Gaza war, the evolving U.S.-Israel relationship during the conflict, reflections of the prior ceasefire-hostage deal talks, the prospects for a new hostage deal and a realistic post-war plan for Gaza, Barbara's impressions after meeting new Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa, Washington under the Trump administration, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the Netanyahu government going after the judiciary, the dual firings of the Shin Bet chief and the attorney general, Israel's looming constitutional crisis, the status of the renewed military offensive in Gaza, the protests against Hamas in Gaza, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts former Israeli minister Dan Meridor, who held a handful of high-ranking cabinet positions over multiple decades. They discuss the collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza and renewed Israeli airstrikes against Hamas, the precarious fate of the hostages, the upcoming dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the legal hurdles Benjamin Netanyahu will have to overcome to push it through, the future of Israeli democracy under this government, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel to discuss the new IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. They cover his first week in the post and future plans for the army, the state of the IDF now 17 months into this war, the threat of a renewed Israeli military offensive into Gaza, the prospects of the ceasefire-hostage talks succeeding, the IDF inquiries into the failures surrounding Hamas' October 7 attack, and more. No Time to Lose: A Blueprint for Reforming the Palestinian AuthoritySupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the national trauma and mood in Israel after last week's return of four deceased hostages, the joyful return of six living hostages on Saturday, the potential for the hostage-and-ceasefire deal in Gaza to be extended, the U.S.' role in the ongoing talks, growing tensions and violence in the northern West Bank, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, who was just freed from Hamas captivity after 498 days. They discuss the joyful reunion between Sagui and his wife and three young daughters, Sagui's road to recovery, the months of campaigning to get this hostage deal done, the role of the Trump administration and Netanyahu government, the prospects for the ceasefire to be extended and for all the hostages to be returned home, and more. Israelis' hearts are heavy with grief today as four deceased hostages are returned from Gaza—likely Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, although we are still awaiting final forensic confirmation. We have all come to know their faces well over the past 503 days as symbolic of the human cost of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. It is unimaginable that their families will never again get to embrace them.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Fellow Shira Efron. The trio discusses Prime Minister Netanyahu's trip to Washington last week, President Trump's plan to turn Gaza into the riviera of the Middle East, the status of the Gaza ceasefire deal, dimming prospects for Israel-Saudi normalization, possible reform in the Palestinian Authority, and more. Read Shira Efron's op-ed in The New York Times here.Read Alex Lederman's op-ed in The Forward here. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Aziz Alghashian, Director of Research at ORF Middle East. They discuss how the past 16 months have looked from Riyadh and the Gulf, the prospects of Israel-Saudi normalization, the demand for a viable pathway towards Palestinian statehood, how Benjamin Netanyahu has misled the Israeli public, the Trump effect on Middle East diplomacy, and more. Policy Recommendations for the Trump Administration and the 119th CongressSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. The trio discuss the release of the first three female hostages from Hamas captivity, the surprising (for some) Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal, the re-emergence of Hamas fighters and the lack of a day after plan for the strip, the prospects of the ceasefire being continued into a second stage, what Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have planned for the Middle East and each other, and more.Policy Recommendations for the Trump Administration and the 119th CongressSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the terms of the ceasefire-hostage deal and how it will be implemented, how many hostages are set to come home and if the deal will actually end the war, why the long-awaited deal was finalized now, criticisms of the deal from both the right and left, the political implications for the Netanyahu government, and more.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Tal Shalev, political correspondent at Walla News. They discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu's political strength at the dawn of a new year, the state of play inside his coalition government, Itamar Ben Gvir's waning influence, the fraught issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, the return of the judicial overhaul, Trump's potential impact, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On the last Israel Policy Pod episode of 2024, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. The trio discuss the past year of war across all of Israel's battlefields and fronts, the upheaval in Syria and the fall of the Assad regime, the renewed prospects for a ceasefire-hostage deal in Gaza, Netanyahu's increasing political strength heading into the new year, what Trump may (and may not) do in the Middle East, and more.View our latest explainers on critical issues facing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts military affairs analyst Yaakov Lappin. They discuss the demise of the Assad regime, how the rebel takeover of Damascus is being viewed from Israel, the IDF ground incursion into southern Syria, the far-reaching air campaign against the Syrian Arab Army, what the future may hold for the fragmented country, the dismantling of the Iran-led axis of resistance, the status of Israel's multi-front war, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Assaf Orion, international fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and senior researcher at INSS. They assess the Israel-Hezbollah war over the past 14 months, and discuss the reasons why the ceasefire was concluded last week, what the agreement entails, how it differs from the one that ended the last Lebanon war, the prospects that it is successfully implemented, and more. View our latest explainers on critical issues facing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Tal Schneider, political correspondent at The Times of Israel. They discuss the return of Israeli politics during wartime, the defection of Gideon Sa'ar, the firing of Yoav Gallant and the rumors regarding who may be next, the resumption of the judicial overhaul, the impact Donald Trump may already be having on internal Israeli affairs, and more.View our latest explainers on critical issues facing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Natan Sachs, director of the Brookings Institution Center for Middle East Policy. They discuss Donald Trump's impending return to the White House, what his early foreign policy appointments could mean for Israel and the Middle East, inherent contradictions between Trump's goals and the current policies of the Netanyahu government, what the Biden administration may seek to achieve before January 20, last week's firing of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and more. Explore our recent explainers here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. The trio discusses the upcoming U.S. election and the debate over Israel policy, Israel's strikes on Iran this past weekend, the implications of Israel banning UNRWA, renewed diplomacy to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and more.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum CEO David A. Halperin hosts Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber to discuss the violent life and death of Yahya Sinwar, where Hamas goes from here, future prospects for a hostage-and-ceasefire deal in Gaza, the linkage being made by Israel between the various war fronts, Prime Minister Netanyahu's likely rising political fortunes, and more.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel to discuss the state of the Israeli ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, how far this campaign will go, lessons from past Israeli wars in Lebanon, the potential Israeli strike options against Iran, the bleak state of the Gaza front, how long Israel can keep up this multi-front war of attrition, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. The trio reflects on the first anniversary of Hamas' October 7 attack and discusses Israel's thus-far successful escalation with Hezbollah in Lebanon, possible Israeli retaliatory options against Iran, U.S.-Israel relations in the shadow of the war, the current state of the Gaza campaign, and more.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

In this episode of Israel Policy Pod, Israel Policy Forum CEO David Halperin hosts Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi at Park Avenue Synagogue. They discuss key themes from Rabbi Cosgrove's new book, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today—including the effect of October 7 on American Jews, the generational divide of Israel views, lessons learned from this past year, and more.Watch our video briefing with Ksenia Svetlova on the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah here. Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss Hezbollah's pagers and walkie-talkies blowing up across Lebanon, the prospects for further escalation on Israel's northern front, the chances Yoav Gallant will actually be fired, the state of the Gaza hostage-ceasefire talks, Itamar Ben Gvir's Israel Police, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Col. (res.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, former head of the Palestinian arena in Israeli Military Intelligence, to assess the state of the Israel-Hamas war following the tragic murder of the six Israeli hostages over the weekend. They discuss the lessons that should be drawn about Israel's current war strategy, the debate over the Philadelphi Corridor, the status of Hamas inside Gaza, growing concerns that the West Bank will turn into the newest front in the ongoing war, and more.Read this week's letter from our board chair and CEO, "Mourning and Looking Forward," here.Read this week's Koplow Column here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. The trio discussed the attempted attack by Hezbollah earlier this week that was thwarted by the IDF, the implications of this event on the northern front, the state of the Gaza ceasefire/hostage talks after Secretary of State Blinken's visit last week, what the Biden administration should do to advance this important foreign policy objective, and more. Support the Show.Follow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts two families of Israeli hostages seized on October 7 who are still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza. First, Maya and Gili Roman describe their family's harrowing experience in Kibbutz Beeri on Black Saturday, and how their relatives Yarden Roman-Gat and Carmel Gat were taken hostage. Carmel remains a hostage in Gaza. Next, Jonathan Dekel-Chen discusses the fate of his family in Kibbutz Nir Oz during and after October 7, and talks about his son Sagui, who remains a hostage in Gaza. Support the Show.Follow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the waiting game for an Iranian and Hezbollah retaliation, what the threatened attack may look like, the recent controversial strike in Gaza City, the prospects for a ceasefire-and-hostage deal to materialize in the upcoming Doha summit, the Netanyahu government bringing back the judicial overhaul, and more. Support the Show.Follow us on Instagram and Twitter/X, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. The trio discussed the targeted assassinations of Hamas political head Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and of top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Lebanon, possible Iranian and Hezbollah retaliations, the wider impact it could have on hostage talks, what role the Biden administration can play in avoiding a regional war, and more.For more on the twin assassinations and regional escalations, join our video briefing on August 1 at 11:30am ET with Sima Shine, head of Iran program at INSS. Register here.Support the Show.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and Director of Strategic Initiatives and Director of IPF Atid Shanie Reichman discuss the likely assassination of Mohammed Deif, the state of play in the renewed hostage negotiations, Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming trip to Washington, Israeli politics ahead of summer break, checking-in on the northern front with Lebanon, and more.Bibi's Visit to Washington (Webinar): Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to visit Washington next week for a Congressional address and to meet with President Biden. This landmark visit comes at a moment when domestic politics in both countries are straining the bilateral relationship. Simultaneously, mounting security threats amid the war in Gaza are highlighting its necessity. Join Israel Policy Forum Monday, July 22nd at 2pm ET for a virtual learning session that will unpack the state of U.S.-Israel ties and what to watch for during Bibi's visit.To register, go to ipf.li/summerseries Support the Show.

In this episode, Ehud Yaari, a longtime Middle East commentator for Israel's Channel 12 and an international fellow at the Washington Institute, joins Neri Zilber for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of play in the Gaza war, the prospects for a hostage deal, myths surrounding the day after, the chances for de-escalation with Hizballah in Lebanon, fears for stability on the West Bank, and much more.Join Israel Policy Forum for our virtual Summer Learning Series on key issues and concepts related to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, led by Israel Policy Forum experts and guest educators. Every session will be preceded by the distribution of recommended readings and resources to enhance the experience.Held on four Mondays over the course of the summer, beginning July 1, these one-hour sessions are offered at no cost. Recordings of past sessions are available for viewing. Learn more and register here.Support the Show.

Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Foundation of Policy Research Shira Efron to discuss developments in Israel's political arena and across the various fronts of the ongoing war. They unpack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first Hebrew-language interview in over a year, his upcoming visit to Washington, and the Haredi military conscription saga threatening his coalition. With the chances of a hostage-for-ceasefire deal appearing increasingly slim, Neri, Shira, and Michael assess the future of the Gaza campaign and the possibility of a major escalation in Lebanon.--Join Israel Policy Forum for our virtual Summer Learning Series on key issues and concepts related to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, led by Israel Policy Forum experts and guest educators. Every session will be preceded by the distribution of recommended readings and resources to enhance the experience.Held on four Mondays over the course of the summer, beginning July 1, these one-hour sessions are offered at no cost. Learn more and register here.Support the Show.

On this episode of Israel Policy Pod, Neri Zilber hosts Yair Zivan, chief foreign policy advisor to former Israeli prime minister and current opposition leader Yair Lapid, and the author of the forthcoming anthology The Center Must Hold: Why Centrism Is the Answer to Extremism and Polarization. They discuss the meaning of centrism as a distinct political movement, its increasing importance worldwide, the experience of working in the Bennett-Lapid government, and the current moment in Israeli politics and the Gaza war. Finally, they delve into the question on everyone's mind: when will there be elections in Israel? --Join Israel Policy Forum for our virtual Summer Learning Series on key issues and concepts related to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, led by Israel Policy Forum experts and guest educators. Every session will be preceded by the distribution of recommended readings and resources to enhance the experience.Held on four Mondays over the course of the summer, beginning July 1, these one-hour sessions are offered at no cost. Learn more and register here.Support the Show.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman discuss Saturday's heroic hostage rescue operation, the landmark speech by President Biden laying out a Gaza hostage-and-ceasefire deal, the implications of Benny Gantz's resignation from the emergency wartime government, the prospects of war breaking out with Hizballah in Lebanon, and more. At this critical juncture in the war in Gaza, Israel Policy Forum experts are providing timely, clear-headed, and sober analysis on Israeli politics and Israeli-Palestinian affairs.In this Tuesday's Koplow Column, Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow unpacks the potential implications of Benny Gantz's decision to quit the emergency wartime government with Netanyahu. Read here.Our Israel fellow and former advisor to Shimon Peres, Nimrod Novik, was interviewed on CBC News to discuss how Israel's daring rescue of four hostages on June 8 could impact the Israeli political arena and the possibility of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Watch here.Shira Efron, Jess Manville, and Alex Lederman recently published a policy report on how to advance a viable path forward for UNRWA given its essential role and deep, systemic flaws. Explore the report here.If you rely on Israel Policy Forum for credible and thoughtful analysis, please make a gift today so our work can continue to have an impact. Donate now.Support the Show.

October 7 and the war in Gaza have cast a spotlight on UNRWA's deep-seated and longstanding flaws. On this episode of Israel Policy Pod, Israel Policy Forum's Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Dr. Shira Efron, Senior Policy and Communications Associate Alex Lederman, and Policy Advisor Jess Manville discuss their new policy report charting a path toward incremental and meaningful UNRWA reform to align the agency with realistic future outcomes to the conflict, guarantee dignified service provision for Palestinian refugees, and account for Israel's legitimate security needs.Support the Show.

On this episode of Israel Policy Pod, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Samer Sinijwali, a Palestinian activist from East Jerusalem and a member of the Fatah party 'shadow leadership,' to discuss his unique story from rock-throwing youth to peace activist, the need for true reform in Palestinian politics, building bridges and empathy between Israelis and Palestinians in the wake of October 7, what the day after in Gaza could look like, and more. Support the Show.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman discuss this year's Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut under the pall of October 7, the state of U.S.-Israel relations, the ongoing Rafah operation amid the wider war in Gaza, Israel's lack of a day-after strategy, growing dissent in the war cabinet, anti-Israel campus protests, and more.Read Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Sr. Director of Policy Research Shira Efron's recent op-ed in The New York Times here.Read this week's Koplow Column here.Support the Show.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel to discuss the overall state of the Israel-Hamas war. They cover the limited Israeli ground incursion into Rafah, Hamas' response to the ceasefire-for-hostage deal proposal, the situation on the northern border with Lebanon, and more. Support the Show.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Israel Policy Forum's Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. Together they assess the ongoing turmoil on U.S. college campuses surrounding the Gaza war, the prospects for a ceasefire-for-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, the state of play in the war nearly seven months in, and more.Support the Show.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman discuss Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, the Israeli mood before and after, the timing and scope of the impending Israeli retaliation, the state of play in the Gaza war, the fate of a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, rising tensions in the West Bank, and more. In the wake of Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israel, Israel Policy Forum experts have been providing timely, clear-headed, and sober analysis on regional dynamics and the state of the Israeli-Palestinian arena.In this week's Koplow Column, Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow unpacks misconceptions surrounding Iran's attack and the opportunity Israel now has to undo some of the mistakes it made after October 7. Read here.Writing in Foreign Affairs, our Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research, Dr. Shira Efron, offers tangible recommendations for addressing Gaza's humanitarian crisis while underscoring the importance of involving the Palestinian Authority. Read here.Following Iran's attack, we have updated our concise explainer on the role of Iran and its proxies in driving conflict across various theaters. Read here.Over the past few days, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Pod host Neri Zilber has written a handful of timely dispatches in the Financial Times on the fallout from Iran's attack. Explore Neri's analysis here.If you rely on Israel Policy Forum for credible and thoughtful analysis, please make a gift today so our work can continue to have an impact.Support the show

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Israel Policy Forum's Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Shira Efron. Together they unpack Israel's anger at the U.S. abstention at the U.N. Security Council, why Netanyahu seems intent on creating a crisis with the Biden administration, domestic politics in Israel dictating diplomacy, how U.S.-Israel ties reached this low point in the wake of October 7, and more. As Israel pushes forward with its war in Gaza and grapples with political turmoil at home, Israel Policy Forum experts have been providing timely, clear-headed, and sober analysis on the ongoing conflict. In this week's Koplow Column, Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow unpacks Prime Minister Netanyahu's response to the U.S. declining to veto U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Read the column here.In the coming days, we will be publishing recommendations to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, based on an Economic Cooperation Foundation report by Shira Efron, Jess Manville, and Celine Touboul. A link will be available here once the document has been published.If you rely on Israel Policy Forum for credible and thoughtful analysis, please make a gift today so our work can continue to have an impact. Donate now at the support link below.Support the show

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Col. (res.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, former head of the Palestinian arena in Israeli Military Intelligence to assess the current moment in the Israel-Hamas war. They cover Israel's misconception before October 7, the third phase of Israel's war campaign in Gaza, planning for the day after Hamas, the chances of a hostage and ceasefire deal by Ramadan, and more.Listen to the May 2023 episode with Col. (res.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, here.Support the show

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts military and strategic affairs analyst Yaakov Lappin to discuss the current state of play between Israel and Hizballah. They cover what Hizballah is actually thinking, the connection to the Gaza war, the merits of diplomacy versus a military operation to resolve this conflict, and more. As Israel pushes forward with its war in Gaza and grapples with political turmoil at home, Israel Policy Forum experts have been providing timely, clear-headed, and sober analysis on the ongoing conflict. In the Financial Times, Policy Advisor and Israel Policy Pod host Neri Zilber wrote on the impact of Smotrich and Ben Gvir on Netanyahu's approach to the war. Read here.Applications are open for IPF Atid's leadership summit in Chicago from May 19 to May 21, open to young professionals in IPF Atid's leadership network. Apply here.IPF Atid is also accepting applications for its policy fellowship for undergrads. This exclusive cohort opportunity is offered to 10 college students across North America who are passionate about promoting informed, policy-based discourse about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on campus. Fellows receive a $500 stipend upon completion of the fellowship. Apply here.Explore our 2023 Impact Report, which provides a brief snapshot of our work amid last year's unprecedented challenges and tragedies. View here.Support the show

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Israel Policy Forum's Israel Fellow Nimrod Novik and Director of the Horizon Center for Political Studies and Media Outreach Ibrahim Eid Dalalsha. They discuss the current mood in the West Bank amidst the Gaza war, growing concerns ahead of Ramadan, diplomacy surrounding Gaza and whether the U.S.-led ‘grand bargain' can actually succeed, Palestinian Authority reform, the day after in Gaza, and more. As Israel pushes forward with its war in Gaza and grapples with political turmoil at home, Israel Policy Forum experts have been providing timely, clear-headed, and sober analysis on the ongoing conflict. In the Financial Times, Policy Advisor and Israel Policy Pod host Neri Zilber wrote on the impact of Smotrich and Ben Gvir on Netanyahu's approach to the war. Read here.Applications are open for IPF Atid's leadership summit in Chicago from May 19 to May 21, open to young professionals in IPF Atid's leadership network. Apply here.IPF Atid is also accepting applications for its policy fellowship for undergrads. This exclusive cohort opportunity is offered to 10 college students across North America who are passionate about promoting informed, policy-based discourse about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on campus. Fellows receive a $500 stipend upon completion of the fellowship. Apply here.Explore our 2023 Impact Report, which provides a brief snapshot of our work amid last year's unprecedented challenges and tragedies. View here.Support the show

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman discuss a potential impending Rafah operation, the state of play of the hostage negotiations, strains in the Israel-U.S. relationship over the Gaza war, tensions growing on the northern border with Lebanon, and more.Explore more of our commentary and analysis at our Israel at War resource hub, here.Support the show

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber and IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman unpack the latest updates from Israel's military campaign in Gaza, possibilities for an upcoming hostage-release deal, tensions on the northern border with Hizballah, debates in the government about resettling Gaza, emerging details about UNRWA's involvement in the October 7 attacks, and more.This week, our board chair, David Sherman, and CEO, David Halperin, wrote a letter explaining why the U.S. must promote a viable pathway to two states that acknowledges the obstacles on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. Read here.In this Thursday's Koplow Column, Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow wrote on Israel's relationship to the international community following the last week's International Court of Justice decision and recent revelations about UNRWAWe also published two articles in The Forward this week : one by me, Senior Policy and Communications Associate Alex Lederman, where I reflect on my recent Israel Policy Forum delegation to Israel and why embracing subjectivity is key to understanding the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza (read here)and another by Evan Gottesman on last week's ruling at the International Court of Justice on Israel's genocide case. Read here.Finally, this week our policy advisor Neri Zilber wrote in the Financial Times on the current state of play of Israel's campaign in Gaza (read here)and in the Christian Science Monitor on reconciling the two aims of Israel's war against Hamas. Read here.Support the show