Post Corona

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode (Part II):In the first part of our conversation, we talked about how Iran built its nuclear program and gave a history and scientific tutorial on how it was / could be done. In the second part, we talk about what is believed to be remaining after the Israeli and U.S. attacks. We welcome back to the show, Lahav Harkov who has been covering this topic in detail for Jewish Insider. David Albright, a physicist and world renowned expert and author on nuclear weapons, and the President and Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, also joins us. Check out David's work here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HPEB5C/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=1b1c48b5-d51b-4ce5-b43e-dc94a51aadecCheck out Lahav's work at Jewish Insider here: https://jewishinsider.com/authors/lahav-harkov/–CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us and sign up for updates visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode (Part I)On Saturday June 21st, the U.S. dropped 14, 30,000 pound bunker-buster bombs on Iran's three key nuclear sites: Natanz, Esfahan and the infamous Fordo, where 12 of the 14 bombs were dropped.Since the bombing of these three nuclear sites, which President Donald Trump said were “completely and totally obliterated,” there has been some speculation in the press  as to how much damage was actually done.While the world scrambles to figure out what was destroyed, what was damaged, and what was left intact, we are asking what was Iran's actual nuclear program and how was it built?To help answer those questions, we asked physicist and weapons expert David Albright, who is the President and Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security. David has written numerous books and assessments on nuclear weapons programs and has testified on multiple occasions on nuclear issues before the U.S. Congress. Check out David's work here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HPEB5C/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=1b1c48b5-d51b-4ce5-b43e-dc94a51aadec–CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode:It feels like a month's worth of news has erupted out of the Middle East since Saturday night, when the U.S. bombed Iran's three key nuclear facilities. On Monday, the IRGC responded by firing missiles at the American El Udeid Air base in Qatar – an attack it warned Qatar (and the U.S.) about beforehand. Throughout that day, the Israeli Air Force struck critical IRGC targets, including multiple hubs of internal operations, military headquarters, missile production sites, radar systems, and missile storage infrastructure. In a highly symbolic move, the IAF struck Evin Prison – known for holding Iranian dissidents – as well as Iran's so-called “Israel doomsday clock,” located in Tehran's “Palestine square.”And then, at 6:02pm EST, President Trump announced a “complete and total ceasefire” via Truth Social.Shortly before the ceasefire began, Iran launched six successive missile barrages toward targets throughout Israel. At around 5:40am Israel time, one of these missiles impacted a residential building in Beersheba, tragically killing four people and injuring 22. At 10:30am Israel time, about three-and-a-half hours after the ceasefire was meant to take effect, Iran fired two missiles at Israel's North. Israeli officials vowed to respond forcefully to this breach in the ceasefire, but settled for a “symbolic” target – an Iranian radar north of Tehran – after pressure from President Trump not to escalate.To unpack the history that's taken place over the past few days; the details of the ceasefire and how it will be enforced; and how a possible end to this Iran War (or this phase of the Iran War) could impact the Gaza War and the hostages, we are joined once again by senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot and Call me Back regular Nadav Eyal and chief political analyst at Channel 12 and another Call me Back regular Amit Segal.–CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's Episode:Around 8pm ET on Saturday June 21st, President Trump announced that the U.S. launched an attack on three Iranian nuclear sites: Natanz, Esfahan, and Fordow. At 10pm ET, in a live address from the White House, the President called the attacks on Iran a “spectacular military success” and said Iran's three targeted nuclear facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated.”Joining us to unpack what we know about the attack and what Iran might do next and what happens next for the U.S. and Israel are Call me Back regulars Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal. We will be following these historic developments closely here at Call me Back. Stay tuned for more news updates and episodes this week. –CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's Episode:If President Trump decides against the U.S. joining the war, what can the IDF achieve on its own? In today's episode, senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot and Call me Back regular Nadav Eyal discusses this very question as well as the damage caused by Iran's most recent missile barrages and how Israeli air defenses are working to confront the threat.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's Episode:For New York City Jews, there are two major news stories that are front of mind. There is, of course, Israel's war with Iran. And then there is the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, which will take place this Tuesday, June 24th. This year's NYC mayoral election is of particular consequence because of 33-year-old self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani, to many Jewish New Yorkers because of his positions on antisemitism and Israel. In college, Mamdani co-founded “Students for Justice in Palestine.” Now, while he claims to be concerned about raising antisemitism, he defends the phrase “globalize the intifada.” When asked about his position on Israel two weeks ago, Mamdani said that as mayor, he would bring NYC back into compliance with international law, suggesting that the city administration's support for Israel is illegal.To unpack this significant election cycle, we are joined by Howard Wolfson, who leads the Education Program of Bloomberg Philanthropies. From 2010 to 2013, Howard served as the NYC Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs and Communications – where he oversaw local, state, and federal government relations, with particular involvement in the education, transportation, and technology sectors. Howard currently runs Former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg's SuperPAC and continues to advise Bloomberg on matters of politics and communications.–CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

To inquire about working at a Jewish summer camp this summer: http://jewishcamp.org/workCLICK HERE to listen to our earlier episode today with Nadav Eyal & Karim SadjapourCLICK HERE to listen to What's Your Number?CLICK HERE to listen to For Heaven's Sake Watch and subscribe to Call Me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgArk Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/dansenorTimestamp: 10:30PM on Wednesday, June 18th (EST), 5:30AM on Thursday, June 19th (Israel time).News continues to develop rapidly. To help our listeners separate signal from noise, we are going to be providing quick news updates in addition to our regular programming. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: https://lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': https://lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's Episode:Will the U.S. play a direct military role in the destruction of Iran's nuclear program? Over the past few days, President Trump has been reinforcing his support for the Israeli offensive and his position that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Most assessments suggest that the IAF does not have the capability to completely destroy Iran's nuclear program. If that's the case, what's the end-game? Should Iran's nuclear program be destroyed by the US, delayed by Israel, or disassembled by Iran through a deal?On today's episode, we dive into these critical questions with senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot and Call me Back regular, Nadav Eyal, and Iran foreign policy expert and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Karim Sadjapour.Karim is a first-time guest. In addition to working at Carnegie, he is a contributing writer to the Atlantic. He was previously an analyst with the International Crisis Group, based in Tehran and Washington. He has lived in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East (including both Iran and the Arab world) and speaks Persian. Karim is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, teaching a class on U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East.Nadav and Karim discuss what the mood is inside Iran, what military options are on the table, and possible outcomes of the war.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

CLICK HERE to listen to today's episode of For Heaven's Sake CLICK HERE to listen to our earlier episode today with Amit Segal on the war with IranWatch and subscribe to Call Me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgArk Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/dansenorTimestamp: 10PM on Monday, June 16th (EST), 5AM on Tuesday, June 17th (Israel time).News has been rushing in at breakneck speed over the past few days, and one of our regular listeners, Idan Cohen, suggested that we help our listeners separate signal from noise by providing quick news updates. So, we're going to try to add these quick news breaks in addition to our regular programming. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: https://lnk.to/rfGlrAWhat's Your Number?: https://lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us and sign up for updates visit: arkmedia.orgArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's Episode:In the early hours of Friday, June 13th, the Israeli Air Force began major attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, as well as IRGC leaders and nuclear scientists. The attack prompted an Iranian retaliation which began later that night. Saturday, the second day of war with Iran, became the deadliest night for Israeli civilians since October 7th, after two massive barrages of Iranian rockets killed eleven Israelis and wounded over 200. Seven people were killed in Bat Yam, where a missile struck a residential building, and four were killed in the Arab city of Tamra, east of Haifa. As the Israeli offensive on Iran proceeds, the big question is; will the United States join Israel's offensive to destroy Iran's nuclear program?In this episode, Amit Segal, Call me Back Regular and senior political analyst for Channel 12, joins us to discuss Saturday night's attack on Israel, and the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': https://lnk.to/DZulpYFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorEarlier today, Iran launched approximately 100 ballistic missiles at Israel, prompting multiple rounds of nationwide sirens. Some missiles landed in Tel Aviv and other areas in Central Israel, damaging buildings and wounding dozens of Israelis, with at least one reported fatality. This followed Friday's extensive Israeli Air Force attack on Iranian nuclear, military, and leadership targets. The attacks damaged nuclear enrichment sites and killed Hussein Salammi, the head of the IRGC, the Army Chief of Staff, other members of the Iranian military leadership, as well as leading nuclear scientists.Just minutes before the evening's sirens began, we wrapped up a conversation with Nadav Eyal, senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot and Call me Back regular, where he explained how the Israeli attack on Iran unfolded and what it took for the IDF to prepare. These historic developments are certain to evolve over the next few days. We'll be monitoring the situation closely, so stay tuned for more analysis. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

The Ark is ExpandingAt around 8 PM New York time, the Israeli Air Force launched a historic preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, military assets and military leadership. The Israel-Iran War has begun, or at least entered a new stage. In response, the IDF Home Front Command swiftly updated its guidelines, banning all educational, social, and workplace gatherings. Israelis have been instructed to stay near bomb shelters as the nation braces for Iran's counterstrike.As you try to process all the fast-moving, history-making developments, we want to offer an expanded suite of voices and content from Israel.You might have noticed that over the past few months, I've referred to Call me Back as an “Ark Media” podcast. After four-and-a-half years of Call me Back standing on its own, we are now building a podcast network. Ark Media is home to the topics bringing us together — Jewish life, Israel's future, and our rapidly changing geopolitics — even when many of our guests have spirited and good faith disagreements about these issues.About a month ago, Ark Media launched its second podcast, What's Your Number, and today we are excited to announce that Ark Media will be joined by a third podcast - For Heaven's Sake, co-hosted by Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi, of the Shalom Hartman Institute. Donniel is the Hartman Institute's president, and Yossi, who has been a recurring guest on Call me Back, is a Senior Fellow.I don't always agree with Donniel's or Yossi's views on contentious political topics - but that's precisely the point. At Ark Media, we believe that engaging with diverse Jewish perspectives, grounded in shared values, is central to presenting the dilemmas that Israel is facing as it strives to survive and thrive in a world turned upside down. Whatever your politics, Donniel and Yossi are essential voices to consider, as we navigate the challenges facing Israel and Jews worldwide.Starting this week, Ark Media will publish For Heaven's Sake episodes on a weekly basis. You can find them wherever you listen to your podcasts - just don't forget to subscribe!

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/DZulpYFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Around 3AM in Israel, a nation-wide siren awoke Israelis to the news that the Israeli Air Force was conducting extensive strikes on the Islamic Republic of Iran. As far as we know so far, the strikes have targeted nuclear enrichment sites, military sites, the IRGC leadership, including Hussein Salammi, the head of the IRGC, the Army Chief of Staff, and leading nuclear scientists. Shortly after the blitz began, the IDF Home Front Command announced immediate changes to its guidelines, prohibiting all gatherings for educational, social, and workplace purposes. Israelis have been instructed to remain near bomb shelters as they await the Iranian response. It is an extremely tense moment for Israelis and Jews around the world. For years we've discussed the danger of Iran inching closer and closer to a nuclear weapon. The IDF said in a statement that in recent months it had accumulated evidence that Iran's nuclear program was “approaching the point of no return.” Joining us to unpack the ongoing events that are reshaping the Middle East in real time is Ronen Bergman. Ronen is a staff writer for The New York Times and Senior Correspondent for Military and Intelligence Affairs at Yedhiot Ahronot. Ronen is the recipient of a Pulitzer price for his reporting on the Israel-Hamas war. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/DZulpYFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Since the beginning of the war, 20 months ago, politicians and public figures have referred to ‘total victory' and a complete defeat of Hamas to define the war's objectives. But what exactly does that mean? And at what cost to Israeli society?Today's guest, Dr. Tal Becker, has been exploring what it means to actually “win” the war. What does it look like? How to measure it? Tal recently served as the Legal Advisor of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and currently serves as Vice President of the Shalom Hartman Institute. He is a veteran member of successive Israeli peace negotiation teams and played an instrumental role in negotiating and drafting the historic Abraham Accords. Tal earned his doctorate from Columbia University in New York, and is the recipient of numerous scholarly awards, including the Guggenheim Prize for best international law book for his book "Terrorism and the State".CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/DZulpYFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, Brett McGurk was a lead negotiator for the U.S. Government in every round of hostage/ceasefire negotiations in 2023, 2024, and January 2025. In today's episode, which we recorded before a live audience at the Manhattan JCC last week, Brett sat down for his first long-form/on-the-record conversation on his lessons learned, including how these lessons inform the current (on-again/off-gain) negotiations over the Witkoff Plan. Brett McGurk has held senior national security posts across the Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.  Most recently, he served as President Biden's White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa. In this role, he spearheaded U.S. Government efforts across the region to secure the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza and he coordinated international support for Israel's defense against Iranian ballistic missile attacks.As Special Presidential Envoy for both President Obama and President Trump, McGurk was an architect of the global coalition of more than 80 countries together with local forces on the ground to defeat ISIS. He also led secret negotiations with Iran to secure the release of American hostages, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaein. As a senior White House official under George W. Bush, Brett was an early advocate for a change in Iraq war policy and helped develop “the surge” strategy. He also negotiated the Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq, which continues to guide U.S. relations between the two countries.  He is now a Venture Partner at Lux Capital, a venture capital firm based in New York City and Silicon Valley, as well as a Special Advisor for international affairs at Cisco, and holds fellowships at both the Harvard's Belfer Center and the Atlantic Council. He's also a CNN Global Affairs Analyst. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

(00:00) Introduction (05:18) Israel's new aid program and its threat to Hamas(18:11) Anti-Hamas protest movement(24:22) Trump's Gaza migration plan(28:07) Who is Abu-Shabab?(31:39) Enclave program in Gaza(40:04) The day after and deradicalization in Gaza(47:32) ClosingWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': https://lnk.to/DZulpYFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: http://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Political news has been erupting out of Israel over the past two days, as tensions simmer within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The coalition's ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, announced they will join the opposition to vote in favor of dissolving the Knesset due to its failure to pass a law exempting the ultra-orthodox from serving in the IDF. If a simple majority votes in favor of dissolving the Knesset, it would force parliamentary elections.As if the news pouring out of Israel wasn't enough, major developments are also taking place in Gaza. The food-aid program, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, is showing signs of success in circumventing Hamas, weakening its political power of Gaza's population. This food aid program is not just a humanitarian endeavor; it is part of a larger strategy that was developed over the past year, referred to as humanitarian bubbles, in which Hamas-free zones are intended to be administered by vetted local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed today that Israel is providing weapons to an anti-Hamas militia, led by Yasser Abu-Shabab. The rise of Israel-backed Abu-Shabab, along with the weakening of Hamas' political and military power, has prompted a conversation about whether we are witnessing the early stages of the day after Hamas in Gaza.Our guest today is Joseph Braude. He leads the Center for Peace Communications (CPC), a nonprofit that amplifies Gazans who oppose Hamas, and has been active inside the Gaza Strip throughout the war. If you've seen a video of Gazans speaking out against Hamas, chances are they came to you through the CPC.It is the first time we will be speaking with someone who has been in close contact with direct sources inside Gaza's population. In fact, Joseph has helped us receive audio to questions that the Call me Back podcast sent directly to Gazan civilians. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast?sub_confirmation=1  Subscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': https://www.youtube.com/@wyn.podcast?sub_confirmation=1   For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:On Sunday, a peaceful demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, advocating the release of the 58 remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas, was violently disrupted when 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, disguising himself as a gardener, attacked participants with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. The assault injured six elderly individuals, aged between 67 and 88 — including a survivor of the Holocaust — with at least one victim in critical condition. In Paris, vandals defaced the Holocaust Memorial, two synagogues, and a Jewish restaurant in a coordinated act of antisemitic violence. These horrific events come just over one week after Elias Rodriguez, a radical, leftist activist, murdered two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Jewish museum in Washington DC. We have been hearing from Israelis who lived through the Intifada in Israel, as they reflect on what “Globalize the Intifada” means when it reaches our country; we hear one Israeli's perspective in today's episode. Meanwhile, just as it appeared that Israel was facing increasing international pressure, it is Hamas's position in the hostage negotiations that is weakening with time, according to U.S. officials. Late on Wednesday, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an  “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the release of all the hostages and unhindered aid access across the enclave. Dorothy Shea, Acting US Ambassador to the UN cited the failure to condemn Hamas and calling for its disarmament as the reason for the veto. Nadav Eyal, senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot, joins us to discuss the implications of the antisemitic terror attack in Boulder as well as the turmoil in Gaza. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Upcoming Live Event: Call Me Back – Live Podcast recording with Special Guest Brett McGurk — June 4, 7:30 PM at the Manhattan JCC. REGISTER HERE: https://www.mmjccm.org/event/call-me-back-dan-senor-podcastWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: http://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Terms for a new intermediary hostage-ceasefire deal appear to have been reached through direct negotiations between the US and Hamas, against the backdrop of  reports that President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu it would be ‘very inappropriate' for Israel to strike Iran's nuclear facilities militarily. To better understand this rapidly evolving, increasingly complex story, we are joined by Nadav Eyal, senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot and Amit Segal, senior political analyst at Channel 12.Subscribe to Amit Segal's newsletter here: https://www.amitsegal.net/newsletter/CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Upcoming Live Event: Call Me Back – Live Podcast recording with Special Guest Brett McGurk — June 4, 7:30 PM at the Manhattan JCC. REGISTER HERE: https://www.mmjccm.org/event/call-me-back-dan-senor-podcastWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: http://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:We've spent a lot of time on this podcast lamenting what has gone wrong on U.S. college campuses and within higher education overall. But, there are initiatives being launched and new schools and departments being founded that should give students and aspiring students (and their families) a lot of hope.Joining us today to discuss:Will Inboden, professor and director of the Alexander Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida. He is the author of a terrific book called: “The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink.” And, announced today, Will Inboden is the finalist to be the next Provost of University of Texas at Austin. Eric Cohen has been the CEO of Tikvah since 2007.  He started and serves as the publisher of Mosaic, and founded the journal called The New Atlantis. Tikvah has partnered with the Hamilton School at UF on a unique program that will be explored in this episode.  To learn more about the Rosenthal-Levy Scholars Program (4-year scholarship to the Hamilton School) at the University of Florida: https://rosenthallevyscholars.org/ The Peacemaker by Will Inboden: https://www.amazon.com/Peacemaker-Ronald-Reagan-World-Brink/dp/1524745898The New Atlantis: https://www.thenewatlantis.com/Mosaic Magazine: https://mosaicmagazine.com/CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer 

Upcoming Live Event: Call Me Back – Live Podcast recording with Special Guest Brett McGurk — June 4, 7:30 PM at the Manhattan JCC. REGISTER HERE: https://www.mmjccm.org/event/call-me-back-dan-senor-podcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast?sub_confirmation=1  Subscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': https://www.youtube.com/@wyn.podcast?sub_confirmation=1   For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:In one week, Jews in Israel and around the world will be celebrating the holiday of Shavuot. But, for many Jews, it's one of the least understood or familiar holidays, and yet it's among the most important. So today we are providing a Shavuot crash course for the Call Me Back community as well as some inspiration. For all the obvious reasons, it feels like we need it.Rachel Goldberg-Polin returns to Call Me Back to help us prepare for Shavuot after she helped so many of us navigate our Passover Seders. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Upcoming Live Event: Call Me Back – Live Podcast recording with Special Guest Brett McGurk — June 4, 7:30 PM at the Manhattan JCC. REGISTER HERE: mmjccm.org/event/call-me-back-dan-senor-podcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast?sub_confirmation=1  Subscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': youtube.com/@wyn.podcast?sub_confirmation=1   For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:On Wednesday night, two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were shot dead by Elias Rodriguez, a radical left-wing activist. “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” he said after being taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.It's been almost two years since the chant ‘globalize the Intifada' has gone mainstream. Is what happened in DC a manifestation of that chant, or is this a lone-wolf incident? If we look around the globe - from Canada, to France, to Germany, Sweden, the UK and Australia - it looks like the US might be joining an already established club, albeit, a bit late. How should the Jewish community in the US, and Jewish communities around the world prepare, if this is indeed a global intifada? With us today to discuss all of this is Mitch Silber, who served as Director of Intelligence Analysis at the NYPD and is one of the foremost experts on counterterrorism and radicalization. Mitch currently leads the Community Security Initiative NY. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:A lot has unfolded in the span of just a few days:Iran's Supreme Leader has publicly dismissed the potential for nuclear negotiations with the United States. This comes as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has doubled down on the zero enrichment condition for any Iran nuclear deal — while the Trump administration appears to be quietly pressuring Israel on the path forward on Gaza, while not demanding that Israel actually end the war. Meanwhile, international pressure continues to build.The UK announced plans to pause trade talks and countries within the European Union are discussing scrapping a cooperation deal with Israel. Finally, Pope Leo XIV appealed for more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, calling the situation there “yet more worrying and saddening.”Where does Israel go from here? How are these dynamics impacting domestic Israeli politics and the options for Israeli decision-makers. With us today to discuss all of this are Nadav Eyal, senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot, and Amit Segal, senior political analyst at Channel 12.Subscribe to Amit Segal's newsletter here: https://www.amitsegal.net/newsletter/CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: http://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorI have been moved by the reaction to my speech at the annual State of World Jewry Address in the last episode. In Part II of that evening at the 92nd Street Y, I sat down with Rabbi David Ingber, following my address, for a conversation. Rabbi Ingber picked up on some of the ideas in my talk…to probe some more…and push me on several of the issues I raised. Rabbi Ingber is the Senior Director for Jewish Life and Senior Director of the Bronfman Center at 92NY. He also serves as the founding rabbi of Romemu. He serves on the faculty for the Wexner Heritage Program and the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and Israel. Rabbi Ingber is also the host of the “Detours & Destinations” podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/detours-destinations/id1809796304

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Dan Senor's 2025 State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY).Dan's address expanded upon many of the topics we often discuss on Call Me Back, but it primarily focused on the challenges ahead for Diaspora Jewish communities in a post-10/07 world. Dan also laid out a first draft of an action plan for Jewish Peoplehood that is no longer prominent and weak but one that is instead Jewish and strong. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:As we mentioned in our brief update this morning, there is a lot happening in Israel and it's happening fast. Hamas has released hostage Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli citizen, in what Hamas is calling a “gesture of good will” to US President Donald Trump. All of this while the IDF has been preparing a large-scale offensive in Gaza and as the Gulf Summit is about to start in Saudi Arabia where President Trump will be meeting with Arab leaders to discuss further US investment and the future of the Middle East.  To discuss all of this and what it means, we are joined by Call Me Back regulars Nadav Eyal, senior analyst at Yedioth Achronot, and Amit Segal, senior political analyst at Channel 12Amit Segal's newsletter: https://www.amitsegal.net/newsletter/Amit Segal's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trumps-blunders-put-israel-at-risk-a9c0af65CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

It is 9PM on Sunday May 11th here in New York City. It is 4AM on Monday May 12th in Israel.A lot is happening, and it's happening fast. So instead of taping today, Sunday, and releasing Monday morning as we usually do, we will be taping Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal on Monday morning and releasing the episode later in the day. In the meantime, in case you haven't caught up yet, here's a quick update on the events that took place this weekend.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor=============================================It's been a busy week with a lot of moving pieces - there are new war plans in Gaza, the US-Houthi agreement, and of course, the Gulf Summit and a potential new deal between the US and Saudi Arabia. Here's what we do know:On Tuesday, during a press availability in the Oval Office of the White House, President Donald Trump told reporters that the total number of living hostages in Gaza dropped from 24 to 21. “As of today, it's 21. Three have died.”, he said. Israel maintains that officially, the list of living hostages remains 24. Trump also said that the US would stop bombing Yemen's Houthis after the Iran-backed group had agreed to stop interrupting important shipping lanes in the Middle East. The announcement did not mention the Houthi attacks on Israel, including a missile that hit Ben Gurion international airport on Saturday, to which Israel responded with a crippling attack on Yemen's international airport in Sanaa. Following Trump's announcement, a spokesman for the Houthis pledged that the strikes on Israel would continue. On Thursday, sources told Reuters that the United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for developing its nuclear program - a major concession by Washington. Senator Lindsey Graham says he opposes any pact with the Saudis that excludes normalization with Jewish state. Earlier in the week, on Monday, Israel's security cabinet authorized plans for the widening of the Gaza invasion, which if taken to its logical conclusion, meaning Hamas refuses to surrender and release the hostages – could result in an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza and reestablishing some permanent presence there.It is unclear at this point if this military plan is going to be implemented, or if it is used as leverage on Hamas as a negotiating tactic. That said, Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich said on Monday that “We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word' occupation.” To unpack what this all means, we are joined by Lahav Harkov, Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider. Senior Fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security.(00:00) Introduction(04:56) Potential US-Saudi deal(13:33) What do the Saudi's want?(15:37) IDF operations in Gaza(21:10) How would occupation work?(26:58) Strain on reservist soldiers(34:13) What are the options for Hamas?CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer 

Ark Media is looking for two college summer interns – one who can support operations and another who can support product design. To apply, please follow the links below:Product: https://app.testgorilla.com/s/b1e1of2hOperations: https://app.testgorilla.com/s/7hy7zlpuWatch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor Today's episode:Latest reporting from Times of Israel on wildfires: https://www.timesofisrael.com/fire-authority-needs-double-the-budget-to-cope-during-mega-fires-era-official/Next week, President Trump is heading to Saudi Arabia to convene a summit with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The agenda? Arms deals, AI partnerships, and a substantial Saudi investment pledge. Israel isn't on his itinerary, although Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has just announced that he will be traveling to Israel in advance of President Trump's Middle East trip, and that Secretary Hegseth will be meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz and Israel's military leadership. He will then travel to Saudi Arabia to accompany President Trump on his travels. The Middle East visit will also take place against the backdrop of an important personnel change on Trump's national security team – namely, the national security advisor Mike Waltz stepping down and moving to the UN. To unpack what's at stake for Israel and the US, we're joined by Mike Singh, former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council and now managing director at the Washington Institute, and Call me Back regular, Nadav Eyal, columnist for Yediot Ahronot.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:The Iran-backed Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning. The IDF said it tried to intercept the missile using Arrow and THAAD systems, but failed. A number of US and international airlines have since suspended flights in and out of Israel. This was the first time the Houthis had successfully hit Israel's national airport. To help us understand what happened and possible next steps, we are joined by Call Me Back regular Nadav Eyal for an emergency episode. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

To help struggling Israeli combat veterans find their way back, please visit the American Friends of Israel Navy SEALs' (AFINS): afins.us/warriorcareUpcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: 92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastSubscribe to Ark Media's new podcast ‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/HJI2mXArk Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorToday's episode:Flames that engulfed more than 5,000 acres around Jerusalem as Israel marked its 77th Independence Day. Dozens of Independence Day ceremonies were canceled, and according to many Israelis — the feelings of national solidarity that normally characterize this day were scarce. For the families of hostages in Gaza,  this was their second Yom Haatzmaut without their loved ones. And yet, Israelis are nothing if not resilient. The country's population has now surpassed 10 million people. Forty-five percent of all Jews on Earth today call Israel home. So, while there are reasons for concern, there are also reasons for hope. Reflecting on how far Israel has come, and where it may go from here, we are joined by bestselling author and senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, Yossi Klein Halevi, to discuss the debt we have to Israel's founders, and to the soldiers who have fallen in its defense. For Yossi Klein Halevi's books: tinyurl.com/ycfcn72uCREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Subscribe here to Ark Media's new podcast 'What's Your Number? - https://lnk.to/3AQhX5Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday we have a special announcement: Ark Media, which we created as a home for Call Me Back, is launching its second podcast: What's Your Number? - a weekly show focusing on Israel's economy through a global lens.Hosted by Michal Lev-Ram, an Israeli-born Silicon Valley-based tech journalist and contributing editor at Fortune, and Yonatan Adiri, an Israeli entrepreneur and former adviser to Shimon Peres, What's Your Number? unpacks the latest developments in the Israeli economy. The podcast debuts this Thursday, May 1. Watch the trailer and subscribe here: https://lnk.to/3AQhX5This episode of Call Me Back is something of a hybrid between our show and a preview for What's Your Number? It was our pleasure to sit down with our new hosts, Yonatan Adiri & Michal Lev-Ram, to discuss the historic transformation Israel has been undergoing since October 7th, 2023. Follow Michal on X: https://x.com/mlevramFollow Yonatan on X: https://x.com/yonatanadiriCREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastStreaming Notice:THE CHILDREN OF OCTOBER 7 — a new documentary film — reminds us all that Jewish children were slaughtered or taken hostage or made to watch the slaughtering of their parents in a systematic way not only in 1943, but in 2023. There's a reason why antisemitism is called “the oldest hatred.” It's also the most persistent. This is a difficult film to watch, but we are thankful to Montana Tucker and Eytan Schwartz for making it, and to Shari Redstone for finding it a home. That home is Paramount Plus. To watch the film, go to: https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/C3COr43yl99oKdjeWNsuo2Ma2OP4zvGv/To watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/LMC0Vef3V98?Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorToday's Conversation: On Tuesday, ​Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar submitted a newsmaking affidavit to Israel's Supreme Court, claiming he was dismissed by Prime Minister Netanyahu for refusing to carry out politically motivated orders. Bar also provided a 31-page affidavit to the court which is classified. Prime Minister Netanyhau has responded in the press to Bar's charges and has until Thursday to submit his own affidavit to the high court.In this episode, we discuss a number of the charges, explanations, and counter-charges. But the stakes here go well beyond politics. To understand the forces shaping this highly divisive debate, we are joined by journalist and author Ari Shavit, whose work has long examined the fault lines of Israeli society—most recently in his book, The Third Temple. {insert link}CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://tinyurl.com/26dwpymbUpcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorOn Saturday night, in an attempt to address two of Israel's most critical concerns - the hostage crisis in Gaza and the US-Iran nuclear negotiations - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a pre-recorded statement, in which he said that Hamas has formally rejected Israel's offer for a new deal. And, against the backdrop of a report in the New York Times that President Trump had headed off Israeli plans for a military operation against Iran's nuclear program, Netanyahu emphasized: "We are committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons." With both Tehran and Gaza in mind, we turn to two of Israel's leading journalists: Nadav Eyal, senior analyst at Yediot Achronot, and Amit Segal, senior political analyst at Channel 12 - to understand Israel's standing on these two critical fronts. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://tinyurl.com/26dwpymb------------------------------------------------------------------------------Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgSeven years after President Trump scrapped the Iranian nuclear deal, the U.S. is now engaged in direct negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran to try to reach a new deal. Yet the talks in Oman have so far raised more questions than answers, especially as Steve Witkoff has just clarified the administration's objective with regard to Iran's nuclear program, and as new reporting emerges of possible U.S.-Israel deliberations over military options.  Joining us is Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Jonathan has been closely monitoring the negotiations and been in contact with relevant U.S. and Israeli officials.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

LINK TO SURVEY: https://tinyurl.com/26dwpymb------------------------------------------------------------------------------Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's “State of World Jewry Address” at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.orgArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorThe growing CallMeBack community has evolved into something that we are still trying to fully understand. But we are developing a vision and a plan to sustain it, which will include some new podcasts and new podcasts hosts that we hope you'll add to your feed of regular listens. That's why we've created Ark Media, which will be the home for Call Me Back as well as some other podcasts. As we step into this next chapter, we want to get to know you better so here is a link to a 2 minute survey – we'd be grateful if you could fill it out and send our way. This is a separate survey from the one we provided almost a year ago, so please, even if you've filled out that survey, we ask that you spend 2 minutes on this one as well. From all of us at Ark Media, we wish you a meaningful Pesach.

Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's “State of World Jewry Address” at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgIn response to escalating tensions with Iran, the US, over the past month, has been quietly — and not so quietly — ramping up its military presence in the region, signaling it's preparing for the possibility of direct confrontation with Iran. Six B-2 stealth bombers, capable of carrying bunker busting weapons, have been deployed to Diego Garcia, a remote base in the Indian Ocean that's well within striking distance of Iran. At the same time, while missile defense systems have been repositioned to guard against Iranian retaliation, the US Navy has extended the deployment of the Harry Truman carrier strike group and has sent in the USS Carl Vinson, adding serious firepower to the region.So, to many Israelis, it came as a surprise when President Trump, with Mr. Netanyahu sitting beside him, announced on Monday that the United States would engage in “direct” negotiations with Iran on Saturday, in a last-ditch effort to rein in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. So we're looking at a very volatile situation, with military might being deployed on the one hand, and a diplomacy track underway on the other. How are Israeli decision-makers assessing the situation?With us today is Call me Back regular Nadav Eyal, senior analyst for Yediot Achronot, to help us unpack how we got here, and what Israelis expect to happen next.  CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgUpcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressToday's episode: Jews began celebrating Passover during the actual exodus from Egypt, sometime in the 13th–15th century BCE, and the tradition has continued—evolving but unbroken—ever since. To honor this tradition, we will be doing something different on this Call me Back episode - we will be talking about Passover, and about what this tradition can teach us about this paradoxical moment.With us today is Rachel Goldberg, who – for most of her career – was a professional Jewish educator. We wanted to speak with her as we prepare for our seders. Items discussed in this episode:BOOK: A Cold War Exodus: How American Activists Mobilized to Free Soviet Jews, by Shaul KelnerPODCAST: Listening to "Call Me Back" On Motzaei Shabbos  CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Please follow this link to subscribe to SAPIR, a quarterly publication edited by Bret Stephens: sapirjournal.org/dansenorWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgUpcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressIt was a historic week in Gaza, as tens of thousands of Palestinians protested against Hamas in the largest demonstrations against Hamas in Gaza's history. While the protests seem to have dissipated amidst a violent crackdown by Hamas and the killing of several protest leaders, these demonstrations could have a meaningful impact on Gaza's future. To discuss the context behind these protests and where they might lead, we sat down with a native of Gaza who has been one of the most outspoken voices against Hamas in the Palestinian diaspora. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is a Gazan-American writer and analyst whose work has been published in The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. Ahmed grew up in Gaza and left in 2005 as an exchange student in the United States, where he later received asylum and citizenship. Ahmed is a Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, where he directs the Realign for Palestine project: https://realignforpalestine.org/Follow Ahmed on X: https://x.com/afalkhatibThe Times of Israel article referenced in this episode: https://www.timesofisrael.com/gazan-man-murdered-by-hamas-after-joining-protests-against-terror-group/CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgFor this special episode of Call Me Back, Dan sat down with two long-time friends, Dina Powell McCormick and Senator Dave McCormick, to speak about their new book, Who Believed in You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World. We also discussed Senator McCormick's work on Israel/Middle East foreign policy. Dina Powell McCormick is a partner senior executive at BDT & MSD Partners and was formerly a partner and member of the management committee at Goldman Sachs. She has served in various roles in government, including Deputy National Security Advisor in the first Trump administration, and a number of senior positions in the White House and State Department of in the George W. Bush Administration. David McCormick is a US Senator of Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, Counterterrorism. He is the former CEO of Bridgewater Associates and also served in high-ranking positions in the George W. Bush administration. Dina & David McCormick's new book, Who Believed in You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World: https://a.co/d/0uvZceYORhttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-believed-in-you-david-mccormick/1144556623?ean=9781400235919CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music ComposerZiv Gedzelman - Additional Research

Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgIsraelis are bracing for a crisis between the Government and the Judiciary, after the Government took the unprecedented step of firing the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, prompting Israel's Supreme Court to freeze his suspension. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government have made clear their intent to move forward with Bar's dismissal, and have already started the search for his replacement. While much of this is historic, tensions between the Shin Bet and Israel's elected leaders are nothing new. In fact, this friction goes back to the founding of the State. Our guest is Amichai Cohen, who joins us from Israel. Amichai is an expert on Israel's internal security agency, and the laws concerning Israel's national security. He is a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, where he leads the program on national security. Amichai is also the author of four books, and a professor of law at Ono Academic College. His latest article, about the firing of Ronen Bar, is available here: https://en.idi.org.il/articles/58760CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Upcoming Event Notice: Dan Senor will be delivering this year's State of World Jewry Address at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) on Tuesday May 13 at 7:30 pm. To register: https://www.92ny.org/event/the-state-of-world-jewry-addressWatch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorgIsrael's pre-October 7th and post-October 7th worlds are colliding, as the war in Gaza resumes, along with the internal strife that preceded it. Today we discuss Israel's new and expanding military campaign in Gaza, its objectives, the difference in war-fighting strategy between the IDF's former chief-of-staff and new chief-of-staff, and the kind of enemy the IDF is facing now in Gaza compared to what the IDF was facing before the ceasefire. All of this is against the backdrop of domestic political tensions reaching a boiling point over the Government's efforts to remove the head of the Shin Bet and the Attorney General. Our guest is Seth Frantzman, who joins us from Jerusalem. Seth is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post. He is also an adjunct fellow at the Foundation For Defense of Democracies, and the author of three books. He received his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Seth has served as a research associate at the IDC in Herzliya and a lecturer at Al-Quds University. His latest book is The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza: https://lnk.to/XGEe6bx0.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorg We recorded an emergency episode as fighting resumes against Hamas in Gaza, ending a cease-fire that lasted 57 days; as military operations escalate between the U.S. and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen; and as Prime Minister Netanyahu moves to fire Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet security agency. To discuss this rapidly-evolving escalation of events we are joined by two of Israel's leading journalists and mainstays of this podcast.  Amit Segal is a columnist for Yediot Ahronot, and chief political analyst for Israel's Channel 12.  Nadav Eyal is also a columnist at Yediot, and the recipient of Israel's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.  Nadav's article about Netanyahu's decision to fire Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skykzau31e CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor of Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OrSnIuzd-FcTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorg In the immediate aftermath of October 7, 2023, many Israelis expected a political reckoning. Yet, no clear alternative to Netanyahu has emerged. While there is no shortage of politicians who oppose him, the power of those on the center and the left seems stymied at best. We invited the leader of the official opposition in Israel's Knesset to the podcast to discuss what he and his party stand for, whether the center of gravity of Israel's politics has shifted, and why Israel's political opposition does not appear to be a major force today. Yair Lapid is a former journalist and the founder and leader of Israel's centrist Yesh Atid party. Since entering politics in 2013, Lapid has served as Israel's Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, and for a brief time, Prime Minister. He is now Leader of the Opposition.   CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eRJo_4ajvjUTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorArk Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkmediaorg To sponsor Call me Back episodes: CallMeBack@ArkMedia.org Over the last 17 months, we have watched in shock as Ivy League campuses became hotbeds of support for terrorists and their ideology. A powerful new documentary that the Academy Awards refused to consider illuminates how - and more importantly why - college campuses became a pivotal front in the war against Israel.  “October 8” opens in theaters on Friday, March 14th, featuring a number of Call Me Back guests. The film is riveting, and revealing, examining the forces that enabled Islamist extremists to shape the minds of millions of well-meaning Americans.  We sat down with the filmmaker and one of the experts in her film, to discuss Hamas's infiltration of academia, the entertainment industry, and other progressive spaces. Wendy Sachs is an author, documentary filmmaker and Director and Executive Producer of October 8.  Lorenzo Vidino is Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.  More about “October 8” here: https://www.october8film.com/ See if the film is playing in a theater near you: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Su6dhLxHGWuOKrDjXregnmgPd6SxJcAd4fRVa07yTvk/edit?tab=t.0 CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor, Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - Research YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenor------------------------------------------------------>>Please follow this link to subscribe to SAPIR, a quarterly publication edited by Bret Stephens: sapirjournal.org/CallMeBack------------------------------------------------------>>Last month we published the first in a series of interviews with former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, telling the story of the October 7th War from his unique vantage point. Our first interview, “Four Days in October,” focused on the intense deliberations that took place behind closed doors regarding the possibility of Israel responding to its stronger adversary first, Hezbollah in Lebanon, rather than Hamas in the Gaza Strip. If you have not heard or seen that interview, you can find it here. For the second interview in our series with General Gallant, we focused on the most difficult aspect of this war - the hostages in Gaza and the efforts to bring them home.Yoav Gallant served as Israel's Defense Minister from 2022 until 2024. He was fired by Benjamin Netanyahu twice in those two years, first in 2023, when massive protests in Israel led Netanyahu to reverse his decision, then again in November of 2024. Gallant is a member of Netanyahu's Likud party. His military career spans five decades, beginning in 1977 as a naval commando in Shayetet 13, and serving as chief of the IDF's Southern Command during Operation Cast Lead, an early war with Hamas that lasted from late 2008 to early 2009. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor of Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - Research Intern YUVAL SEMO - Music ComposerAMIEL SHAPIRO - Voice Actor

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorLast week, three federal agencies — including the Department of Education — announced a comprehensive review of the funding relationships between the federal government and Columbia University in regards to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Like most universities, Columbia receives a great deal of federal funding. The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, created by the Trump Administration, announced that it will visit 10 university campuses that have  seen a shocking rise in antisemitism since October 7, 2023.According to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, “Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled. Institutions that receive federal funds have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination. Columbia's apparent failure to uphold their end of this basic agreement raises very serious questions about the institution's fitness to continue doing business with the United States government.”According to Maya Sulkin in the Free Press, “even though Columbia formed a Task Force on Antisemitism weeks after Hamas's invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, and issued two reports that revealed shocking instances of Jew hate on campus—not just among students but professors and administrators—the college has done little to root out the problem.”As a result, on Friday the Trump Administration announced the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants to  and contracts with Columbia. Following these developments, one could be left with the impression that higher education is doomed. Yetwe were struck by the reaction from the Call Me Back community to a conversation we had with the Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, Daniel Diermeier, last November, in an episode titled “How Vanderbilt University is getting it right.” It reminded us that some universities have impressively navigated the past 16 months.Vanderbilt is one of them. Another is Washington University. The Chancellors of both universities (Washington University Chancellor Andrew Martin and Vanderbilt's Diermeier) recently issued a set of principles that every university should be able to adopt. They summarized these principles in a piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education, titled: “Universities Must Reject Creeping Politicization.” You can read it here: There have been other universities, like the University of Michigan, which in the months after October 7, 2023 experienced massive disruptions. Yet according to conversations we have had with current Jewish students, the university administration has been doing much better than others. University of Michigan President Santa Ono has taken promising steps on a number of fronts, including the University's relationship with Israel, that could also serve as  a model.So, against the backdrop of chaos at Columbia and Barnard this past week, we sat down with WashU's Andrew Martin and Michigan's Santa Ono at the ADL's “Never is Now” Summit in New York City, for a candid conversation about what has happened at each of their universities, lessons learned, and charting a path forward. Additional items:ADL's Campus Antisemitism Report Card: https://www.adl.org/campus-antisemitism-report-card-Free Press reporting on Columbia University:https://www.thefp.com/p/exclusive-trump-administration-cancels-https://www.thefp.com/p/trump-columbia-antisemitism-federal-fundingCREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor of Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - Research Intern YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pSSh03tpRIITo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenor The Two-State Solution had been on life support long before October 7. While Hamas's massacre shattered Israelis from all walks of life, those from the kibbutzim near the Gaza border — many of whom lifelong advocates for a Palestinian State — were among the hardest hit.  Though stark divisions in Israeli society remain, there now seems to be a broad consensus among the people of Israel and their political parties on one conclusion: the two-state solution is all but dead. Yet one Israeli leader - one of the very few who battled terrorists in Southern Israel and rescued Israelis on October 7 - continues to hold out hope.  Yair Golan is a decorated general, former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff  and head of the The Israeli Democrats Party. We sat down with General Golan to discuss Israel's future, the misconceptions that led to October 7, and the unique role he played on that darkest of days.  CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - EditorYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor of Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - Research Intern YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorOn Thursday, the IDF released the scathing findings of its probe into the military failures that led up to and accompanied the massacre of October 7, 2023. According to those findings, the military vastly underestimated Hamas's capabilities, misread its intentions, and failed to mount an effective response to the mass invasion of Israel's borders. The IDF's probe into its own failures reveals both the extent to which warnings went ignored, and the extent to which so many communities in Southern Israel were forced to fend for themselves. While some of these findings come as no surprise, they are still shocking and devastating to process. We spoke with two of Israel's leading national security journalists to walk through the key points of the findings.  Amos Harel is the Defense Analyst at Haaretz, and Nadav Eyal is a Senior Political Analyst at Yediot Achronot. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Additional EditingYARDENA SCHWARTZ - Executive Editor of Ark MediaGABE SILVERSTEIN - Research  YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorAn entire nation mourned yesterday as Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were laid to rest, following a procession through streets of Israel that were lined with thousands of Israelis. As Yarden Bibas delivered eulogies for his wife and children who were murdered by terrorists in Gaza, we were all reminded of the millions of people around the world who celebrated or justified the attacks that shattered their lives and so many others. While much of that moral confusion has emanated from the Left of the political spectrum, the courage and moral conviction of one leader on the Left has stood out. Over the past 16 months, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has been one of the staunchest supporters of Israel's war against Hamas. Fetterman, a Democrat who is not Jewish, has been more outspoken in his support for Israel than most of his Jewish colleagues. As a result, Fetterman has gone from being a hero of the Left to becoming a lightning rod for many progressives. And yet, he has not backed down from the fight he perceives as a decisive turning point for his party, and a test for whether or not it will continue to stand for true liberal values. John Fetterman, Senator and former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, joined us to discuss his controversial stance on an issue that has divided the Democratic party, and what the future holds for his party. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Additional EditingSTAV SLAMA - Director of Operations GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/ Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenor Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenor As phase 1 of the ceasefire and hostage deal enters its final week, the fate of phase 2 of the deal remains uncertain. While hostages' families are urging for a continuation of the deal to bring all the remaining hostages home, parts of the Israeli government are pressing for a return to the war. With Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff traveling to the region this week to push for an extension of the deal, we turned to a Call Me Back regular and leading Israeli journalist to make sense of the mixed signals we are seeing from every direction. Amit Segal is a columnist for Yediot Ahronot, and a senior political analyst for Israel's Channel 12. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Additional EditingSTAV SLAMA - Director of Operations GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Housekeeping note:Ark Media, the humble home of this podcast, is looking for a purpose-driven Chief Operating Officer, to help facilitate its ambitious plans for the future. If you are interested in applying for the position, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/mp5udcxr Watch Call me Back on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenor Following a gut-wrenching 48 hours for the Bibas family and for all of us, six living hostages were released from Gaza today, including two who had been held there not for a year, but a decade. Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, and Tal Shoham were abducted on October 7, 2023. Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, and Hisham al-Sayed, an Israeli Arab, had crossed into Gaza in 2014 and 2015, and were then taken hostage by Hamas.Hamas's decision to release more living hostages than originally planned today is believed – according to our Israeli sources – to be a response to a sustained American pressure campaign. Part of that pressure includes President Trump's proposal for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and relocate its entire population.Two weeks since its unveiling, Trump's Gaza proposal has continued to drive headlines and debate around the world. Though that proposal is already impacting the policy decisions of various stakeholders in Gaza, it is still largely perceived as a shocking, unprecedented idea. For this episode of Call Me Back, we sat down with a historian who argues that Trump's plan is in fact aligned with the outcome of many modern wars. Andrew Roberts is a British historian, member of the House of Lords, and the author of 24 books, including the New York Times bestseller, Churchill: Walking with Destiny. In a recent article for the Washington Free Beacon, Roberts writes, “peoples who unleash unprovoked aggressive wars against their neighbors and are then defeated…lose either their government or their sovereignty, or both.”To read more by Andrew Roberts on this topic, go to the Washington Free Beacon: https://freebeacon.com/israel/the-historical-case-for-trumps-riviera/