Podcasts about Israel Defense Forces

By the spring of 1948, three armed Jewish militias had been fighting and working towards the birth of modern Israel. There was the Haganah, under David Ben-Gurion, which would become the core of the new Israel Defense Forces. There was the Irgun, led by Menachem Begin, and a smaller group, the Lehi. Begin agreed to dissolve the Irgun units operating in Israel into the new army, a decision he made in the name of national unity and cohesion even though tensions between the Irgun and the Haganah were deep, and Haganah operatives had previously informed on their counterparts in the Irgun to British officials. Even so, the Irgun had pledged to become a part of the IDF in the newly formed state of Israel. A month after Ben-Gurion declared independence, a ship named the Altalena set sail from France under the auspices of the Irgun, carrying rifles and some 900 immigrants, many of them survivors of the Shoah. The ship left port the same day a United Nations cease-fire took effect, a truce that barred the importation of any new arms or combatants into the country. When it reached the coast at Kfar Vitkin just north of Tel Aviv, a dispute broke out over how the weapons would be distributed, and in particular over Begin's insistence that a share go to an Irgun battalion in Jerusalem, which he argued stood outside the truce's terms since Jerusalem's status remained unsettled under the UN partition plan. The standoff turned violent onshore, and Begin ordered the ship to sail south, to Tel Aviv, in full view of the city and the international press. Near what is today Frishman Beach, Ben-Gurion gave the order to open fire on the ship, and by this time, with Begin aboard, on his main political rival. Two officers refused before a third accepted the command. Sixteen Irgun men and three IDF soldiers were killed. And Begin, standing on the burning deck with comrades dying around him, ordered his own men not to fire back. He would repeat that order over the radio that night: never, he said, could he condone a war between brothers. The specter of the Altalena has haunted Israeli politics ever since. It plays a potent and mythological role in the imagination of the political right as one of the earliest examples of a centralized government dominated by the political left that uses the power of the state against its domestic opponents. Now, six weeks before an Israeli election, the wreckage of the Altalena has been discovered. To discuss the ship's sinking and the significance of its recovery, Jonathan Silver, the host of the Tikvah podcast and the editor of Mosaic, is joined by the historian, educator, and writer Avi Shilon. Shilon is the author of, among other works of scholarship, the definitive biography of Menachem Begin, published in 2012 by Yale University Press.

Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he won’t try to revive a stalled truce with Iran, leaving the simmering conflict in the Middle East and a tussle for control of the Strait of Hormuz stuck in limbo. A memorandum of understanding the US and Iran signed in June that gave them a 60-day window to negotiate a lasting peace deal technically expired Monday, and when Trump was asked if he would seek an extension, he replied: “No.” The ceasefire had been repeatedly violated in any event, with intermittent clashes continuing, and both sides had declared it defunct. Brent crude climbed Tuesday - by its highest level in more than three weeks - as prospects dimmed for a swift reopening of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas transited before the war. Trump is demanding that free passage through the waterway be restored, while Iran said it will govern traffic in conjunction with Oman. 2) Jared Kushner assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Israeli army won’t be compelled to withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms, an official with knowledge of the talks said, a stance that will dim hopes for a Gaza peace deal anytime soon. Kushner met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, a day after holding talks with a Hamas leader in Egypt. The US and Israel agreed there would be no Israel Defense Forces redeployment from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed and all of Gaza is demilitarized, according to the Board of Peace official, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. Those conditions are likely to be rejected by Hamas, which has insisted that Israel withdraw from Gaza before it gives up its weapons.3) Chinese leader Xi Jinping will forgo a stop in New York to address the UN General Assembly during a trip to the US next month to meet President Donald Trump, Politico reported. Politico cited four people familiar with the matter whom it didn’t identify. Xi plans to visit the US for three days, meeting Trump on Sept. 24, one of the people said. There’d been speculation that Xi would join other world leaders at the UN meeting as part of his US visit. Trump invited Xi to visit during his trip to Beijing in May. The two sides used their spring summit to steady ties that had deteriorated over trade, tech, Taiwan and other issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Israel Baharav is one of Israel's most accomplished fighter pilots, credited with twelve MiG-21 kills during his distinguished career in the Israeli Air Force. Over three decades of military service, he flew on the front lines, commanded a fighter squadron, served as Head of Air Force Intelligence, and led strategic planning efforts for the Israel Defense Forces, helping establish the framework for strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States. Following his military career, General Baharav transitioned into the world of technology and entrepreneurship, founding and leading multiple companies at the forefront of digital printing, 3D manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. In this episode, Cinco talks with Israel and he shares lessons from a lifetime of leadership in combat, and strategy, offering unique insights into what it takes to succeed in the world's highest-consequence environments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded August 10, 2026: Mike and Laureen continue their discussion about the growing political divide surrounding Israel, antisemitism and the Democratic Party. They are joined by University of South Florida Professor Cody Levine, an Israel Institute Fellow and former Israel Defense Forces soldier who teaches about U.S. and Middle Eastern relations. Levine discusses the current climate on campus and the concerns facing Jewish students, while examining how the sources, rhetoric and meaning of antisemitism have evolved. The conversation also asks a difficult but important question: What is a useful call to action in the current climate? The episode concludes with a discussion of the latest proposed peace plan for Gaza and the reasons Israel has rejected it, including concerns over Hamas disarmament and Israel's security.   Thank you for listening, sharing and subscribing to The Third Opinion Podcast.

Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) President Trump said the US was only "semi-negotiating" with Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz, and that the US was "low keying it" as Iran faces huge inflation and no money. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's military adviser Mohsen Rezaee was named the new leader of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, and has been an advocate for full Iranian control over Hormuz. Tehran published a list of demands for Washington as conditions for fully reopening Hormuz, including lifting the naval blockade, withdrawing forces, removing sanctions, and releasing frozen assets, which may be difficult for the US to meet alone.2) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposal by US-backed mediators for disarming Hamas, saying "Israel does not accept the 15-point document." Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and it will continue to thwart threats against Israeli forces and citizens. The Board of Peace described the roadmap as its deal with Hamas, rather than with Israel, and said that nobody is required to do anything before verified steps are taken on the ground by the Palestinian cadres.3) The US Supreme Court has a reputation problem, with polls showing poor approval ratings and a record low support amid continued attacks on the institution from President Trump. A majority of Americans believe the justices tend to act for political reasons, not legal ones, which experts see as unhealthy and potentially dangerous. The court's reputation has been driven down by factors including a hyper-partisan confirmation process, polarizing decisions, and ethics controversies, leading to calls for Congress to impose term limits or expand the court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What compels a young man from Long Island to leave behind the comforts of home and enlist in the Israel Defense Forces as a Lone Soldier? In this powerful episode of IsraelCast, Ira Kohler shares the extraordinary journey that took him from studying economics at the University of Delaware to serving in the IDF's elite 890th Paratroopers Battalion after making Aliyah in 2022. When Hamas launched its devastating October 7 attack, Ira found himself thrust into some of the war's fiercest fighting, including the battle for Kibbutz Be'eri, before spending more than 100 days operating inside Gaza. He reflects on the realities of combat, the bonds forged between soldiers, the sacrifices of those who fell—including his childhood friend Omer Neutra—and the enduring sense of purpose that carried him through war. Now back in the United States, Ira has transformed his experiences into his memoir, Once a Paratrooper, and has become a sought-after public speaker, sharing an intimate and deeply personal perspective on courage, service, resilience, and the profound connection between the Jewish people and Israel.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. In his first public comments on the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel has not agreed to the Board of Peace’s Hamas disarmament plan, which was accepted by the terror group last week, and will not withdraw behind the Yellow Line until the terror group has laid down its arms. Fabian explains what the Yellow Line is and how it has shifted since the ceasefire began in October. An investigation by the Israel Defense Forces into last month’s deadly clash in the West Bank village of Tell has found that the hike by Israeli settlers in the area was not coordinated or approved by the army, and that officers did not respond to an ensuing clash with Palestinians with sufficient manpower. Fabian brings more conclusions and operational failures. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the army’s top officer in the West Bank, is “performing his duties well.” This is only news in light of Katz's comments on national TV the night before. Fabian unravels this knotty issue. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Netanyahu says Israel ‘didn’t agree’ to Board of Peace’s terms for disarming Hamas After dissing IDF West Bank chief, announcing replacement on live TV, Katz now says he’s doing ‘well,’ isn’t ousted Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Torah warns us in Parshat Eikev about forgetting God due to arrogance, it pinpoints the exact root of that pride: accumulating great wealth and concluding, " כֹּחִי וְעֹצֶם יָדִי עָשָׂה לִי אֶת הַחַיל הַזֶּה " ("My strength and the power of my hand made me this chayil "). What does chayil mean here? Ramban explains that chayil refers to war (as in Chaylei Tzahal , the Israel Defense Forces). Under this interpretation, the verse describes someone boasting, "My success in battle was achieved through my own strength." Instead, the Torah instructs us to remember: " כִּי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל " ("It is Hashem your God who gives you the strength to achieve military victory"). Ramban notes that while Jewish soldiers are capable and powerful fighters, they must recognize that their strength originates from God to avoid falling into arrogance. This illustrates a vital principle: although we must put in our hishtadlut (practical effort)—and we may execute it skillfully enough to veil the underlying divine intervention—we must always remember that the success remains a miracle. A striking example of hishtadlut and victory comes from modern history: the famous raid on Entebbe. Operation Entebbe (Operation Yonatan) On the night of July 3–4, 1976, the IDF executed Operation Thunderbolt, a daring commando mission that rescued 102 hostages held at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The crisis began when an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists and diverted to Uganda. The hijackers separated the Israeli and Jewish passengers from the rest, holding over 100 captives while demanding the release of imprisoned militants. Idi Amin's Israeli Connection Uganda's dictator, Idi Amin, welcomed the hijackers and deployed Ugandan troops to assist them. Ironically, Amin had close historical ties to Israel: Military Training: In the 1960s, Amin underwent officer and paratrooper training in Israel under IDF instructors. Israeli Contacts: During the crisis, Israeli officials attempted to leverage Amin's personal friendship with retired IDF Colonel Baruch "Burka" Bar-Lev, who phoned Amin repeatedly to negotiate the release of the hostages. However, Amin used the situation for international posturing and refused to free the captives. The Mercedes-Benz Decoy Strategy Because Entebbe was over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from Israel, surprise was critical to prevent guards and hijackers from killing the hostages before commandos could reach the terminal. The Scheme: Israeli intelligence knew Idi Amin frequently visited the airport in a black Mercedes-Benz 600 escorted by Land Rovers. The Execution: The assault team, led by Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu (older brother of Benjamin Netanyahu), loaded a black Mercedes styled to mimic Amin's official vehicle into the lead C-130 transport plane. The Assault: Upon landing under cover of darkness, the commandos drove the Mercedes and Land Rovers directly toward the terminal. The ruse bought precious time, allowing the assault force to approach the building before Ugandan guards realized what was happening. The Outcome Hostages Rescued: 102 of 106 hostages were safely evacuated. Enemy Casualties: All seven hijackers and approximately 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed. Three hostages died in the crossfire during the raid, and a fourth (Dora Bloch) was later murdered in a Ugandan hospital on Amin's orders. IDF Losses: Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu was the sole Israeli military fatality. Tactical Impact: Commandos destroyed several Ugandan MiG fighter jets on the tarmac to prevent pursuit during takeoff. This 53-minute ground raid remains one of the most famous special operations in modern military history. Despite the tragic loss of Yonatan Netanyahu, the operation was celebrated as a monumental victory. I recall a student arriving at my elementary school the following week wearing a T-shirt featuring Idi Amin saluting, captioned: Kol Hakavod leTzahal ("All respect to the Israeli Army"). While the IDF displayed extraordinary bravery, preparation, and skill, we must keep the ultimate source of success in mind: " כִּי הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל " ("For it is He who gives you the strength to achieve success"). Therefore, the ultimate praise belongs to God: Kol Hakavod laHashem . As the verse states, " לִכְבוֹדִי בְּרָאתִיו " ("I created it for My glory")—the world was created so that we might recognize and reflect God's honor. We say " בָּרוּךְ כְּבוֹד ה' מִמְּקוֹמוֹ " ("Blessed is the glory of Hashem from His place") and " בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד " ("Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever"). Ultimately, all honor for our achievements returns to Him. That is the first explanation of chayil . A second explanation defines chayil as the amassing of financial wealth. When someone builds a fortune, they often attribute it entirely to their own acumen, leading to pride. Notice what Targum Onkelos says on " כִּי הוּא הַנֹּתֵן לְךָ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת חָיִל ": God does not merely give you physical energy to go to work; " הוּא יָהֵב לָךְ עֵצָה לְמִקְנֵי נִכְסִין "—He gives you the ideas and insight to acquire property. You might think your business success stems from your brilliant choice of strategy, brand, or market entry, but those insights originate with God. As the verse teaches: " רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב אִישׁ וַעֲצַת ה' הִיא תָקוּם " ("There are many thoughts in a man's heart, but it is Hashem's counsel that stands"). The good decisions that yield your success are ultimately God's ideas brought to fruition. It is human nature to point fingers at areas that do not apply to us directly. As a rabbi who neither runs a corporate enterprise nor serves as a frontline soldier, I could easily look at businessmen and warriors and say, "What is wrong with you? Don't you realize God gives you your strength and wealth?" It is easy to lecture others on spiritual flaws when we aren't tested in those same areas. (Brief pause due to an emergency call—returning to the topic now.) Why do we find it so easy to judge others when we have no skin in the game? There is a well-known parable about a man applying to join the Communist Party. The interviewer asks: "If you had two houses, would you give one to Mother Russia?" "Of course!" he replies. "If you had two cars, would you give one?" "Without hesitation!" "If you had two coats, would you give one?" "No way." "Why not?" asks the interviewer. "Because I actually have two coats!" In theory, loyalty is effortless. When an obligation touches our actual possessions or lifestyle, our perspective shifts. So it is easy for an observer to ask why soldiers or entrepreneurs do not attribute their success to God. However, self-examination requires looking deeper. The prophet Yirmiyahu identifies three distinct areas where people take self-righteous pride (a passage read on Tisha B'Av, a day centered on the consequences of forgetting God): " אַל יִתְהַלֵּל חָכָם בְּחָכְמָתוֹ וְאַל יִתְהַלֵּל הַגִּבּוֹר בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ אַל יִתְהַלֵּל עָשִׁיר בְּעָשְׁרוֹ " ("Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches"). Instead, " כִּי אִם בְּזֹאת יִתְהַלֵּל הַמִּתְהַלֵּל הַשְׂכֵּל וְיָדֹעַ אוֹתִי " ("Let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me"). What did we personally construct to earn that glory? Our Sages teach: " הַכֹּל בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם חוּץ מִיִּרְאַת שָׁמַיִם " ("Everything is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven"). As the verse states, " מָה ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ שֹׁאֵל מֵעִמָּךְ כִּי אִם לְיִרְאָה " ("What does Hashem your God ask of you, except to fear Him"). When you close a profitable deal, recover your health, or arrive at a brilliant insight in Torah study, that clarity originates from God. Does this mean we carry no moral accountability for our actions? Of course not. God provides human beings with energy and mental capacity, but our moral choices remain entirely ours. God grants us the physical ability to speak, but whether we choose to speak Lashon Hara (derogatory speech) or refrain from it is our own moral decision. God does not compel us to sin. To understand human temptation on a deeper level: prior to Adam's sin, evil was entirely external to humanity (represented by the serpent outside of man). After the sin, evil became internalized within the human psyche. When an internal voice prompts someone to speak Lashon Hara , that voice is not divine inspiration; it is the internalized influence of the serpent ( Yetzer Hara ). God created those opposing forces to preserve free choice. We cannot blame God for our wrongdoing—we chose to listen to the temptation rather than to God's command. Divine inspiration grants us the constructive ideas for success, strength, and financial breakthrough; moral choice determines whether we obey God's laws. These three arenas of pride are visible even in early childhood. I once walked with my first-grade grandson and asked him, "What makes a kid cool in school?" He listed three traits: Athletic ability: Being good at sports. Possessions: Having cool gear (like bringing the best basketball to the playground). Academics: Getting top marks on tests. Even in elementary school, the baseline metrics of social prestige mirror the biblical categories: Sports capability represents Gibbor (strength). Possessions represent Ashir (wealth). High test scores represent Chacham (wisdom). Every individual—whether a business executive, a rabbi, or a stay-at-home parent—must recognize that achievements in these areas stem from God. The central spiritual struggle is internalizing this truth to prevent arrogance. When it comes to finance, cause and effect do not always operate linearly. Effort invested in one area often yields results from an unexpected direction. Consider the well-known story of yeshiva students who spent a day soliciting donations and returned empty-handed. The next morning, the Rosh Yeshiva thanked them for their hard work. They protested, "Why are you thanking us? We brought in no money." The Rosh Yeshiva replied, "An anonymous donor just walked in and gave a massive contribution. That happened because of the effort you put in yesterday." Your dedicated effort ( hishtadlut ) triggers divine reward, though often through channels you never anticipated. This explains the Talmudic maxim: " יָגַעְתָּ וּמָצָאתָ תַּאֲמִין " ("If a person says, 'I have toiled and I have found,' believe him"). Why does the Sages' phrase use the word "found" ( matzata ) rather than "produced" or "earned"? Because even after rigorous toil, the ultimate success arrives like a metzia (a lost object found unexpectedly). There is no automatic, mechanical correlation between our input and the output—especially in financial matters. While we easily understand this dynamic in business, how does it apply to wisdom ( Chacham ) and physical strength ( Gibbor )? When someone studies a complex topic and masters it, or adheres to a workout regimen and gets fit, they naturally feel a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Next, we will explore the challenges of strength and wisdom, and how we can avoid arrogance when taking pride in those accomplishments.

I spoke with Sharren Haskel in mid July, within days of her resignation from the Knesset. Immediately after the coalition government voted to recognize religious study as being a national foundational value, Haskel left the Knesset chamber and went straight to the cluster of reporters in the hallway. She would not stand by as the government made decisions that immediately imperiled the safety and security of Israel. For months, the IDF Chief of Staff has been warning the government that the army is about to collapse in on itself. Prime Minister Netanyahu pushed ahead, regardless, with his promise to the ultra-orthodox parties to enact a law giving them a lifetime exemption from IDF service. This policy is pushing Israelis - exhausted from three years of war - to the brink. Perhaps over. National unity and values are shaping up to be the key issue in this election to be held on October 27. There is no more fundamental value than security and defense. And equality. Sharren Haskel has long fought for these core principles and is now staking her political future on ensuring that this next election brings the change that more than 70% of Israelis want. A universal draft and an end to the absurd financial and other entitlements allocated to the haredim. We discuss this critical moment in the history of Israel and how she intends to bring much needed change Sharren is also one of the few women in the political scene. Israel used to be so much more progressive than so many countries. Or so it seemed. As haredi power becomes more entrenched and Likud is a hollowed-out husk of talent, we see a government dominated by older men. Older tired men. It is time for a new wave of talent and leadership.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivSharren Haskel is married and the mother of three young children.At 18, she served in the Israel Defense Force, as a combat soldier in the Border Guards during the Second Intifada. Following her military service, Deputy Minister Haskel pursued a career in veterinary medicine.Haskel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from The Open University in Israel, where she also was the Israeli national debating champion. She entered the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in 2015.In November 2024, she was sworn in as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. She resigned from her position in mid July, immediately following the Knesset vote recognizing religious study as a foundational value ofState of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

For review:1. Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, by sea and possibly including a ground operation, The Guardian reported Thursday. 2.  The United States and Israel are planning what would be one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date against energy infrastructure in Iran, multiple sources told CBS News, with strikes possible throughout the weekend. 3.  The Israeli military blew up a Hezbollah tunnel system beneath the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced late Thursday night in a joint statement. They said the Israel Defense Forces used 700 tons of explosives to demolish the subterranean facility.  4. US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement on the “complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.” 5. USMC F-35B crasheded today  in California, according to the service. The pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local medical facility, the service said in a statement. The pilot is being treated and evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, the statement added. No additional details were immediately available. 

Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been reached to disarm Hamas in Gaza, while also forcing Israel to withdraw its troops from the strip. The President is hailing it as a ‘monumental step towards lasting PEACE and SECURITY'. But can it succeed where so many other attempts have failed?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Michael Evans, contributor and former defence editor, The Times.Jonathan Conricus, former spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.Hosts: Ryan Tubridy, Ayesha Hazarika.Producers: Lewis Decker, Musty Aziz.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Trump hails historic Gaza deal – but will it work?Further listening: The ticking time bomb Netanyahu faces at homePhoto: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. A drone hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta yesterday. No party has claimed responsibility, and authorities are continuing their investigations; however, two unnamed Iranian sources are quoted by The New York Times as heavily implying that Tehran was behind yesterday’s attack, marking the first targeting of that country in the current war. As Iran flexes, Fabian describes the role of CENTCOM in the region and discusses recent cooperative strikes held by the US and Saudi Arabia. We explore the concept of Israeli air supremacy and learn what US assets are currently on Israeli soil -- and flying off of it. Fabian updates on the Hezbollah drone that hit an Israeli armored bulldozer stationed in the IDF’s south Lebanon buffer zone overnight Tuesday, in violation of the ongoing truce. We next turn to Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday struck a mosque in Gaza City, saying Wednesday that it was one of several Hamas weapons depots in the central and northern Gaza Strip that it destroyed this week. In the second half of the program, we turn to the case of an Israeli civilian who previously served in the military in a classified unit who has been arrested and charged with spying on behalf of Iran. Fabian touches on similar recent cases and explains that perhaps these would-be spies are not only in it for the money. And finally, yesterday IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir again said that the military must expand its ranks and draft more ultra-Orthodox soldiers, as data showed an increase in Haredi enlistment over the past year. We learn about whether the new Haredi brigade is meeting expectations. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Drone strikes US-owned gas tanker in Egyptian port, in possible expansion of Mideast war Hezbollah drone hits IDF bulldozer, violating Lebanon truce, IDF says, days ahead of talks IDF strikes Gaza City mosque, claims it was used for weapons storage ‘I know a lot’: Veteran of secret IDF unit charged with spying for Iran IDF chief tells Haredi commanders army must grow, as data shows uptick in enlistment Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For review:1. Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in the Middle East on Tuesday evening, in what U.S. Central Command called an attempted surprise attack.2. US Central Command announces that it has renewed airstrikes in Iran, in what it calls “a powerful response to yesterday's attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East.”3. A drone hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta, British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Wednesday, citing an initial assessment of the incident.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the incident.4. Iran is expected to receive within weeks a first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, as it rebuilds its defenses amid ongoing fighting with the United States, three sources told Reuters.5. Yemen's Houthis are considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, a week after declaring a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, regional sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.6. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not push any one particular strategy regarding Iran during his Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to a senior Israeli official, who characterized the sit-down as an “exchange of ideas.” 7. The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday struck a mosque in Gaza City, saying Wednesday that it was one of several Hamas weapons depots in the central and northern Gaza Strip that it destroyed this week.8. The Pentagon has formally launched the Europe force posture review Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last month, beginning a process to examine U.S. military troop presence, force posture and basing across Europe.

For review:1. The United States refrained from striking Iran overnight Friday-Saturday for the first day in two weeks.After the quiet night in Iran, there were also no reports on Saturday of attacks by Iran on its Gulf neighbors, which have been taking place daily as well.2. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday at the White House, the premier's office announced Friday, in what will be the leaders' first sit-down since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28.3. The Israel Defense Forces has in recent days announced a series of strikes in the Gaza Strip targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad members who it said were involved in the October 7 attack, or the subsequent holding of hostages.4. Khalil al-Hayya has been elected to be the new leader of Hamas, the terror group announced Monday.Al-Hayya, who previously served as the head of the group's political bureau in Gaza, defeated former Hamas chief and veteran leader Khaled Mashaal.5. US President Donald Trump's administration has maintained that Turkey does not currently meet the criteria necessary for purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States.To address US concerns, Turkey has been in talks with Washington about offloading the S-400 system.6. Ukraine and the U.S. are coordinating a new round of peace proposals to present to Moscow, hoping that changing war dynamics could create the opportunity to push Russia toward negotiations, Ukrainian and U.S. officials told the Kyiv Independent.7. Greece has approved the purchase of a multi-layer air defense system worth up to €3.5 billion ($4 billion) from Israel, its defense minister said on Thursday.Greece wants to build a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, called “Achilles Shield,” with Israeli radars and missiles from Rafael and IAI defense companies forming the core of the system.8. Australia successfully tested a “Frankenstein” medium-range air defense system last month, harnessing existing and new capabilities in a way nobody has tried before.This first-of-type integration, which successfully fired an SM-2 interceptor missile, offers an alternative to buying expensive air defense systems.

This week's Torah portion covers Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11. It is called Va'etchanan, which translates to “I pleaded,” because it begins with Moses pleading with God for permission to cross the Jordan River. This week's Torah portion also includes the most important proclamation in all of Judaism. As Moses contemplates the preservation of the Israelite faith and how best parents can impress the teachings upon their children, he pronounces: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. (Deut. 6:4)This verse is known in Hebrew as the Shema. It is considered the most critical piece of liturgy in all of Judaism, the great declaration of God's oneness and his kingship. Jewish morning prayers and evening prayers include the Shema. The Shema is also part of the Shabbat prayers. On Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, the service climaxes with the communal recitation of the Shema.According to tradition, if a Jewish person believes their death is imminent, they should recite the Shema so that it can be the last words on their lips. I have read stories of soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces in wartime reciting the Shema together in their tanks and from their lookouts.Support the showConsider donating (one-time or recurring) to www.TheJerusalemConnection.us so we can continue to bring valuable content via podcasts free to the public. Help us increase our audience reach and improve production quality. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible to our non-profit organization. Bible Fiber and The Red Alert Report are available via YouTube and all major podcast platforms. The Jerusalem Connection also engages in additional educational and advocacy programs. Check our "Projects" tab for all the endeavors we invite YOU to be part of.

For review:1. US Central Command (CENTCOM) says it has completed its 11th consecutive evening of air strikes against Iran to further degrade the country's “ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz”.2. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that his country was in a “full-scale war” with the United States and that Tehran should accept the repercussions of the conflict, even as mediators reportedly proposed a 10-day truce to deescalate the fighting.3. US President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that the US will be striking Iran's Pickaxe Mountain “probably pretty soon,” amid reports that Tehran has moved nuclear centrifuges, and possibly even enriched uranium, to the secretive underground enrichment site.4. Houthi Rebels on Monday announced they are imposing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia  in retaliation for a blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on the Sanaa Airport. 5. Israeli intelligence has reportedly assessed that Iran has moved thousands of nuclear centrifuges into a site in the Natanz area known as Pickaxe Mountain, burying them deep underground and making them harder to target in aerial strikes.6. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, where he declared that his country will permanently end hostilities with Israel and asked for backing in his efforts to disarm Hezbollah. 7. Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) said in a statement, in line with a US-brokered plan for “pilot zones” in the south.8. Two Hamas terrorists, including a commander, who invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and were responsible for the abduction of hostages, were killed in separate recent airstrikes, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet announced on Tuesday.9. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman warned Bulgaria on Tuesday against allowing the U.S. to use its territory for operations against Iran.The Bulgarian government has said it will seek parliamentary approval to station up to eight U.S. tanker aircraft at an air base in the Balkan country, which is a member of NATO and the European Union.

In this situational briefing, MirYam's In-House Analyst Yaakov Lappin outlines three security priorities for Israel:US-Iran Gulf Conflict: As the MoU lies in tatters and Iran and the U.S. trade strikes, what are the red lines that Israel must declare and strictly enforce.Lebanon Pilot Program: A US-brokered test calls for the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (L.A.F.) in southern Lebanon with a view to keeping the area clear of Hezbollah. But can L.A.F. be depended on to do that? IDF Personnel Crisis: Severe troop shortages have prompted societal and military demands for the government to enlist ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the Israel Defense Forces. This is coupled with a written alert from the IDF Chief of Staff warning of the dangers of any legislation that seeks to exempt the ultra-religious from military service.Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The US military said it launched another round of strikes on Iran early Sunday, the third in recent days, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a container ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and declared the waterway closed until further notice. Fabian speaks to what it may take for the IDF to rejoin the fight. US Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna said he was detained by Israeli settlers armed with US-made rifles during a West Bank visit late last week. Also making headlines, four Israeli settlers were detained for allegedly attacking a CNN media crew near the West Bank town of Sinjil on Saturday. After allegations of IDF inaction, Fabian reviews the military's role in defusing similar situations. The Israel Defense Forces on Friday announced that three Hamas commanders were killed in airstrikes in Gaza, including one who raided the IDF’s Re’im base in southern Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught that sparked the subsequent war in the Strip. This comes amid an uptick in similar announcements of targeted killings of terrorists who participated in the massacre or held hostages in Gaza. Fabian tells us about the apparent trend. Yesterday, a US military delegation met with Lebanon’s army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel’s withdrawal from a “pilot zone” in southern Lebanon. We hear where and how it may take place. And finally, to end the program, we learn about Pvt. Yaakov Zarihan, killed in action on April 20, 1948, during Israel’s War of Independence. He had been considered missing for 78 years, and last week it was announced that he was identified as buried in a mass grave in a kibbutz near Jerusalem. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US strikes Iran again, after IRGC attacks ship in Hormuz and declares strait closed US Democrat Ro Khanna says he was detained by armed settlers during West Bank visit 4 settlers detained for alleged attack on CNN crew in West Bank town of Sinjil Off-duty IDF soldier, two Israeli women extracted from West Bank’s Jericho IDF kills three Hamas commanders, including Oct. 7 invader, in Gaza airstrikes US military delegation visits Beirut to discuss IDF ‘pilot zone’ withdrawal IDF troops to withdraw from Lebanon pilot zones in coming days, says US official IDF says soldier missing since 1948 war determined to be buried near Jerusalem Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ralph speaks to historian Omer Bartov about his new book “Israel: What Went Wrong?” with special guest, international law expert Bruce FeinBruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.Many of the things that you describe in Israel apply in spades in the United States. We also have an administration that says we're being invaded militarily by Venezuela gangs, so we have to go kidnap their president and annex Venezuela. We've stated that Iran is an existential threat to the United States because at some future time, it's conceivable they may get one nuclear weapon. We have 5,000, Israel probably has 300 or 400. Or make the argument that we are being invaded by defenseless immigrants across the southern border. And it does seem to me that all countries—I don't think it's unique anyway to the United States or Israel, but it's generally true those in power are there to manufacture fear, to inflate fleas into elephants and say “My gosh, tomorrow the sky is falling down. We need to have national emergencies, rule by decree.” Everything is “an imminent danger”, the Communist domino theory. It's a very challenging issue. I say what you've described in Israel is not unique to Israel. We confront it every day right in the United States. And it works.Bruce FeinOmer Bartov is the Dean's Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University. A historian, Professor Bartov was born on a kibbutz, grew up in Tel Aviv, and served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War. He went on to become a leading scholar of the German army and the Holocaust, before turning his attention to his native country. His early research concerned the Nazi indoctrination of the Wehrmacht and the crimes it committed in World War II. He then turned to the links between total war and genocide and interethnic relations in the borderlands of Eastern Europe. His current interest is reflected in his recent books, Genocide, the Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis, Israel: What Went Wrong?, and the forthcoming The Broken Promise: A Personal Political History of Israel and Palestine. The whole idea of creating a Jewish state (and it says so in the Proclamation of the State from May 1948) is that it would be a state for Jews—that it would be both Jewish and democratic. And that has proven to be not possible. A Jewish state can be both Jewish and democratic only if the overwhelming majority (if not all) of its citizens are Jews.Omer Bartov[Zionist zealots] believe that history is on their side—so in that sense, they are similar to Communists they're similar to Fascists they're similar to Nazis in that they believe that they can see the way forward, they know the logic of history, and the logic of history as they see it is on their side.Omer BartovIn Israel, since the 1980s (really since after the War of 1973, with the rise of the right wing in Israel in particular) the Holocaust has come to serve a particular purpose. Instead of being commemorated as an event that happened in the past that we should remember and commemorate and research, it's become a kind of image of an imminent danger to Israel. And the farther Israel has moved from the actual event of the Holocaust, and the more the Israeli army has become the military hegemon in its region, the more this alleged threat of an “Auschwitz around the corner” has been used by Israeli governments. Why has it been used? Because Israel actually needs to explain to itself and to its citizens: Why is it bossing it over millions of Palestinians? Half of the population under Israeli control are Palestinians. Two million are citizens, but they don't have equal rights, and the others have no rights at all (they're simply under arbitrary military rule). So how do you explain that? You explain that by telling your population and the rest of the world that those Palestinians—who have no power, who can never pose a threat to you—are an existential threat. And in Israel, that has worked quite well.Omer BartovBecause of the focus on Hebrew—to create Hebrew as a mother tongue for children whose mothers didn't speak Hebrew—because of that, there was a great antagonism towards speaking any other language. And the notion of having bilingual schools (that is, of having schools in Palestine where people would learn both Hebrew and Arabic, the language of the place) is not entertained by the vast majority of educators. Now, if you think about what would have been the result of having bilingual schools already in the 1920s and 30s, that children could speak each other's language and recognize each other's culture—that could have had a huge effect on how Zionism developed and how the state would have developed. But in today's Israel, the only bilingual population are the Palestinians. Palestinian citizens of Israel speak Arabic and Hebrew. Most Israelis don't speak Arabic. And most Israelis who trace themselves (quite large numbers) not to Europe, but to North Africa and the Middle East, where their parents and grandparents spoke Arabic (this was their language) have forgotten that language and were ashamed of their parents speaking it because it associated them with the Arabs. So the loss in this kind of creation of a nation around one language was the ability to imagine yourself as sharing the space with another group.Omer Bartov * Our top story concerns a progressive insurgent running in a must-win Senate race – and not the one you're thinking of. Late last week, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed won the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The New York Times notes that this is AOC's first Senate endorsement of this cycle, coming just about a month ahead of the August 4th Michigan primary. El-Sayed is quoted saying that he is “honored for what her support says about what this campaign is building and what we're fighting for,” adding that he thinks that “too many establishment Democrats are…afraid that I will win.” He pointedly attacked Senator Chuck Schumer, charging that the Minority Leader “doesn't want to see me on the inside of the U.S. Senate,” because El-Sayed would “call out the kind of politics where we take money from corporations and AIPAC to run milquetoast campaigns and don't say anything about the problems that everyday people are facing.” El-Sayed has announced that he will campaign with AOC and Senator Bernie Sanders in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids on July 18th and 19th, per MLive.* Another earthquake occurred in the Michigan Senate race on July 5th, when State Senator Mallory McMorrow announced that she would be withdrawing from the race – turning what was a competitive three-way race into a head-to-head between El-Sayed and the Democratic establishment pick, Congresswoman Haley Stevens. The Detroit Free Press notes that this announcement “comes after absentee ballots have already been mailed out to some voters and too late to remove her name from the primary ballot,” though voters are able to rescind their absentee votes and submit new ones up through Friday, July 24th. In a video statement, McMorrow maintained that “People are crying out for change and we need to listen.” McMorrow once led her opponents in this race but saw her support collapse and was trailing in a distant third place in recent polls. Rumor also had it that outgoing Senator Gary Peters was privately calling for her to exit the race so centrists could consolidate around Stevens. While many of her supporters are expected to go to Stevens, El-Sayed is energetically courting McMorrow's voters as well. The Detroit News reports McMorrow herself has announced that she will remain neutral in the remaining days of the primary, leaving her voters to vote their own consciences.* In more Michigan news, DSA-backed congressional candidate Donavan McKinney is running strong in his primary campaign against incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar, whom McKinney has labeled “​​Detroit's own Elon Musk,” according to the New York Post. If McKinney pulls it off, he will join the growing group of DSA members in the House, along with Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and AOC from New York, Chris Rabb and Melat Kiros from Pennsylvania and Colorado respectively, and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan. Another candidate endorsed by his local DSA chapter, Kyle Blomquist, is running for Congress in Michigan but even if he wins his primary he is not expected to flip the deep red 1st congressional district.* In Missouri, Cori Bush has also won the support of DSA for her comeback congressional run against Wesley Bell, who defeated her in the 2024 primary, Andrew Solender reports. Bush had already won the support of her local DSA chapter, along with many other progressive organizations, and has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, and former Congressman Jamaal Bowman. This week though, she won the support of the national DSA. In a statement, Bush wrote “I am honored to be once again endorsed by the Democratic [Socialists] of America as I campaign to return to Congress and keep building our movement to fight for economic justice, Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and a world where everyday people have a real voice in our workplace's neighborhoods and society.” Bush also praised DSA for its “decades of organizing…[mobilizing] thousands of people across the country to demand an economy that works for all of us…[and] take on war profiteers, the for-profit healthcare industry, and the billionaire funded lobbies that subvert our democracy.” There has been little polling of this race, but what there has been appears to show the race in a statistical dead heat. One sign that Bush is being taken seriously is the new $865,000 ad buy taken out by the United Democracy Project, an AIPAC cutout.* Ironically, it would seem that American Jews have a more favorable view of the progressive left than Israel. According to the Forward, a new AP poll found that “44% of American Jews hold a favorable opinion of Zohran Mamdani, compared with 39% who view him unfavorably.” This is in contrast to the 32% of respondents who said they have a favorable opinion of Netanyahu and 59% who said they have a negative view of the Israeli PM. Perhaps more surprisingly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a “staunch supporter of Israel,” garnered only a 41% favorability rating, though far more respondents said they don't know enough about him to have an opinion than said they have a negative view.* Turning back to the Senate, the other major story this week of course is the fall of Graham Platner. Accusations of sexual assault, detailed in a POLITICO article, resulted in a deluge of opprobrium that cascaded upwards culminating in Platner's earliest and highest profile supporter, Senator Bernie Sanders, calling on him to drop out of the Senate race in Maine. In a video message released Wednesday, Platner stated that he would be suspending his campaign effective immediately, later telling staff that he plans to wait until Monday, the final possible day, to formally withdraw from the race, Axios reports. In the same video, Platner categorically denied the accusations calling them “all false,” and maintaining that the “things that have been claimed did not happen.” He implied that the scandal was orchestrated by “those in power“ who would “rather see Susan Collins win than have me be the next Senator from Maine.”* Platner's impending, late-stage withdrawal from the race has set off a chaotic blitz primary to replace him as the Democratic nominee. Numerous candidates have announced they are running including former Maine Senate president Troy Jackson, former Director of Maine's Center for Disease, Control and Prevention Nirav Shah, co-founder of Maine beer company Dan Kleban, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and state lawmaker Valli Geiger, along with Jordan Wood and Paige Loud, both of whom ran in the Maine second congressional district Democratic primary. The actual process for selecting a nominee has been the subject of debate – with many progressives arguing for caucuses – but POLITICO reports that by July 27th, “600 delegates must be selected,” including 500 from the state's 16 county parties, and these delegates will decide on a candidate to replace Platner via “an unprecedented nominating convention,” wherein all delegates come in unpledged to any candidate setting the stage for “what could be a raucous and unpredictable free-for-all.” It remains to be seen how this will all shake out, but it is notable that almost all of these candidates poll very strongly against Senator Susan Collins, with many polling higher than Platner ever did, while the Democratic Party's handpicked primary candidate, sitting Governor Janet Mills, still polls lower than Platner even since the scandal broke.* For our final Senate story, we turn to the senior Senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell. McConnell was recently found unconscious in his Washington, DC home and has been hospitalized since, and while Republican Senators and media figures like Scott Jennings claim to have spoken with him directly, his being sequestered away from the public has fueled rampant speculation about the severity of his condition and why it is being kept so secretive. Forbes reports that some figures on the right, including Steve Bannon, are “suggesting the Republican establishment is shielding the state of McConnell's health from the public to allow him to remain in office long enough to avoid [Kentucky Congressman Thomas] Massie running for his seat.” Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene told TMZ, “Thomas Massie would make a great senator.” The Hill reports that Andy Beshear, the Democratic Governor of Kentucky, sent a letter to McConnell's Senate office strongly requesting an update on the Senator's health, noting that “Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell,” and that “Allowing speculation to continue in the media is not fair to the Senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source.”* In more positive news, AP reports former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who helped an immigrant escape ICE by ushering him through her jury room door was spared prison time in her sentencing this week. After the incident in her court room, Dugan was convicted of felony obstruction in what was widely seen as a political trial designed to exact retribution on behalf of the Trump administration. Dugan resigned her circuit judgeship under this assault; in her resignation letter, she warned that this prosecution threatened “the independence of our judiciary.” Dugan was fined $5,000.* Finally, in spiritual news, a story in the National Catholic Reporter recounts how Pope Leo XIV excommunicated thousands of clergy and followers of the far right, schismatic group, the Society of St. Pius X. While bishops and priests are judged prima facie schismatic for their consecration in the Society, lay followers of the sect will be judged schismatic if they consciously choose “adherence to the society over obedience to the pope,” and “exclusive participation in Lefebvrian ‘ecclesial' acts, without taking part in the acts of the Catholic Church,” a reference to the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The proximate cause of this excommunication was the Society creating four new bishops in open defiance of Pope Leo, essentially daring the Church to act. This piece notes that the Society “has long been a thorn in the side of Rome,” and notes that the new papal decree rolls back privileges granted to the sect under Pope Francis, including administering the sacrament of penance and solemnizing marriages.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Join us for a critical update with Major David Tal of the Israel Defense Forces as he breaks down what is happening in the war with Iran right now. You do not want to miss this.

The Israeli election must be held by October 27, latest, and Dr. Einat Wilf, former MK and prominent public presence (not sure what to call her - politician? Advocate? Public intellectual? All of the above?) is emerging as a strong voice in the mix of candidates vying for Israeli votes. Her newly constituted party - Oz - advocates a return to the fundamental principles of political Zionism, or, as she puts it - “from exilic mindset to sovereign conduct.” Einat was raised in a very progressive, left-leaning environment. I would not suggest for a moment that she has veered rightward. I happen to find the “right-left” paradigm obsolete these days but especially so when it comes to Israel. Those often tagged as being “right” are anything but. They have morphed into extremists of different types. What we have in Israel today is a large left/centrist/center right majority that is looking for a way to ensure that the extremist coalition that we have lived with for four years is not re-elected. Einat Wilf and the Oz party are solidly in that majority mix. We talk about her party's fierce dedication to the founding principles of the state of Israel; a pluralistic, liberal democracy. And she makes no apologies for standing firm.As I mention in the podcast introduction, I first met Einat Wilf when I began my tenure as Canadian Ambassador to Israel in winter, 2014. She has continued to embody the best of Israel. Proud. Strong. Knowledgeable and courageous. We need people with Einat's integrity and intelligence in the mix in the Knesset…….and, frankly, we need women in positions of leadership in Israel. In the last decade we have slipped terribly in that regard. Not only is the political sphere male-dominated, but they tend to be repressively so - towards women. That's my view. Do not attribute it to Einat - although I expect she would agree.We begin this podcast with the horrifying attacks recently on US Congressional candidate Scott Wiener. Why? Because the harassment of him is exactly what Oz is all about. Reclaiming our dignity and nationhood.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes* Link to five minute animation video recently released by Einat Wilf explaining the history and political concept of Zionism.* Website for Einat Wilf's Oz Party - in English (also Hebrew, if you prefer - just toggle in the menu at the top of the page. https://www.ozparty.co.il/enDr. Einat Wilf is Chair of Oz Party and a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. She was the Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University. Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists”, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

For review:1. Talks between Cuba and the U.S. are at a standstill, despite the island recently approving a series of free-market reforms, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced Tuesday.2. Attackers shot dead two members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at their home in the western city of Paveh, near the border with Iraq's Kurdistan region, state media reported Tuesday.It was not immediately clear who was behind the shooting. 3. Top US envoys Steve Witkoff and ‌Jared Kushner were in Doha on Tuesday for meetings with Qatari mediators to discuss negotiations with Iran, but Qatar and Iran said there would be no high-level meeting between Washington and Tehran on Tuesday or in the coming days.4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told IDF troops in the southern Lebanon security zone on Tuesday that the military would remain in the area for the foreseeable future, crediting the soldiers' work for the recent agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the US that demands Hezbollah's disarmament to enable an Israeli withdrawal.5. The Israel Defense Forces' Military Intelligence Directorate and Southern Command submitted a warning last week to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir that Hamas's military wing is preparing for renewed war with Israel, the Kan public broadcaster reported Sunday.6. Russian President Putin has admitted that there was no deal with President Trump to end the war in Ukraine, after Kremlin officials insisted such an agreement was made between the two leaders last August in Alaska.7. China called on Ukraine and Russia to resume peace talks “as soon as possible” and reiterated its support for an immediate ceasefire during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, June 30.8. Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that British defense spending will reach close to £80 billion ($105 billion) annually by 2029.9. Based in Townsville in northern Queensland, the Australian Army's 3rd Brigade is undergoing a massive transformation, as the heavy armored formation absorbs whole new fleets of vehicles.10. Russia and China conducted joint bomber patrol flights on Saturday for the first time this year, prompting Japan and South Korea to scramble fighter aircraft.

For review:1. US & Iran have agreed to halt attacks on each other and to meet again on Tuesday in Doha to discuss the issues of the Strait of Hormuz.2. The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, signed last week, explicitly preserves the Israel Defense Force's full freedom to act against threats in the southern Lebanon security zone, an official familiar with its contents told The Times of Israel on Sunday.3. Hezbollah's leader on Saturday pilloried the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in Washington as “null and void” and a surrender of Lebanon's sovereignty, with the terror group's top ally in Beirut's parliament going as far as calling it an “incitement to civil war.”4. A top commander in Hamas's naval police and a Hamas terrorist who invaded Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught were among four terrorists killed in recent strikes in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday.5. Turkey Offers to Host Russia - Ukraine Peace Talks.6. The German Navy is moving two ships to the Red Sea in preparation for a possible mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz, the country's defense minister confirmed on Thursday.7. During a meeting with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo, Canada's defense minister has said that Ottawa is “interested in learning more about” the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) next-generation fighter.The GCAP is a multinational effort between Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom that envisions a sixth-generation fighter jet as well as collaborative combat drones and high-tech data sharing.8. Japan's government has confirmed it will rename its air force to reflect a broadened mission set to include outer space.The upper house of Japan's parliament approved a bill today to rename the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to the Japan Aerospace Self-Defense Force.9. North Korea commissioned its largest warship to date, the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon (51), in a ceremony Tuesday in the port city Nampho.Choe Hyon was domestically made, and was armed with indigenous weapons systems. 

For review:1. US Central Command (CENTCOM) says its forces conducted strikes against Iran earlier this evening in response to an attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.2. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it attacked US sites in the Gulf region in retaliation to American strikes in Iran, according to state television.3. The United States is considering moving Middle East military installations westward, including to Israel, to reduce their exposure to Iran's missiles and drones.4. Israel, Lebanon and the US reached an agreement Friday that will see the Israel Defense Forces begin to withdraw from small parts of southern Lebanon.5. Officers from the Moroccan military, whose deployment was announced in February, have arrived in Israel to join a nascent international force for Gaza, US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace said Tuesday.An official from the board separately told AFP on condition of anonymity that the contingent arrived on June 18 at the headquarters of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in southern Israel.6. The Kremlin said Wednesday that contacts between Moscow and Washington on the Ukraine war will resume when the American envoys become available amid their occupation with other issues.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. News editor Ben Sales joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. A round of US-Iran negotiations on implementing the agreement to end the war was set to kick off in Switzerland today. US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly added a special session on Lebanon to their packed agenda. The talks come after an Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed and 13 were wounded in southern Lebanon in an attack by the Hezbollah terror group early Saturday morning, and a four-man IDF tank crew was killed early Friday. The IDF said Saturday it “halted its fire” outside its declared “security zone” in southern Lebanon, but would continue operations within it. Sales discusses how Vance's personal opinion of Israel -- including harsh statements on Israel's supposed ingratitude to the Trump administration and an accusation that Israel tries to kill its way out of every problem -- could color the negotiations. In the second half of the program, we ask, is it the end of a golden age of Jewish American travel to Israel? Is it because the sponsoring institutions have shifted away from thinking that an American Jew who has traveled to Israel is more likely to stay Jewishly involved, marry Jewish and support the Jewish state? And why, despite the offer of a free trip, are many fewer young adults coming? Sales weighs in. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US-Iran set for new talks; Trump threatens US tolls in Hormuz if deal not reached in 60 days Vance slams Israeli ‘freakout’ over Iran deal, says Trump only world leader who still likes Israel IDF soldier killed, 13 injured in overnight Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon Trump’s unfiltered commentary on Lebanon is leaving Israel with an impossible choice Canceled flights, high prices: Is the golden age of American Jewish travel to Israel ending? Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tara Show (Hour 1, Segment 2) outlines a severe escalation where Hezbollah initiated a barrage of over 50 missiles and rockets into Israel, triggering immediate ground engagements and a massive Israeli counteroffensive. Following the initial rocket fire, Hezbollah deployed explosive drones and anti-tank missiles that directly hit an Israeli Merkava tank near the southern Lebanese border. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched an immediate wave of airstrikes targeting over 80 Hezbollah military command centers and weapons hubs across southern Lebanon, killing dozens of operatives. The segment emphasizes that these heavy cross-border clashes constitute direct violations of recent ceasefire agreements and severely threaten ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.

Cybersecurity has no shortage of urgency, but it does have a shortage of people who are ready for the work as it actually happens. ISC2, a global cybersecurity professional association, estimates in its 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study that 5.5 million professionals are working in cyber worldwide, yet the field still needs 4.8 million more to meet demand. That gap is not just a hiring problem; it is a training and mindset problem, especially when organizations need local talent that can think critically, adapt quickly, and respond to sophisticated threats in real time.If the cyber workforce gap cannot be solved by resumes alone, how should the industry rethink who gets trained, how they are selected, and what it really takes to prepare them for the job?In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski speaks with Dean Gefen, Chief Executive Officer of nuKudo, about a new approach to cybersecurity talent development. The conversation explores why traditional hiring pipelines may be missing capable candidates, how nuKudo recruits from nontraditional talent pools, and why critical thinking, adaptability, and hands-on operational training may matter more than conventional credentials in today's cyber environment.Top insights from the talk…Gefen explains nuKudo's paid training model, which allows selected candidates to earn a salary while learning cybersecurity skills, reducing the financial barrier that often keeps talented people out of the field.The episode examines why cybersecurity work requires a different mindset from traditional IT roles, with Gefen emphasizing critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to respond to complex, changing threats.Stefanski and Gefen discuss the growing risks facing companies, from state-level attacks to weak identity management, insufficient testing environments, and the need for organizations to better understand their attack surfaces.Dean Gefen is a cybersecurity executive with more than 13 years of operational experience across cyber training, consulting, research, and organizational leadership. He currently serves as CEO of nuKudo and Group CEO of DART, and has advised governments across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East on building cyber operational units and training programs. His background includes senior roles with Red Alpha Cybersecurity, Israel's National Cyber Security Authority, AppInsight, and the Israel Defense Forces' Intelligence Corps, where he developed deep expertise in operational cyber capabilities and workforce development.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that the framework for a peace deal with Iran that would end the months-long conflict was scheduled to be signed on Sunday and that the key Strait of Hormuz waterway would then be immediately “open to all.” Iran has denied the signing will take place so soon. Berman breaks down what could be part of any potential deal and assesses the feasibility of it being signed soon. As fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in south Lebanon continues, the government has instructed the Israel Defense Forces to avoid actions that could endanger the emerging deal between the US and Iran, Kan news reported Friday. Berman explores how else Israel is being restrained in light of the ongoing negotiations with Iran -- and how any deal may cement those fetters. Some international media is discussing the theory that Israel will soon turn its gaze to Syria -- where it holds a buffer zone -- and fight a proxy war there with Turkey -- which also holds territory. Berman weighs in. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump says US-Iran deal to be signed Sunday, contradicting Tehran Government reported to restrain IDF action in Lebanon to avoid derailing US-Iran talks Iran MOU would cap self-defeating ceasefire for Trump, marks huge problem for Israel Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee filmed and edited this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to stand with Israel when the world seems to be turning against her? In this episode, Aaron Evans shares how October 7th became a turning point that moved him from passive support to active involvement with Friends of the IDF.  As antisemitism surged around the world, Aaron felt compelled to use his voice and resources to support Israel and its defenders. The conversation explores biblical foundations for supporting Israel, the challenges facing younger generations, and the growing influence of misinformation on social media. Most importantly, it shines a light on the men and women of the IDF - the people carrying the weight of defending Israel while balancing family, work, and the emotional toll of war. Key Takeaways October 7th awakened many Christians to the reality of antisemitism Biblical literacy is essential for understanding Israel's significance Young people are increasingly shaped by social media rather than Scripture The IDF is made up of ordinary people protecting their families and nation PTSD and emotional trauma are major challenges facing soldiers today Friends of the IDF provides practical and emotional support where it's needed most Supporting Israel requires more than agreement - it requires action Chapter Markers  00:00 – Introduction and Aaron's background 03:00 – Growing up with a biblical understanding of Israel 06:00 – October 7th and the decision to get involved 10:00 – Antisemitism and the influence of social media 13:00 – Why truth matters in a culture of misinformation 16:00 – Discovering Friends of the IDF 20:00 – Visiting Israel and meeting soldiers firsthand 23:00 – Why Christians should stand with Israel 26:00 – PTSD, trauma, and the hidden cost of war 29:00 – How Friends of the IDF supports soldiers and families 31:00 – Final challenge and invitation to get involved Visit https://thejewishroad.com for more conversations exploring Israel, faith, and the Jewish roots of Christianity. To learn more about Friends of the IDF and support Israel's soldiers and their families, visit: https://fidf.org You can donate, find a chapter near you, participate in educational events, or join an upcoming mission to Israel. Your support helps provide counseling, family assistance, educational opportunities, and critical resources for the men and women serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

The main story in parashat Sh'lach [Numbers 13:1-15:41] is the tragedy of the spies. In some ways, this sin, the failure of the Israelites to recognize that their destiny is to conquer the land no matter what the odds, is their greatest sin. For the rabbis, there seems to be little question, for they associate the sin of the spies with Tisha B'Av, the worst day on the Jewish calendar, whereas the sin of the Golden Calf is associated with the 17th of Tammuz, a prelude to Tisha B'Av. The verb la-tur, “to seek out, spy out, explore”, which is repeated many times througout the narrative of the spies, is picked up in the final section of the parashah, which we know as the third paragraph of the Sh'ma. There, the tzitzit, the ritual fringes, are intended to prevent Israelites from being led astray by their hearts and eyes. In a sense, this paragraph comes to remind us that the very act of la-tur, seeking out, is fraught with danger. Whether the initial command comes from God or Mose, or even the people themselvies is, perhaps immaterial. It is the command to la-tur, to scout out, without the requisite controls suggested by the tzitzit, which dooms the spies. We are often led astray. God provides the means to withstand the temptation. Now that war seems to have resumed, our thoughts and prayers are with those defending the United States as part of the United States Armed Forces and those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. May peace soon descend on the region and all other troubled areas on earth. Shabbat Shalom.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says its air force has targeted two Israeli air bases in retaliation for Israel's attacks that hit a number of radar sites. The Israel Defense Forces said the air force struck military targets in western and central Iran.

In this situational briefing, I sit down with John Spencer, Senior Analyst at The MirYam Institute. We analyze recent US naval engagements in the Strait of Hormuz amid the Operation Epic Fury ceasefire, the shifting military dynamics involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the broader geopolitical pressures surrounding Iran's nuclear program.  Finally, we debate Gaza's strategic future, contrasting a proposed population relocation to the Sinai Peninsula with the absolute isolation and demilitarization of Hamas.Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondent Tal Schneider joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The US and Iran are close to signing a deal involving a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, Iran would be able to freely sell oil, and negotiations would be held on curbing Iran’s nuclear program — including it giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the Axios news site reported on Sunday, citing a US official. Schneider gives insight into Israel's reaction to the potential deal and delves into what could happen on the Lebanon front: Is Hezbollah part of the package? A soldier was killed Friday by a drone near the Lebanese border, the Israel Defense Forces announced Saturday. The slain soldier was named as Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, 23, a technology and maintenance soldier in the 401st Brigade, from Atlit in northern Israel. Schneider underlines that this occurred on Israeli soil, where Hezbollah drone attacks are still an everyday occurrence for residents of the north. On Friday night, Yashar! party head Gadi Eisenkot gave his first major interview in recent memory to the Uvda TV news magazine. We hear what was said -- and unsaid. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, young women, from the age of 18, have been obligated to enlist in the IDF. We learn about how the ranks of female fighters have swelled in the past decade -- and the intense backlash from the religious community. Schneider brings us an update from this morning, which illustrates this delicate balance. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US-Iran deal said to open strait for 60 days, Iran to discuss giving up enriched uranium Trump says deal with Iran ‘largely negotiated, will be announced shortly,’ Hormuz will be opened Liberman slams emerging Iran deal, accuses Netanyahu of failing to win war ‘on any front’ Soldier killed in northern Israel by Hezbollah drone from Lebanon Female troops are under assault, and not just in Bnei Brak Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. We roll out with three Jangles -- news with a Jewish angle. Borschel-Dan gives her favorite actress, 96-year-old June Squib, a shoutout for her recent Tony nomination for "Marjorie Prime." Hoffman discusses his recent discovery of a famous Jewish porn star and also the new reboot of "Lord of the Flies" which hints that one of the boys is Jewish. We then turn to "Cast a Giant Shadow," the 1966 biopic of Colonel Mickey Marcus. David Daniel "Mickey" Marcus was a complicated character who was foundational to the organization of what became the Israel Defense Force. The United States Army colonel, who was later dubbed Israel's first general, was also instrumental at the Nuremberg Trials. Kirk Douglas plays Marcus and the rest of the all-star cast includes Senta Berger, Yul Brynner, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and Angie Dickinson. The movie maven and our host disagreed about the film, so stick around to see if "Cast a Giant Shadow" gets an "oy," "meh" or "not bad" in this week's The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in History: The day Samuel the Prophet died (according to tradition, see 1 Samuel 25:1). Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day): In 1967 during the Six Day War, Israel's paratroopers recaptured the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. ”This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour…our hand in peace” (Defense Minister Moshe Dayan).This week's portion is called Bamidbar (In the desert) TORAH PORTION: Numbers 3:40–51GOSPEL PORTION: Luke 23:44–56What verse spoke to you most today and why?Did you learn something about God?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠⁠The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday that its troops recently crossed the Litani River for a weeklong raid against Hezbollah, as the terror group’s leader rejected any attempt by Israeli and Lebanese officials to achieve its disarmament during upcoming peace talks in Washington. We learn what is happening on the ground even as drones continue to penetrate northern Israel. On Friday, Israeli settlers forced Palestinians to exhume the body of a relative from a freshly dug grave and move it to another location, after claiming the deceased was buried too close to an Israeli settlement. We dissect allegations that IDF troops stood by during this event, as well as during other incidents, including violent acts against Palestinians. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF says it carried out weeklong raid on Hezbollah sites beyond Lebanon’s Litani River IDF reservist killed in Hezbollah explosive drone attack in northern Israel Hezbollah airs drone footage showing strike on Iron Dome battery in northern Israel Settlers force Palestinians to exhume body of relative buried near West Bank settlement Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes. I am generating a lot of material about antisemitism in Canada - and not just because I am Canadian. You will probably have noticed that some popular American podcasters and media have been focusing on Canada recently. Canadian society and the rot pervading it is turning heads in the United States, UK and continental Europe. Not only because the situation is so bad. But perhaps moreso because political and law enforcement leadership in Canada seem unperturbed. They barely notice. In fact, they seem to react only when American media takes note. That - by the way - is a classic Canadian thing. We like to keep things “in the family.” But when American or UK media come out and criticize - well - that is noticed. If a Canadian dares to be critical of the government in foreign media - it is often cast as being disloyal. As we say in Hebrew - very small-minded.In March, shortly after three synagogues were shot up in Toronto in one week, the world took note. Within days of the shootings, I interviewed Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli. He said - and it is in this podcast - that Canada is at the top of a list that no one should want to be on: he regards Canada as being perhaps the most dangerous place in the world to be Jewish these days. His strong concerns are shared by Sharren Haskel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both Chikli and Haskel have been paying attention to the grim reality on the ground for Canadian Jews - especially since October 7. They do not hold back. And they also bring to the discussion a global perspective. Their job is to be on top of the status of Jewish communities all over the world - and they are watching like hawks. This is about Canada, yes, but it is about so much more.Their comments and observations are from March and I have provided updated context in the podcast narrative. Almost immediately after the drama in Toronto things got pretty crazy in the UK, especially London. And the war in Iran exploded. Sometimes, events overtake the material I have prepared……and I had to hold these interviews until those crises subsided, temporarily. So - here we are. And in the meantime……the mess, if I can call it that, remains a mess.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivAmichai Chikli is an Israeli politician who serves as the Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. In the past he worked as an educator and social entrepreneur.Chikli was born in 1981 in Jerusalem. He served as an officer in the Golani brigade, an elite IDF unit.Following his military service, Chikli earned a bachelor's degree in security and Middle Eastern studies from Haifa University and a master's degree in security studies and diplomacy from Tel Aviv University. Minister Chikli is married and has three children.Sharren Haskel is 41 years old, married and the mother of three young children. At 18, she served in the Israel Defense Force, as a combat soldier in the Border Guards during the Second Intifada. Following her military service, Deputy Minister Haskel pursued a career in veterinary medicine. Haskel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from The Open University in Israel, where she also was the Israeli national debating champion. She entered the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in 2015.In November 2024, she was sworn in as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

US media and Pakistan negotiators suggest Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing a deal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. Donald Trump has warned the bombing would be more intense than before if Iran doesn't agree to peace deal. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces continue to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.Also: The World Health Organization has confirmed an eighth case of Hantavirus on board a cruise ship at the centre of a deadly outbreak of the disease. Three passengers have died aboard the ship that is currently stuck at sea near the island of Cape Verde in the Atlantic. Spain insists the MV Hondius will dock in the Canary Islands despite objections from the local authorities. Four women linked to the IS miliant group are returning to Australia from Syria, along with their children and could face the prospect of arrest. Scientists are calling for Pluto to be reclassified as a planet, twenty years after it was demoted to dwarf planet status.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers in the most recent Hesder draft, the class of Nisan 5786. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Michael Olshin, educational director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, about the purpose of the gap year in Israel.In this episode we discuss: —What should our hopes and expectations be for the gap year in Israel?—How can we improve students' Hebrew proficiency?—Is it time to reimagine what the gap year in Israel could be, with a focus on contributing to the State of Israel in addition to Torah learning?Tune in to hear a conversation about our responsibility to create a Yiddishkeit that touches the lives of the wider world.Interview begins at 14:40.Rabbi Michael Olshin is the Educational Director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, bringing over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience from roles at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim, Yeshivat Shaalvim, Bet Midrash L'Torah, and youth programs including NCSY, NCSY Kollel, and Camp Mesorah. He also serves as an educator and guide with Jroots, leading educational journeys across Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Ukraine. He lives in Bet Shemesh with his family, and his children have served in elite commando units of the Israel Defense Forces.References:If You're Reading These Words by Shlomo Kavas and Racheli Palant-RozenA Dreamer and A Fighter: Reflections and Journal Entries by Capt Amitai Zvi GranotFor more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgIG: @18fortyX: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join hereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the Out of Zion podcast, Dr. Susan Michael sits down with Doron Keidar, a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – Special Forces mobility unit, to discuss the reality of the war on the ground versus the narrative in the media. Keidar, an Israeli born to American Christian parents, shares his unique perspective on the “spirit of the IDF,” the strict moral codes of “gun purity,” and the sophisticated psychological warfare known as “Dawah.” From debunking viral accusations to discussing his new film I Am Israel, Keidar offers a rare look at the ethical and physical challenges faced by those defending Israel.

Israel and Lebanon are holding a second round of rare talks in Washington, D.C., to discuss potentially extending the 10-day ceasefire with Iran-backed Hezbollah. The U.S. blockade continues in the Strait of Hormuz with CENTCOM saying it has directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port. And a viral image has ignited controversy after it appears to show an Israel Defense Forces soldier in southern Lebanon vandalizing a statue of Jesus. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with E.J. Kimball, the Director of Policy for the US-Israel Education Association, who says only Israel has the power to remove Hezbollah, and get his thoughts on the condemnation of the IDF soldier's photo. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Omer Bartov is an Israeli professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University. He grew up in a Zionist home and served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, but he has long been concerned about Israel's use of military power. In a new book called “Israel: What Went Wrong?,” Bartov argues that Zionism has morphed into an ideology of extremism that led to genocide in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7th. “There is growing criticism of American support for these kinds of Israeli policies, both on the American left and on the American right,” Bartov tells David Remnick. Bartov believes that Israel requires “shock therapy” because “it has not still come to identify the limits of its own power, because those limits are in Washington, DC and it's there that those limits have to be set.” “For Israel, that would be good, because I think Israel needs to be liberated from that kind of dependence on American power. I think, for American society and for American Jewry, that's a very bad thing because there is a rise of . . . antisemitism from the Tucker Carlsons of the world, who are a rising force right now.”Further reading:  “Israel: What Went Wrong?,” by Omer Bartov “A Holocaust Scholar Meets with Israeli Reservists,” by Isaac Chotiner “How to Define Genocide,” by Isaac Chotiner The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine's writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. On Sunday, for the first time since hostilities with Hezbollah escalated last month during the Iran war — when the terror group resumed rocket and drone attacks on Israel — Israeli reporters were allowed by the Israel Defense Forces to enter southern Lebanon, in an escorted visit to the newly established security zone. Fabian was there and reports back on the experience of entering Lebanon and the new road infrastructure that has been laid there. We discuss how the Israeli military is, in essence, reestablishing a security zone that it left some 26 years ago. Fabian explains why commanders say that this time around, it will not carry with it the same dangers that troops faced during the 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon in 1982-2000. In the second half of the program, we turn to a briefing Fabian attended on Friday. The IDF said that it remains on high alert and ready to return to fighting in both Iran and Lebanon if the fragile ceasefires in both countries collapse or expire without an extension in the coming weeks. We also learn about the IDF's somewhat pessimistic assessment of the truces announced by US President Donald Trump. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 26 years later, IDF restores its south Lebanon security zone — with key changes IDF on high alert amid fragile, temporary ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Omer Bartov is an Israeli professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University. He grew up in a Zionist home and served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, but he has long been concerned about Israel's use of military power. In a new book called “Israel: What Went Wrong?,” Bartov argues that Zionism has morphed into an ideology of extremism that led to genocide in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7th. “There is growing criticism of American support for these kinds of Israeli policies, both on the American left and on the American right,” Bartov tells David Remnick. Bartov believes that Israel requires “shock therapy” because “it has not still come to identify the limits of its own power, because those limits are in Washington, DC and it's there that those limits have to be set.” “For Israel, that would be good, because I think Israel needs to be liberated from that kind of dependence on American power. I think, for American society and for American Jewry, that's a very bad thing because there is a rise of . . . antisemitism from the Tucker Carlsons of the world, who are a rising force right now.”   Further reading:  “Israel: What Went Wrong?,” by Omer Bartov “A Holocaust Scholar Meets with Israeli Reservists,” by Isaac Chotiner “How to Define Genocide,” by Isaac Chotiner   New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. New Yorker Radio Hour listeners, we want to hear from you. We have a few questions about the show and how you listen to it. The survey takes about twenty minutes, and your feedback will help us make our podcast better. Take the survey here.

A stunning U.S. special forces rescue deep inside Iran saves two downed airmen in separate missions—one hiding injured on a mountain ridge for 36 hours. Ordered by Donald Trump, the operation is already being called one of the most complex in modern military history. At the same time, a massive jobs report shatters expectations, and a surprising cultural shift is emerging—faith is on the rise, with record Bible sales across the U.S. and U.K. From battlefield heroics to economic momentum and a spiritual resurgence, this episode connects it all.

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First up—new reporting reveals President Donald Trump is willing to end the war with Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz—raising serious questions about what “victory” actually looks like and who's left to deal with the fallout. Later in the show—Israel suspends a battalion after its troops detained a CNN crew in the West Bank, as the Israel Defense Forces faces scrutiny over the incident and conduct on the ground. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Superpower: Stop guessing about your health—get $20 off Superpower at https://superpower.com/pdb with code PDB. Ethos Life Insurance: Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at: https://ethos.com/PDB Sundays for Dogs: Upgrade your dog's food without the hassle—try Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/PDB50or use code PDB50 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Like all Israelis, Fabian is experiencing the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran first-hand. We hear that his area of the country has been more battered of late, and that his onsite reporting from a crater caused by a several-hundred-kilogram warhead yesterday. We turn to the IDF's airstrikes on Iran and what it is targeting now that the vast majority of military targets have been struck. Who turned out the lights in Iran yesterday? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would capture additional territory in southern Lebanon to expand a security zone on Israel’s northern border, as the Israel Defense Forces expanded its ground operation against the Hezbollah terror group. Fabian explains what this could look like. We learn about the IDF's Alipinist Unit -- IDF soldiers on skis -- who conducted a rare border crossing in snowy mountains from Syria to Lebanon. The IDF is pulling out the Menashe Regional Brigade’s 941st “Netzah Israel” Battalion, a reserve unit made up mostly of former soldiers of the Kfir Brigade’s ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion, from the West Bank. We learn why. And finally, we hear what is happening on the ground in Gaza as operations continue there. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Iranian missile attack sparks blaze in chemical plant, fears of hazardous leak Blackouts hit parts of Tehran as Israel conducts strikes in Iran amid peace talks PM says Israel to expand south Lebanon buffer zone as IDF pushes deeper into territory IDF chief: Detention, alleged assault of CNN crew in West Bank ‘grave ethical incident’ IDF pulls entire battalion from West Bank action after alleged assault of CNN crew Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: A poster shows former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, at the site of a destroyed house that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Sarafand village, south Lebanon, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has claimed more than 1,000 Lebanese lives, including 40 emergency workers. The latest victims include two young civil defense workers killed in Nabatieh, a town the Israel Defense Forces have placed under forced evacuation orders. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn and videographer Adrian Hartrick report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation orders for downtown Beirut ahead of airstrikes, as well as a second, sweeping evacuation order for southern Lebanon. That means around 10% of Lebanese territory is now subject to Israeli evacuation notices. This latest war has killed nearly 700 Lebanese and forced 800,000 more from their homes. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn reports from Beirut. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

America launched a coordinated joint attack with Israel on Iran, in an operation known as Operation Epic Fury," which led to the death of the second supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. Many in the mainstream media were quick to denounce the attacks, and some media outlets quickly began spreading the false story that the attack also hit an elementary school, when in reality it was a failed launch within the Middle East that hit the school. Glenn also brings in his chief researcher, Jason Buttrill, to lay out how America got to this point and what we can expect in the coming months. Retired Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, former Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, joins to give his assessment of the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Author of "The Terminal List" book series and executive producer of the TV series of the same name Jack Carr joins to discuss the strikes against Iran from a fiction author's perspective. Glenn lays out what he believes is Trump's true objective in striking Iran and why he believes the strikes were warranted. After a weekend of thought, Glenn gives his four conclusions regarding the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices