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On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, AJC hosted a conversation with Jason Greenblatt, a key architect of the Abraham Accords, and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. They discussed the challenges threatening regional stability, from unilateral moves on Palestinian statehood to political pressures within Israel, and underscored what's at stake—and what it will take—to expand the Abraham Accords and advance peace. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC.  Episode lineup: Dan Shapiro (1:00) Jason Greenblatt (18:05) Full transcript: https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/accords-of-tomorrow-architects-of-peace-episode-5 Resources: AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. AJC.org/AbrahamAccords - The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more on AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: AJC.org/ForgottenExodus AJC.org/PeopleofthePod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: Manya Brachear Pashman: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years – decades – in the making: landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords – normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Later, in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco. Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs and turning the spotlight on some of the results. Introducing the Architects of Peace. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, American Jewish Committee hosted conversations with former Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, a key architect of the Abraham Accords, and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro:. Both diplomats discussed the dangers threatening peace in the region, including some countries' unilateral calls for Palestinian statehood. They shared what's at stake and what it will take to expand the Abraham Accords and make progress toward peace in the region. We're including those conversations as part of our series.  AJC's Chief Strategy and Communications Officer Belle Yoeli starts us off with Ambassador Shapiro. Belle Yoeli:  Ambassador Shapiro, thank you so much for being with us. We're going to speak primarily about unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, but I, of course, want to ask you a couple of questions, because you have so much to share with us before we dive in.  First and foremost, as we've said, It's been almost two years, and at AJC, we're all about optimism and playing the long game, as you know, but it does feel like the challenges for the Jewish community and the state of Israel continue to build. And of course, the war looms very large. What is your analysis of the geopolitical horizon for the war in Gaza. Dan Shapiro:  First, thanks for having me. Thank you to American Jewish Committee and to Ted and everybody for all you do. Thank you, Ruby [Chen], and the families, for the fellowship that we can share with you in this goal. I'll just say it very simply, this war needs to end. The hostages need to come home. Hamas needs to be removed from power. And aid needs to surge into Gaza and move forward with a reconstruction of Gaza for Palestinians who prepare to live in peace with Israel. This is something that is overdue and needs to happen. I think there have been a number of missed opportunities along the way. I don't say this in a partisan way. I think President Trump has missed opportunities at the end of the first ceasefire, when the first ceasefire was allowed to expire after the Iran strike, something I strongly supported and felt was exactly the right thing to do. There was an opening to create a narrative to end the war. I think there have been other missed opportunities. And I don't say in a partisan way, because the administration I served in, the Biden administration, we made mistakes and we missed opportunities. So it can be shared. that responsibility.  But what I do think is that there is a new opportunity right now, and we saw it in President Trump's meeting with Arab leaders. It's going to take very significant, deft, and sustained diplomatic effort. He's got a good team, and they need to do the follow through now to hold the Arabs to their commitments on ensuring Hamas is removed from power, on ensuring that there's a security arrangement in Gaza that does not leave Israel vulnerable to any possibility of a renewal of hostilities against it. And of course, to get the hostages released. That's pressure on the Arabs. And of course, he's got a meeting coming up with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I do think he's going to need to lean on Prime Minister Netanyahu to overcome the resistance that he has to deal with in his cabinet, from those who want to continue the war or who those who rule out any role of any kind for the Palestinian Authority in something that will follow in the day after in Gaza.  So there is a real opportunity here. Once the war is over, then we have an opportunity to get back on the road that we were on. Two years ago at this UN General Assembly, I was serving as the Biden administration's Senior Advisor on regional integration, the first State Department position to hold that, trying to follow through on the excellent work that Jason Greenblatt and Jared Kushner and, of course, President Trump did in the first term in achieving the Abraham Accords. And we were building out the Negev Forum. And in fact, at that UNGA meeting, we had planned the next ministerial meeting of the Negev Forum. It was to take place October 19 in Marrakesh. Obviously, no one ever heard about that summit. It didn't happen. But getting back on the road to strengthening and expanding the Abraham Accords, to getting Saudi Arabia to the table as a country that will normalize relations with Israel, to expanding regional forums like the Negev Forum. Those are all still within reach, but none of them are possible until the war ends, till the hostages are home, till Hamas is removed from power.  Belle Yoeli:  Absolutely. And we look forward to talking more about the day after, in our next segment, in a segment coming up. Ambassador, you just got back from Israel. Can you tell us about your experience, the mood, what's the climate like in Israel? And any insights from your meetings and time that you think should be top of mind for us? Dan Shapiro:  I think what was top of mind for almost every Israeli I spoke to was the hostages. I spent time in the hostage square in Tel Aviv, spent time with Ruby, spent time with other hostage families, and everywhere you go as everybody who spin their nose, you see the signs, you hear the anxiety. And it's getting deeper because of the time that people are worried is slipping away for, especially for those who are still alive, but for all of those hostages to be returned to their families, so deep, deep anxiety about it, and candidly, some anger, I think we just heard a little bit of it toward a government that they're not sure shares that as the highest priority. There's a lot of exhaustion. People are tired of multiple rounds of reserve duty, hundreds of days. Families stressed by that as well the concern that this could drag on with the new operation well into next year. It's allowed to continue. It's a lot of worry about Israel's increased isolation, and of course, that's part of the subject. We'll discuss how countries who have been friends of Israel, whether in the region or in Europe or elsewhere, are responding in more and more negative ways, and Israel, and all Israelis, even in their personal lives, are feeling that pinch. But there's also some, I guess, expectant hope that President Trump, who is popular in Israel, of course, will use his influence and his regional standing, which is quite significant, to put these pieces together. Maybe we're seeing that happening this week. And of course, there's some expectant hope, or at least expectant mood, about an election next year, which will bring about some kind of political change in Israel. No one knows exactly what that will look like, but people are getting ready for that. So Israelis are relentlessly forward, looking even in the depths of some degree of anxiety and despair, and so I was able to feel those glimmers as well. Belle Yoeli:  And relentlessly resilient, absolutely resilient. And we know that inspires us. Moving back to the piece on diplomatic isolation and the main piece of our conversation, obviously, at AJC, we've been intensely focused on many of the aspects that are concerning us, in terms of unfair treatment of countries towards Israel, but unilateral recognition of Palestinian state is probably the most concerning issue that we've been dealing with this week, and obviously has gotten a lot of attention in the media. So from your perspective, what is this really all about? Obviously, this, this has been on the table for a while. It's not the first time that countries have threatened to do this, but I think it is the first time we're time we're seeing France and other major countries now pushing this forward in this moment. Is this all about political pressure on Israel? Dan Shapiro:  Well, first, I'll say that I think it's a mistake. I think it's an ill advised set of initiatives by France, by Canada, Australia, UK and others. It will change almost it will change nothing on the ground. And so to that sense, it's a purely rhetorical step that changes nothing, and probably does little, if anything, to advance toward the stated goal of some sort of resolution of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. And in many ways, it may actually set it back in part because of the way it appears to and certainly many Israelis understand it too. And I'm sorry to say, many Arabs understand it to reward Hamas. Hamas is celebrating it as an achievement of October 7, and that October 7 will find its place in the pantheon of the Palestinian Liberation story that should never be allowed to happen. So doing it this way, doing it without conditioning it on the release of hostages, on the disarming and removal of Hamas from Gaza, is a mistake. And of course, it tells Israelis that their very legitimate concerns about obviously the hostages, but also that some future Palestinian state, wherever and whatever form it might take, could become a threat to them from other parts, from parts of the West Bank, as it was from Gaza on October 7. And you cannot get to that goal unless you're willing to engage the Israeli public on those concerns, very legitimate concerns, and address them in a very forthright way.  So I think it's a mistake. I'm sure, to some degree, others have made this observation. It is motivated by some of the domestic political pressures that these leaders feel from their different constituencies, maybe their left, left wing constituencies, some right wing constituencies, and some immigrant constituencies. And so maybe they're responding to that. And I think that's, you know, leaders deal with those types of things. I think sometimes they make bad decisions in dealing with those types of pressures. I think that's the case here, but I it's also the case. I think it's just fair to say that in the absence of any Israeli Government articulated viable day after, plan for Gaza, something we were urged Israel to work with us on all the time. I was serving in the Biden administration, and I think the Trump administration has as well, but it's remained blurry. What does what is that vision of the day after? Not only when does it start, but what does it look like afterwards? And is it something that Arab States and European states can buy into and get behind and and put their influence to work to get Hamas out and to do a rebuild that meets the needs of both Israelis and Palestinians. There hasn't been that. And so that could have been a way of satisfying some of those domestic pressures, but it wasn't really available. And so I think some of the leaders turn to this ill advised move instead. Belle Yoeli:  So perhaps catering to domestic political concerns and wanting to take some sort of moral high ground on keeping peace alive, but beyond that, no real, practical or helpful outcomes, aside from setting back the cause of peace? Dan Shapiro:  I think it has limited practical effects. Fact, I think it does tell Israelis that much of the world has not internalized their legitimate concerns, and that they will be, you know, cautious at best for this. Everybody knows that there are many Israelis who have been long standing supporters of some kind of two state resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. And post October 7, they've, they don't still hold that position, or at least they say, if it can happen, it's going to take a long time, it's going to look very different. And I think that actually is some a real practical takeaway, that if we are going to talk about some future establishment of a Palestinian state and some two state arrangement, certainly separation between Israelis and Palestinians, so they don't try to live intermixed in a way that they govern each other. I think that is that is desirable, but it's not necessarily going to look like two state outcomes that were envisioned in the Oslo period, in the 90s and the 2000s it's going to look different. It's going to take longer. And so that is something that I think we have to make sure is understood as people raise this initiative, that their goal is not the goal of 1993 it's going to have to look different, and it's going to have to take longer. Belle Yoeli:  So as more and more countries have sort of joined this, this move that we find to be unhelpful, obviously, a concern that we all have who are engaged in this work is that we've heard response, perhaps, from the Israelis, that there could be potential annexation of the West Bank, and that leads to this sort of very, very, even more concerning scenario that all of the work that you were discussing before, around the Abraham Accords, could freeze, or, perhaps even worse, collapse. What's your analysis on that scenario? How concerned should we be based on everything that you know now and if not that scenario? What else should we be thinking about? Dan Shapiro:  We should be concerned. I was actually in Israel, when the UAE issued their announcement about four weeks ago that annexation in the West Wing could be a red line, and I talked to a very senior UAE official and tried to understand what that means, and they aren't, weren't prepared to or say precisely what it means. It doesn't necessarily mean they're going to break off relations or end the Abraham Accords, but that they would have to respond, and there's a limited range of options for how one could respond, with moving ambassadors or limiting flights or reducing certain kinds of trade or other visits. Nothing good, nothing that would help propel forward the Abraham accords and that particular critical bilateral relationship in a way that we wanted to so I think there's risk. I think if the UAE would take that step, others would probably take similar steps. Egypt and Jordan have suggested there would be steps. So I think there's real risk there, and I think it's something that we should be concerned about, and we should counsel our Israeli friends not to go that route. There are other ways that they may respond. In fact, I think we've already seen the Trump administration, maybe as a proxy, make some kind of moves that try to balance the scales of these unilateral recognitions. But that particular one, with all of the weight that it carries about what how it limits options for future endpoints, I think would be very, very damaging. And I don't think I'm the only one. Just in the last hour and a half or so, President Trump, sitting in the Oval Office, said very publicly that he, I think you said, would not allow Netanyahu to do the Analyze annexation of the West Bank. I think previously, it was said by various people in the administration that it's really an Israeli decision, and that the United States is not going to tell them what to do. And that's perfectly fine as a public position, and maybe privately, you can say very clearly what you think is the right course, he's now said it very publicly. We'll see if he holds to that position. But he said it, and I think given the conversations he was having with Arab leaders earlier this week, given the meeting, he will have his fourth meeting. So it's obviously a very rich relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday, I think it's clear what he believes is necessary to get to the end of this war and not leave us in a worse position for trying to get back on the road to his goals. His goals of expanding the Abraham accords his great achievement from the first term, getting Saudi Arabia to normalize relations, of course, getting hostages released and getting Arabs involved in the reconstruction of Gaza in a way that Gaza can never become the threat it was again on October 7, those are his goals. They'll be well served by the end of the war that I described earlier, and by avoiding this cycle that you're referencing. Belle Yoeli:  Putting aside the issue of unilateral recognition, I think we've seen in our work with our Israeli counterparts, sort of differences in the political establish. Around how important it is in thinking about the day after and seeing movement on the Palestinian issue. And we've seen from some that they perhaps make it out that it's not as important that the Palestinian having movement towards a political path. It's not necessarily a have to be front and center, while others seem to prioritize it. And I think in our work with Arab countries, it's very clear that there does have to be some tangible movement towards the political aspirations for the Palestinian for there to really be any future progress beyond the Abraham accords. What's your take? Dan Shapiro:  My take is that the Arab states have often had a kind of schizophrenic view about the Palestinian issue. It's not always been, maybe rarely been their highest priority. They've certainly had a lot of disagreements with and maybe negative assessments of Palestinian leaders, of course, Hamas, but even Palestinian Authority leaders. And so, you know, it's possible to ask the question, or it has been over time, you know, how high do they prioritize? It? Certainly those countries that stepped forward to join the Abraham accords said they were not going to let that issue prevent them from advancing their own interests by establishing these productive bilateral relations with Israel, having said that there's no question that Arab publics have been deeply, deeply affected by the war in Gaza, by the coverage they see they unfortunately, know very little about what happened on October 7, and they know a lot about Israeli strikes in Gaza, civilian casualties, humanitarian aid challenges, and so that affects public moods. Even in non democratic countries, leaders are attentive to the views of their publics, and so I think this is important to them. And every conversation that I took part in, and I know my colleagues in the Biden administration with Arab states about those day after arrangements that we wanted them to participate in, Arab security forces, trainers of Palestinian civil servants, reconstruction funding and so forth. They made very clear there were two things they were looking for. They were looking for a role for the Palestinian Authority, certainly with room to negotiate exactly what that role would be, but some foothold for the Palestinian Authority and improving and reforming Palestinian Authority, but to have them be connected to that day after arrangement in Gaza and a declared goal of some kind of Palestinian state in the future.  I think there was a lot of room in my experience, and I think it's probably still the case for flexibility on the timing, on the dimensions, on some of the characteristics of that outcome. And I think a lot of realism among some of these Arab leaders that we're not talking about tomorrow, and we're not talking about something that might have been imagined 20 or 30 years ago, but they still hold very clearly to those two positions as essentially conditions for their involvement in getting to getting this in. So I think we have to take it seriously. It sounds like President Trump heard that in his meeting with the Arab leaders on Tuesday. It sounds like he's taking it very seriously. Belle Yoeli:  I could ask many more questions, but I would get in trouble, and you've given us a lot to think about in a very short amount of time. Ambassador Shapiro, thank you so much for being with us. Dan Shapiro:  Thank you. Thank you everybody.  Manya Brachear Pashman: As you heard, Ambassador Shapiro served under President Obama. Now AJC's Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson speaks with Jason Greenblatt, who served under President Trump. But don't expect a counterpoint. Despite their political differences, these two men see eye to eye on quite a bit. Jason Isaacson: Jason first, thank you for the Abraham Accords. The work that you did changed the history of the Middle East. We are so full of admiration for the work of you and your team. Jared Kushner. Of course, President Trump, in changing the realities for Israel's relationship across the region and opening the door to the full integration of Israel across the region.  It's an unfinished work, but the work that you pioneered with the President, with Jared, with the whole team, has changed the perspective that Israel can now enjoy as it looks beyond the immediate borders, Jordan and Egypt, which has had relations with a quarter a century or more, to full integration in the region. And it's thanks to you that we actually are at this point today, even with all the challenges. So first, let me just begin this conversation by just thanking you for what you've done.  Jason Greenblatt: Thank you. Thank you, and Shana Tova to everybody, thank you for all that you do. Jason Isaacson: Thank you. So you were intimately involved in negotiations to reach normalization agreements between Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco, the Kingdom of Bahrain, of course, the United Arab Emirates. Can you take us behind the scenes of these negotiations? At what point during the first term of President Trump did this become a priority for the administration, and when did it seem that it might actually be a real possibility? Jason Greenblatt: So I have the benefit, of course, of looking backward, right? We didn't start out to create the Abraham Accords. We started out to create peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which, as Dan knows, and so many people here know, including you Jason, seems to be an impossible task. But I would say that if I follow the breadcrumbs, my first meeting with Yousef Al Otaiba was a lunch, where it was the first time I actually ever met an Emirati, the first time I understood the psychology of the Emiratis. And others. I realized that the world had changed tremendously.  Everything that you heard about anti-Israel wasn't part of the conversation. I'll go so far as to say, when I went to the Arab League Summit that took place in Jordan in March of 2017 where I met every foreign minister. And I'm not going to tell you that I loved many of those meetings, or 85% of the conversation, where it wasn't exactly excited about Israel and what Israel stood for. There were so many things in those conversations that were said that gave me hope.  So it was multiple years of being in the White House and constantly trying to work toward that. But I want to go backwards for a second, and you touched on this in your speech, there are many parents and grandparents of the Abraham Accords, and AJC is one of those parents or grandparents. There are many people who work behind the scenes, Israeli diplomats and so many others. And I'm sure the Kingdom of Morocco, where the architecture was built for something like the Abraham Accords, everybody wanted regional peace and talked about Middle East peace. But we were fortunate, unfortunately for the Palestinians who left the table, which was a big mistake, I think, on their part, we're very fortunate to take all of that energy and all of that hard work and through a unique president, President Trump, actually create that architecture.  On a sad note, I wouldn't say that when I left the White House, I thought I'd be sitting here thinking, you know, five years out, I thought there'd be lots of countries that would already have signed and all the trips that I take to the Middle East, I thought would be much. Now they're easy for me, but we're in a very, very different place right now. I don't think I ever would have envisioned that. Jason Isaacson: Thank you. The administration has talked a great deal about expanding the Abraham Accords, of course, and as have we. Indeed, at an AJC program that we had in Washington in February with Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, he talked publicly for the first time about Lebanon and Syria joining the Accords. Obviously, with both of those countries, their new political situation presents new possibilities.  However, the ongoing war in Gaza, as we've been discussing with Ambassador Shapiro, and Israel's actions, including most recently striking Hamas in Doha, have further isolated Israel in the region and made an expansion of the accords harder to envision. At least, that's the way it seems. Given the current situation in the Middle East. Do you think the Trump administration can be successful in trying to broker new agreements, or do the current politics render that impossible in the short term? How hopeful are you? Jason Greenblatt: So I remain hopeful. First of all, I think that President Trump is a unique president because he's extremely close to the Israeli side, and he's very close to the Arab side. And he happens to have grandchildren who are both, right. I think, despite this terrible time that we're facing, despite hostage families, I mean, the terrible things that they have to live through and their loved ones are living it through right now, I still have hope. There's no conversation that I have in the Arab world that still doesn't want to see how those Abraham Accords can be expanded. Dan, you mentioned the Arab media. It's true, the Arab world has completely lost it when it comes to Israel, they don't see what I see, what I'm sure all of you see.  I'm no fan of Al Jazeera, but I will say that there are newspapers that I write for, like Arab News. And when I leave the breakfast room in a hotel in Riyadh and I look at the headlines of, not Al Jazeera, but even Arab News, I would say, Wow, what these people are listening to and reading, what they must think of us. And we're seeing it now play out on the world stage. But despite all that, and I take my kids to the Middle East all the time, we have dear friends in all of those countries, including very high level people. I've gotten some great Shana Tovas from very high level people. They want the future that was created by the Abraham Accords. How we get there at this particular moment is a big question mark. Jason Isaacson: So we touched on this a little bit in the earlier conversation with Dan Shapiro:. Your team during the first Trump administration was able to defer an Israeli proposal to annex a portion of the West Bank, thanks to obviously, the oped written by Ambassador Al Otaiba, and the very clear position that that government took, that Israel basically had a choice, normalization with the UAE or annexation. Once again, there is discussion now in Israel about annexation. Now the President, as Ambassador Shapiro just said, made a very dramatic statement just a couple of hours ago. How do you see this playing out? Do you think that annexation is really off the table now? And if it were not off the table, would it prevent the continuation of the agreements that were reached in 2020 and the expansion of those agreements to a wider integration of Israel in the region? Jason Greenblatt: To answer that, I think for those of you who are in the room, who don't know me well, you should understand my answer is coming from somebody who is on the right of politics, both in Israel and here. In fact, some of my Palestinian friends would say that sometimes I was Bibi's mouthpiece. But I agree with President Trump and what he said earlier today that Dan had pointed out, I don't think this is the time. I don't think it's the place. And I was part of the team that wrote the paperwork that would have allowed Israel to . . . you use the word annexation. I'll say, apply Israeli sovereignty. You'll use the word West Bank, I'll use Judea, Samaria.  Whatever the label is, it really doesn't matter. I don't think this is the time to do it. I think Israel has so many challenges right now, militarily, hostages, there's a million things going on, and the world has turned against Israel. I don't agree with those that are pushing Bibi. I don't know if it's Bibi himself, but I hope that Bibi could figure out a way to get out of that political space that he's in. And I think President Trump is making the right call. Jason Isaacson: So, I was speaking with Emirati diplomats a couple of days ago, who were giving me the sense that Israel hasn't gotten the message that the Palestinian issue is really important to Arab leaders. And we talked about this with Ambassador Shapiro earlier, that it's not just a rhetorical position adopted by Arab leaders. It actually is the genuine view of these Arab governments. Is that your sense as well that there needs to be something on the Palestinian front in order to advance the Abraham Accords, beyond the countries that we've established five years ago? Jason Greenblatt: You know, when I listened to Dan speak, and I told him this after his remarks, I'm always reminded that even though we disagree around the edges on certain things, if you did a Venn diagram, there would be a lot of overlap. I agree with how he sees the world. But I want to take it even back to when I was in the White House.  There are many times people said, Oh, the Arabs don't care about the Palestinians. They don't care. We could just do whatever we want. It's not true. They may care more about their own countries, right? They all have their visions, and it's important to them to advance their own visions. The Palestinian cause may not have been as important, but there is no way that they were going to abandon the Palestinians back then, and I don't think the UAE or the Kingdom of Morocco or others having entered into the Abraham Accords, abandoned the Palestinians. I think that was the wrong way to look at it, but they are certainly not going to abandon the Palestinians now. And I think that how Dan described it, which is there has to be some sort of game plan going forward. Whether you want to call it a state, which, I don't like that word, but we can't continue to live like this. I'm a grandfather now of three. I don't want my grandchildren fighting this fight. I really don't. Is there a solution?  Okay, there's a lot of space between what I said and reality, and I recognize that, but it's incumbent on all of us to keep trying to figure out, is there that solution? And it's going to include the Palestinians. I just want to close my answer with one thing that might seem odd to everybody. I'm not prone to quoting Saeb Erekat, who I disagreed with, the late Saeb Erekat, who I disagreed with just about on everything, but he used to tell me, Jason, the answer isn't in the Koran, it's not in the Torah, it's not in the Christian Bible, and the Israelis and the Palestinians are not leaving the space. So let's figure out a solution that we could all live with. So that's how I see it. Jason Isaacson: Thank you for that. One last question. I also heard in another conversation with other em righty diplomats the other day that the conflict isn't between Arabs and Israelis or Arabs and Jews, it's between moderates and extremists, and that the UAE is on the side of the moderates, and Morocco is on the side of the moderates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain is on the side of the moderates, and Israel is on the side of the moderates. And that's what we have to keep in our minds.   But let me also ask you something that we've been saying for 30 years across the region, which is, if you believe in the Palestinian cause, believe in rights for the Palestinians, you will advance that cause by engaging Israel, not by isolating Israel. Is that also part of the argument that your administration used five years ago? Jason Greenblatt: 100%. I think, I mean, I kept pushing for it and eventually they did it, for the Israelis and the Arabs to engage directly. Yes, the US plays a role, and they could play a moderating role. They could play somewhat of a coercive role. Nobody's going to force the Israelis, or frankly, even the Palestinians, to do anything they don't want to do, but getting them in the room so there are no missed signals, no missed expectations, I think, is the key part of this solution. I'm still hopeful, just to go back to your prior question, that they could get the right people in the room and somebody like President Trump, together with Emirati diplomats, Moroccan diplomats and others. They could talk rationally, and sanely, and appropriately, and we'll get somewhere good. Jason Isaacson: Ok, look ahead. We just marked the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords. Will there be a 10th Anniversary of the Abraham Accords, and will it look the same that it is now? Jason Greenblatt: No, I think it's going to be better. Yes, I think there's going to be a 10th Anniversary. I think there will be challenges. But maybe the best way I could answer this is, when the, I'll call it, the beeper incident in Lebanon happened. Okay, quite, quite a feat. I was in a conference room at a client of mine in the Middle East. Most of the room was filled with Lebanese Arabs, Christians and Muslims and some Druze. And it was unusual for everybody's phone to buzz at once, because I'm usually following the Israeli and American news. They're following Arab news. All the phones buzz. So somebody stopped talking, and we all picked up our phone to look at it. And I'm looking at the headlines thinking, oh, boy, am I in the wrong room, right?  And after a minute or so of people kind of catching their breath, understanding what happened, two or three of them said, wow, Jason. Like, that's incredible. Like, you know, I wasn't in the White House anymore, but they also want a different future, right? They are sick and tired of Lebanon being a failed state. Their kids are like my kids, and they're just . . . they're everything that they're building is for a different future, and I see that time and time again. So to go back to the UAE diplomats comment, which I hear all the time as well. It really is a fight of moderates against extremists. The extremists are loud and they're very bad. We know that, but we are so much better. So working together, I think we're going to get to somewhere great. Jason Isaacson: Very good. Okay. Final question. You can applaud, it's okay. Thank you for that. Out of the Abraham Accords have grown some regional cooperation agreements. I too, you too, IMEC, the India, Middle East, Europe, Economic corridor. Do you see that also, as part of the future, the creation of these other regional agreements, perhaps bringing in Japan and Korea and and other parts of the world into kind of expanding the Abraham Accords? In ways that are beneficial to many countries and also, at the same time, deepening the notion of Israelis, Israel's integration in the region. Jason Greenblatt: 100% and I know I think AJC has been very active on the IMEC front. People used to say, Oh, this is not an economic peace. It isn't an economic peace, but nor is economics not a very important part of peace. So all of these agreements, I encourage you to keep working toward them, because they will be needed. In fact, one of the fights that I used to have with Saeb Erekat and President Abbas all the time is, I know you're not an economic issue, but let's say we manage to make peace. What's going to happen the next day? You need an economic plan. Let's work on the economic plan. So whether it's IMEC or something else, just keep working at it. Go, you know, ignore the bad noise. The bad noise is here for a little while, unfortunately, but there will be a day after, and those economic agreements are what's going to be the glue that propels it forward. Jason Isaacson: Jason Greenblatt, really an honor to be with you again. Thank you.  Manya Brachear Pashman: In our next episode of the series, we will explore more of the opportunities and challenges presented by the Abraham Accords and who might be the next country to sign the landmark peace agreement.  Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible.  You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace. The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC. You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland Inspired Middle East: ID: 241884108; Composer: iCENTURY Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: https://inside.arkmedia.orgGift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: http://inside.arkmedia.org/giftsSubscribe to Amit Segal's newsletter ‘It's Noon in Israel': https://arkmedia.org/amitsegal/Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: https://lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': https://lnk.to/rfGlrAFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: https://x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode: Over the past few days, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and several other countries formally recognized a Palestinian State at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The practical implications of this “diplomatic wave” are yet to be seen, but the Israeli Government is taking the move seriously, as many interpret Palestinian recognition as a reward for Hamas' terrorism. Meanwhile, the IDF continues its operations in Gaza City. To discuss the implications of recognizing Palestinian statehood and the evolving situation in Gaza, Dan was joined by Ark Media contributors Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal. CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive ProducerMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Over the past few days, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and several other countries formally recognized a Palestinian State at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The practical implications of this “diplomatic wave” are yet to be seen, but the Israeli Government is taking the move seriously, as many interpret Palestinian recognition […]

Alan Skorski sat down for an in-depth interview with Leah Harris, activist/spokesperson for Mothers Of The IDF Combat Soldiers Organization, who has appeared numerous times before the Israeli Knesset demanding that the Government take harsher measures against Gaza so that Israel can win the war, defeat Hamas, bring back our hostages, and allow the soldiers and their families begin to heal from the trauma they have all suffered through a war that seems to not have a game plan to win. Leah is the mother of 5 soldiers, each who have served hundreds of days since October 7, and is the mother-in-law to another 2 reserve soldiers. Their message is very clear: The lives of our soldiers must always take precedence over the lives of our enemies! Early in the interview, Alan asked Leah about a quote from her Knesset appearance on September 8; You said before the Knesset: Why is it “normal” and acceptable that so many of my grandchildren need therapy now, because their fathers haven't been home for much of the last 2 years? I have one son who just finished 460 (!!) days of reserve duty - leaving his wife, children and business behind - because he knows that it's a noble cause, but the price is great. They are willing to continue serving their country, but they want to know that their service is meaningful. That they are being given the tools to actually win this war. Later in the interview, Leah addressed a common concern from many Israeli's who have sacrificed so much, and are asked to provide safe haven and protection for aide going into Gaza: My son-in-law is on reserve duty in Gaza now. He left his family from the end of July through the entire holiday season, until the end of October. I spoke to him, and he said - “I'm willing to do this, but did I really leave my wife and children in order to provide security for those endless trucks going straight into the hands of Hamas, and putting me and my fellow soldiers in danger?? That's what I left my family for?? And even when we see the armed Hamas terrorists taking over the trucks, we're not allowed to shoot them, unless we have written orders from above!!” Leah said that she has been well-received by Knesset member from Likud and those politicians on the Right, but treated most rudely by some members from Yesh Atid. When asked if she has met with families of the hostages, many of whom just want their family back, she said that some of them agree with her, that winning the war and defeating Hamas comes before anything else, while other hostage families see the release of their loved ones as the first and most important priority. Alan Skorski Reports 25AUG2025 - PODCAST

• Guest Name: Alex Traiman Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 • Affiliation: CEO and Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Jewish News Service (JNS) • Summary: The discussion focuses on the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the Israeli government's preference for all hostage releases and Hamas's surrender for an end to the war. It details the IDF's military campaign in Gaza City, the challenges of urban warfare, and the ongoing threat from Iranian-backed proxies like Hamas and the Houthis. The long-term outlook suggests a complex, "unclean" end to the conflict, with continued terror attacks likely. 1945

  His Week That Was – Kevin Healy, Human rights activist Dr Helen McCue talking about the Gaza she knew before the genocide and the assassinations of journalists and health professionals in Gaza today, Anti nuclear campaigner with ACF Dave Sweeney and the truth about waste from nuclear powered submarines, RMIT Senior Lecturer Dr Binoy Kampmark and some of the other fascists in the Netanyahu government, and Correspondent with Islands Business, Nic Maclellan preparing to go to the Solomon Islands for the 2025 Pacific islands Forum. Head to www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday for full access to links and previous podcasts

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher joins Kathryn to talk about the Israeli Government's plans for Gaza.

On October 7th, Sharone Lifschitz' parents were kidnapped from Israel by members of Hamas. Her mother was released two weeks later, but her father's body was returned to Israel last February. Now, she is urging the Israeli Government not to annex Gaza as they will be risking the lives of all remaining hostages. Ciara spoke to Sharone began by asking her about the shocking events of the day her parents were kidnapped.

On October 7th, Sharone Lifschitz' parents were kidnapped from Israel by members of Hamas. Her mother was released two weeks later, but her father's body was returned to Israel last February. Now, she is urging the Israeli Government not to annex Gaza as they will be risking the lives of all remaining hostages. Ciara spoke to Sharone began by asking her about the shocking events of the day her parents were kidnapped.

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has continued to defend his government's plan to escalate the war in Gaza, despite widespread international condemnation and outrage.The Israeli leader claims his security cabinet's decision to capture Gaza City, which could mean months, possibly years, of combat ahead, is “the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily”.The plan has resulted in protests across Israel with calls for a total end to the war and the release of hostages. Israeli military leaders have also opposed the plan.Meanwhile, starvation continues to spread across Gaza, with Israel permitting just a fraction of the aid needed to address the catastrophic levels of hunger into the strip.And this week, five journalists, including a prominent Al Jazeera reporter, were killed in a targeted Israeli air strike. Their deaths bring to 192 the total number of journalists who have died since the war in Gaza nearly two years ago, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.Why, in the face of all this, is Mr Netanyahu pushing ahead to reoccupy Gaza City, despite overwhelming opposition to his plan?Today, on In The News, Netanyahu says the plan to control Gaza city will end the war. But, is that what he really wants?Irish Times contributor Mark Weiss discusses the fallout from the Israeli Government's decision to take control of Gaza city.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Andrew Mc Nair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has criticised the Israeli Government for committing genocide in Gaza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli protestors have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv angry over the Israeli Government's plan to occupy Gaza City. Latest opinion polls show around 70 percent of people in Israel oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for military control in Gaza City. World leaders have condemned Israel's take-over plan and an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is due to be held in New York tomorrow. Israeli journalist Gideon Levy says there's a great number of protesters on the streets, but people in Israel are divided over Netanyahu's plans. "There is the other camp which continues to support Netanyahu and will continue to support him...so the protest is very impressive, but it does not have a lot of effect." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we learned that Benjamin Netanyahu's government is planning to fully occupy the Gaza strip. With thousands of Palestinians killed over the last 22 months, Kieran is joined by Ria Czerniak Lebov, granddaughter of a Holocaust escapee and Lecturer in NCAD, who has been speaking out against Zionism and the Israeli Government.

The Israeli Government's security cabinet discusses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to totally occupy Gaza.

The Israeli Government's security cabinet discusses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to totally occupy Gaza.

Reports today suggest that the Israeli Government may decide to fully occupy Gaza. This would put an end to the 2005 decision to remove any Israeli troops from the area.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Bel Trew, the Chief International Correspondent at The Independent and Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.Image: Reuters

A group of world leaders spoke out this week against the Israeli Government’s aid distribution model in Gaza, including IDF soldiers killing Palestinians trying to get food and supplies. It comes almost two years into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and repeated limitation of aid, following Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023. In today’s episode, we’ll explain what we know about the Israeli army’s killing of Palestinians accessing aid from United Nations staff on the ground in Gaza, and the global response. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Emma GillespieProducer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran and Israel have targeted each other with airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Australia has imposed sanctions on two members of the Israeli government, taking the action alongside four other nations. The move has been welcomed by some, but there are concerns it will impede the ongoing peace process. - अस्ट्रेलियाले इजरेलका दुई मन्त्रीहरू माथि प्रतिबन्ध जारी गरेको छ। यो कदमको केही स्वागत गरेका छन् भने केहीले चल्दै आएको शान्ति प्रक्रिया भङ्ग हुन सक्ने भन्दै चिन्ता व्यक्त गरेका छन्। एक रिपोर्ट।

Australia has imposed sanctions on two members of the Israeli government, taking the action alongside four other nations. The move has been welcomed by some, but there are concerns it will impede the ongoing peace process.

Listen to the top News of 11/06/2025 from Australia in Hindi.

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discuss Iran in a phone call, and Trump says he's trying to make a deal with Iran to avoid "destruction and death," but "it might not work out that way;" Iranians threaten ...

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discuss Iran in a phone call, and Trump says he's trying to make a deal with Iran to avoid "destruction and death," but "it might not work out that way;" Iranians threaten ...

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discuss Iran in a phone call, and Trump says he's trying to make a deal with Iran to avoid "destruction and death," but "it might not work out that way;" Iranians threaten ...

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discuss Iran in a phone call, and Trump says he's trying to make a deal with Iran to avoid "destruction and death," but "it might not work out that way;" Iranians threaten ...

Israel's government recently voted to ramp up the war in Gaza. A food blockade starved Gazans for months. And critical voices internationally, and within Israel itself, are rising. What do Israel's government and its people want now in Gaza?

The Israeli government is failing the people The Jay Shapiro Show 29MAY 2025 - PODCAST

We get the latest accounts of the deaths of nine children in one medical family in Gaza - we speak to a doctor who recounts what the mother of these children told her. And we hear a response from the Israeli government to the deaths of the children. Also on the programme: Is Israel beginning to lose the backing of some Western governments? Grammy-nominated musician Anoushka Shankar tells us about her latest album; five years after the death of George Floyd, how much has changed as a result of the Black Lives Matter Movement? And the South Korean woman whose daughter was kidnapped and then traced to the US 44 years later.(Photo: Tents of internally displaced Palestinians who fled from the northern Gaza Strip are set up next to the beach in the west of Gaza City, 25 May 2025. Credit: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Humanitarian aid is now reaching Gaza, although the required levels remain a point of dispute between the Israeli Government and aid agencies. It comes in a week when human tragedies in Gaza and Washington continue to mount. Julie Etchingham examines the key questions in a seemingly intractable conflict.The Vatican has been thrust front and centre in attempts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war. How realistic is it to hope that the papacy might achieve a breakthrough for peace where so many others have failed?And Ramblings presenter Clare Balding describes the experience of walking the iconic pilgrim route of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (way of St James) and recommends 'pilgrimages' to others.PRESENTER - Julie Etchingham PRODUCERS - Bara'atu Ibrahim and Linda Walker PRODUCTION COORDINATOR - Kim Agostino STUDIO MANAGERS - Kelly Young and Sam Mills EDITOR - Tim Pemberton

In the midst of the terrible Trump tax bill moving through Congress, Ralph invites Sarah Anderson who directs the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies to discuss the massive tax loopholes huge companies like Amazon get that allow them to pay far less in taxes than ordinary working people. Then, Greg LeRoy from Good Jobs First joins us to discuss how state taxpayers are footing the bill for these massive data centers companies like Google are building all over the country. Plus, Ralph has some choice words for passive unions and responds to listener feedback about our guest last week, Nadav Wieman.Sarah Anderson directs the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies and is a co-editor of the IPS website Inequality.org. Her research covers a wide range of international and domestic economic issues, including inequality, CEO pay, taxes, labor, and Wall Street reform.They're (Congress is) planning to give huge new tax giveaways to large corporations like Amazon and wealthy people like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. And partially paying for those tax cuts for the wealthy by slashing programs that mean so much to so many Americans like Medicaid and food assistance.”Sarah AndersonWe're not going to have a healthy, thriving society and economy as long as we have the extreme levels of inequality that we have today.Sarah AndersonDubbed “the leading national watchdog of state and local economic development subsidies,” “an encyclopedia of information regarding subsidies,” “God's witness to corporate welfare,” and “the OG of ensuring that state and local tax policy actually supports good jobs, sustainability, and equity,”* Greg founded Good Jobs First in 1998 upon winning the Public Interest Pioneer Award. He has trained and consulted for state and local governments, associations of public officials, labor-management committees, unions, community groups, tax and budget watchdogs, environmentalists, and smart growth advocates more than 30 years.Public education and public health are the two biggest losers in every state giving away money to data centers right now.Greg Le RoyWe know of no other form of state spending that is so out of control. Therefore, we recommend that states cancel their data center tax exemptions. Such subsidies are absolutely unnecessary for an extremely profitable industry dominated by some of the most valuable corporations on earth such as Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, and Google.Good Jobs First report: “Cloudy With a Loss of Spending Control”They've (Congress has) known for years that the ordinary worker pays a higher tax rate than these loophole-ridden corporations.Ralph NaderIn my message to Trump, I ask him, "Why is he afraid of Netanyahu? And doesn't he want to come to the rescue of these innocent babies by saying, ‘Mr. Netanyahu, the taxpayers in this country are paying for thousands of trucks stalled at the border of Gaza full of medicine, food, water, electricity, fuel, and other critical necessities? We're going to put a little American flag on each one of these trucks, and don't you dare block them.'”…No answer.Ralph NaderNews 5/23/251. It seems as though the dam in Israeli politics against acknowledging the horrors in Gaza is beginning to break. In an interview with the BBC this week, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated that what Israel "is currently doing in Gaza is very close to a war crime. Thousands of innocent Palestinians are being killed.” He went on to say, “the war has no objective and has no chance of achieving anything that could save the lives of the hostages.” These quotes come from the Jerusalem Post. And on May 21st, Haaretz reported that opposition party leader Yair Golan warned that Israel could become a “pariah state, like South Africa once was,” based on its actions in Gaza. Speaking a truth that American politicians appear incapable of articulating, he added, a “sane state does not wage war against civilians, does not kill babies as a hobby, and does not set goals for itself like the expulsion of a population.”2. Confirming this prognosis, the Cradle reports “The Israeli military has admitted that more than 80 percent of the people killed in the attacks on Gaza since Israel breached the ceasefire two months ago are…civilians.” This fact was confirmed by the IDF in response to a request from Hebrew magazine Hamakom, wherein “the military's spokesperson stated that 500 of the 2,780 killed in the Gaza Strip as of Tuesday are ‘terrorists.'” Leaving the remaining 2,280 people killed classified as “not suspected terrorists.” The Cradle compares this ratio, approximately 4.5 civilians killed for every combatant, to the Russia-Ukraine war – a ratio of approximate 2.8 to one. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has “claimed that the ratio is just one civilian killed for each combatant killed.” At the same time, AP reports that while Israel has allowed a minimum of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, under immense international pressure, “none of that aid actually reached Palestinians,” according to the United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. The renewed offensive coupled with the barring of humanitarian aid has raised the alarm about mass starvation in Gaza.3. Developments on the ground in Gaza have triggered a new wave of international outcry. On May 19th, leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada issued a joint statement, reading in part, “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable… The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law…We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.” The Parliament of Spain meanwhile, “passed a non-binding motion calling on the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel,” per Anadolu Ajansı. This potential ban, supported by all parties except the conservative People's Party and the far-right Vox, would “ban the exports of any material that could strengthen the Israeli military, including helmets, vests, and fuel with potential military use.” Left-wing parties in Spain are now pushing for an emergency session to impose a binding decree to this effect.4. The United States however seems to be moving backwards. Drop Site news reports Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff made a deal with Hamas ensuring that, “the Trump administration would compel Israel to lift the Gaza blockade and allow humanitarian aid to enter the territory…[and] make a public call for an immediate ceasefire,” in exchange for the release of Edan Alexander. Of course, once Alexander was released Trump reneged completely. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, told Drop Site, “He did nothing of this…They didn't violate the deal. They threw it in the trash.” Besides prolonging further the charnel house in Gaza, this duplicity undermines American credibility in the region, particularly with Iran at a time when Trump is seeking a new deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.5. Democrats in Congress are inching towards action as well. On May 13th, Senator Peter Welch introduced Senate Resolution 224, calling for “the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to address the needs of civilians in Gaza.” Along with Welch, 45 Democrats and Independents signed on to this resolution, that is the entire Democratic caucus except for John Fetterman. On May 14th, Rashida Tlaib introduced House Resolution 409, commemorating the Nakba and calling on Congress to “reinstate support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.” This was cosponsored by AOC and Reps. Carson, Lee, Omar, Pressley, Ramirez, Simon, and Coleman. And, on May 21st, a group of eight senators – Welch, Sanders, Kaine, Merkley, Murray, Van Hollen, Schatz, and Warnock – sent a letter urging Secretary of State Rubio to reopen the investigation into the death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh, per Prem Thakker. The Biden administration ruled the death “unintentional,” but a new documentary by Zeteo News reveals a “Biden cover-up.”6. More action is occurring on college campuses as well, as students go into graduation season. At NYU, a student named Logan Rozos said in his graduation speech, “As I search my heart today in addressing you all…the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time and to a group this large is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine,” per CNN. NYU announced that they are now withholding his diploma. At George Washington University, the Guardian reports student Cecilia Culver said in her graduation speech, “I am ashamed to know my tuition [fee] is being used to fund…genocide…I call upon the class of 2025 to withhold donations and continue advocating for disclosure and divestment.” GWU issued a statement declaring Culver “has been barred from all GW's campuses and sponsored events elsewhere.” The moral clarity of these students is remarkable, given the increasingly harsh measures these schools have taken to silence those who speak up.7. Moving on, several major stories about the failing DOGE initiative have surfaced in recent days. First, Social Security. Listeners may recall that a DOGE engineer said “40% of phone calls made to [the Social Security Administration] to change direct deposit information come from fraudsters.” Yet, a new report by NextGov.com found that since DOGE mandated the SSA install new anti-fraud checks on claims made over the phone, “only two claims out of over 110,000 were found to likely be fraudulent,” or 0.0018%. What the policy has done however, is slow down payments. According to this piece, retirement claim processing is down 25%. Meanwhile, at the VA, DOGE engineer Sahil Lavingia, “found…a machine that largely functions, though it doesn't make decisions as fast as a startup might.” Lavingia added “honestly, it's kind of fine—because the government works. It's not as inefficient as I was expecting, to be honest. I was hoping for more easy wins.” This from Fast Company. Finally, CBS reports, “leaders of the United States Institute for Peace regained control of their offices Wednesday…after they were ejected from their positions by the Trump administration and [DOGE] in March.” This piece explains that On February 19th, President Trump issued Executive Order 14217 declaring USIP "unnecessary" and terminating its leadership, most of its 300 staff members, its entire board, installing a DOGE functionary at the top and transferring ownership of the building to the federal government. This set off a court battle that ended Monday, when U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the takeover was “unlawful” and therefore “null and void.” These DOGE setbacks might help explain Elon Musk's reported retreat from the political spotlight and political spending.8. On May 21st, Congressman Gerry Connolly passed away, following his battle with esophageal cancer. Connolly's death however is just the latest in a disturbing trend – Ken Klippenstein reports, “Connolly joins five other members of Congress who also died in office over the past 13 months…Rep. Raúl Grijalva…Rep. Sylvester Turner…Rep. Bill Pascrell…Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee…[and] Rep. Donald Payne Jr.” All of these representatives were Democrats and their deaths have chipped away at the close margin between Democrats and Republicans in the House – allowing the Republicans to pass Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” by a single vote. Connolly himself prevailed over AOC in a much-publicized intra-party battle for the Ranking Member seat on the House Oversight committee. It speaks volumes that Connolly was only able to hold onto that seat for a few short months before becoming too sick to stay on. This is of course part and parcel with the recent revelations about Biden's declining mental acuity during his presidency and the efforts to oust David Hogg from the DNC for backing primaries against what he calls “asleep-at-the-wheel” Democrats.9. Speaking of “asleep-at-the-wheel” Democrats, Bloomberg Government reports Senator John Fetterman “didn't attend a single committee hearing in 2025 until…May 8, about a week after an explosive New York Magazine story raised questions about his mental health and dedication to his job.” Fetterman, who represents Pennsylvania on the Commerce, Agriculture, and Homeland Security committees skipped the confirmation hearings for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Budget Director Russ Vought, some of the most high-profile and controversial Trump appointments. Fetterman still has yet to attend a single Agriculture committee hearing in 2025.10. Finally, in more Pennsylvania news, the state held its Democratic primaries this week, yielding mixed results. In Pittsburgh, progressives suffered a setback with the ouster of Mayor Ed Gainey – the first Black mayor of the city. Gainey lost to Allegheny County Controller Corey O'Connor, the son of former Mayor Bob O'Connor, the Hill reports. In Philadelphia however, voters approved three ballot measures – including expanding affordable housing and adding more oversight to the prison system – and reelected for a third term progressive reform District Attorney Larry Krasner, per AP. Krasner has long been a target of conservatives in both parties, but has adroitly maneuvered to maintain his position – and dramatically reduced homicide rates in Philly. The Wall Street Journal reports Philadelphia homicides declined by 34% between 2023 and 2024, part of substantial decline in urban homicides nationwide. Kudos to Krasner.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

Mijal sits down with Rabbi Alex Israel—beloved Tanakh educator, podcaster, and Israeli thought leader—for a sweeping conversation that bridges biblical history with today's geopolitical challenges. Together, Mijal and Rav Alex explore timeless prophetic insights, the dangers of political power, and the enduring call for moral leadership and national unity. If you've ever wondered how ancient Jewish texts might help us make sense of today's dizzying headlines, this episode is for you. Click here for Rav Alex Israel's website, where you can register for a weekly parasha newsletter. Here is a link to Rabbi Israel's Tanakh Podcast.   And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold 

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Daniel Levy, president of the US/Middle East Project, and a former Israeli Government peace negotiator, analyses the latest hostage release as Donald Trump begins visit to Gulf states.

Chapters00:00 - Intro00:21 - Israeli Govt OKs Plan for Full Occupation of Gaza05:38 - Israeli Strikes Kill 51 in Gaza as Another Baby Starves to Death07:49 - Details on Israeli Strike That Launched Boy On Roof in Gaza11:35 - Israel To Use US Military Contractors in New Gaza Aid Scheme13:30 - Israel Launches Major Airstrikes on Yemen16:22 - Trump Administration Is Hiding American Casualties of Yemen War18:33 - US To Transfer Patriot From Israel to Ukraine20:06 - US Launches More Strikes in Somalia's Puntland22:58 - Bill To Impose Major Penalties for Israel Boycott26:49 - National Endowment for Democracy Goes Dark28:45 - US House Passes Series of Anti-China Bills29:57 - RIP: Remembering Edward Lozansky31:03 - Viewpoints/Outro

Send us a textWhat does it really take to win the war of narratives in today's chaotic information battlefield?In this must-watch episode of Israel: State of a Nation, Eylon Levy sits down with David Keyes, former international spokesperson for Prime Minister Netanyahu, for a raw conversation about strategic communications, narrative warfare, and the shocking reality behind Israel's media strategy.

This week on The Jerusalem Post Podcast, Eve Young and Eliav Breuer talk about US President Donald Trump's tariff rollercoaster, Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's visits to Hungary and the US, the High Court of Justice's injunction on the firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and a looming potential constitutional crisis with the return of the judicial reform.In the second part, Tamar Uriel-Beeri interviews Prof. Shimon Shetreet, a legal expert who was a minister in Yitzhak Rabin's government, to expand on the issues and divisiveness of the judicial reform (or "revolution," as he refers to it), and the socio-political implications it has for Israel.

A vast program of public works was initiated by the Israeli Government to provide employment opportunities for the refugee immigrants who were mainly unskilled. Likewise, the Jewish National Fund embarked upon a nationwide forestation project that totally transformed the landscape of the country. After figuring out how to absorb the greatest number of immigrants the world has known, Prime Minister Ben Gurion had to deal with other burning issues such as how to deal with the deeply religious residents of Israel referred to as “Haredim.” Critical attention also had to be devoted how to secure Israel's borders when each neighboring country was hostile and sought Israel's destruction. This resulted in the Army Reserves for every able-bodied soldier. Audio Credits: What Happened to Mizrachi Jews of Arab Countries | The Jewish Story |Unpacked Golda Meir – The Matriarch of Israel Documentary | The People Profiles Transforming Israel's Barren Terrain into Green Forests | Greening Israel The Official Documentary | The Israel Guys Hareidim and the IDF | Center for Israel Education | Whiteboard Video IDF Band - Machar i24 News | Insight – IDF Reservists: Citizen Soldiers Why Don't Ultra Orthodox Jews Serve in the IDF | Today Unpacked Learn more at TellerFromJerusalem.com Don't forget to subscribe, like and share! Let all your friends know that that they too can have a new favorite podcast. © 2025 Media Education Trust llc

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

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

Joel and Lynn Rosenberg are joined by former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid to explore the intense political landscape within Israel. They delve into the recent developments in the hostage deal and what it means for Israel and its government. Yair Lapid expresses his concerns about the lack of a strategic plan for the aftermath and the necessity of completely eradicating Hamas's rule in Gaza. The conversation also touched on the possibility of a neutral party governing Gaza and the influential role that President Trump played in reshaping the hostage deal and the regional dynamics. Additionally, they discuss the potential impact of establishing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and the need for an expanded collaborative effort among nations to address regional threats. Tune in to gain insightful perspectives on these critical issues affecting Israel and its neighbors. (00:02) Israel's Gaza Strategy Debate(05:22) "Sinwar's Death: Unplanned Success"(08:48) Trump's Role in Hostage Release(11:30) Coalition Against Iran's Nuclear Ambitions(15:47) "Israeli Government: Bipartisan Strategy Needed"(18:29) Encouraging Christian-Israeli Diplomatic Relations Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.comMake a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua FundStock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5 Verse of the Day: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 - Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. Prayer Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu and all the leaders of Israel and this epicenter region that they would be filled with wisdom and strength to handle the challenges in this very challenging part of the world. Pray for peace in the Middle East and the success of every effort to encourage stability here in the epicenter. Related Episodes:Analyzing Trump and Netanyahu's Historic Meeting Amidst Gaza Hostage Releases #260Trusting God in Challenging Times #261Breaking Down the Hostage Deal Between Israel and Hamas #253 Links for Reference https://www.inspirationtravel.com/tjahttps://www.joshuafund.com/learn/latest-news/join-us-on-our-alaska-cruise Donate a generous monthly gift to The Joshua Fund to bless Israel and Her Neighbors now and for the long haul. Become an Epicenter Ally today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

     Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, was the spider at the center of a web of DEI & ESG.  Is turning over the Panama Canal part of the deal for putting “woke” policies on slumber?     RFK Jr.'s jaw-dropping flip-flop—calling Israel criticism a “health crisis” while pushing fake pandemics—nothing's off-limits with Trump proposing jailing critics of the Israeli government     Dive into the CDC's decades-long jab scam, Trump's tariff chaos crushing cars and produce, and Canada's threat to unplug America.     Alex Karp's Technological Republic unveils a chilling AI spy state, while Trump sells millionaires tax-free residency and Justin Sun's $75M crypto bribe silences the SEC      Melania's $28M Amazon payout hints at Epstein secrets, and Zelensky's double-dipping rare earths scam caps this wild ride.     Buckle up—this podcast rips the mask off a corrupt technocratic takeover!2:30Panama Canal Goes to the “Moriarty” of ESG: BlackrockLarry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, was the spider at the center of a web of DEI & ESG.  Is turning over the Panama Canal part of the deal for putting “woke” policies on slumber? 20:06RFKj Now Says Criticism of the Israeli Government is a “Public Health” IssueHe had one job — stop the jabs.  But now he's cheerleading a fake measles “pandemic,” pushing jabs, and declaring criticism of a foreign government, Israel, a “public health crisis” worse than the plague. 41:24Trump's Says Jail for Critics of Israeli GovernmentMoney, not English, is the official language of the federal government and Trump is screaming “comply” to colleges were protestors are criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza. He's even banning masks—“NO MASKS!” He says, 5 years after he paid states to mandate them. J.D. Vance just blasted Germany for jailing social media critics of the German government, but Trump's plan is worse: criticize an Israeli politician, and American cops will be kicking down your door! Forget January 6th lessons—Trump's shredding our God-given right to peacefully protest, just like Biden but for different politicians. 48:51From Brady Bunch Laughs to CDC Fear FactoryFrom sitcom innocence to a manufactured panic where nobody even died, this is the CDC's dirty playbook exposed—decades of lies to jab us all, and RFK Jr.'s just the latest puppet! 47:29 LIVE comments from audience 1:10:02Trump's Tariff Tantrum: Executive Overreach Unleashes ChaosTrump is not using tariffs like McKinley, Jackson, and Jefferson.  What IS the reason when his Commerce Secretary says it's likely they'll be rolled back in a few days?What should you stockpile?  Which foods are likely to increase in price?Trump is bolstering WEF puppet Trudeau as even conservatives come together in opposition1:34:55 Cars Crushed, Produce Plundered, and Canada's Ready to Pull the PlugWhat will the economic consequences be and how is Canada reacting to tariffs that aren't targeting an industry but targeting their country?Will USMCA/NAFTA arbitration come into play?1:49:17“Technological Republic”: Alex Karp's Vision for Technocracy He lectures the Democrats (of whom he's always been a part) about the futility of resistance to Musk & DOGE when AI gives full “transparency” to EVERYTHING.  Think about that. 2:05:03 Trump Offers Foreign Millionaires More Freedom Than AmericansAre there 250,000 multi-millionaires willing to buy their way into the USA? What will they get for their money that's NOT allowed for native born Americans? 2:15:26Is Trump's “Bitcoin Reserve” a Private Version of “Fed Now”?“Fed Now” was the Federal Reserve's wholesale version of a CBDC before rolling out a retail “Fed Coin”.  Is Trump's inclusion of XRP, ADA, SOL the first step in a Public/Private POS (Proof of Stake) digital currency? 2:32:38Justin Sun's $75M Bribe Silences SEC in Shocking Corruption ScandalJustin Sun, a 34-year-old Chinese crypto mogul who dropped $75 million into the Trump family's World Liberty Financial (WLF) token scheme—yep, the same guy who ate a $6.2 million duct-taped banana just to flex his wealth2:40:11 Bezos Buys Influence with Trump with $28 MILLION to Melania for Amazon MovieImagine how much money she could make if she told the full story of Jeffrey Epstein along with her involvement and Donald's involvement 2:55:56Zelensky's Ready to Sell Rare Earths — But He ALREADY Did with UK?…would anyone like to buy a bridge in Brooklyn?If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTFor 10% off supplements and books, go to RNCstore.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

     Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, was the spider at the center of a web of DEI & ESG.  Is turning over the Panama Canal part of the deal for putting “woke” policies on slumber?     RFK Jr.'s jaw-dropping flip-flop—calling Israel criticism a “health crisis” while pushing fake pandemics—nothing's off-limits with Trump proposing jailing critics of the Israeli government     Dive into the CDC's decades-long jab scam, Trump's tariff chaos crushing cars and produce, and Canada's threat to unplug America.     Alex Karp's Technological Republic unveils a chilling AI spy state, while Trump sells millionaires tax-free residency and Justin Sun's $75M crypto bribe silences the SEC      Melania's $28M Amazon payout hints at Epstein secrets, and Zelensky's double-dipping rare earths scam caps this wild ride.     Buckle up—this podcast rips the mask off a corrupt technocratic takeover!2:30Panama Canal Goes to the “Moriarty” of ESG: BlackrockLarry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, was the spider at the center of a web of DEI & ESG.  Is turning over the Panama Canal part of the deal for putting “woke” policies on slumber? 20:06RFKj Now Says Criticism of the Israeli Government is a “Public Health” IssueHe had one job — stop the jabs.  But now he's cheerleading a fake measles “pandemic,” pushing jabs, and declaring criticism of a foreign government, Israel, a “public health crisis” worse than the plague. 41:24Trump's Says Jail for Critics of Israeli GovernmentMoney, not English, is the official language of the federal government and Trump is screaming “comply” to colleges were protestors are criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza. He's even banning masks—“NO MASKS!” He says, 5 years after he paid states to mandate them. J.D. Vance just blasted Germany for jailing social media critics of the German government, but Trump's plan is worse: criticize an Israeli politician, and American cops will be kicking down your door! Forget January 6th lessons—Trump's shredding our God-given right to peacefully protest, just like Biden but for different politicians. 48:51From Brady Bunch Laughs to CDC Fear FactoryFrom sitcom innocence to a manufactured panic where nobody even died, this is the CDC's dirty playbook exposed—decades of lies to jab us all, and RFK Jr.'s just the latest puppet! 47:29 LIVE comments from audience 1:10:02Trump's Tariff Tantrum: Executive Overreach Unleashes ChaosTrump is not using tariffs like McKinley, Jackson, and Jefferson.  What IS the reason when his Commerce Secretary says it's likely they'll be rolled back in a few days?What should you stockpile?  Which foods are likely to increase in price?Trump is bolstering WEF puppet Trudeau as even conservatives come together in opposition1:34:55 Cars Crushed, Produce Plundered, and Canada's Ready to Pull the PlugWhat will the economic consequences be and how is Canada reacting to tariffs that aren't targeting an industry but targeting their country?Will USMCA/NAFTA arbitration come into play?1:49:17“Technological Republic”: Alex Karp's Vision for Technocracy He lectures the Democrats (of whom he's always been a part) about the futility of resistance to Musk & DOGE when AI gives full “transparency” to EVERYTHING.  Think about that. 2:05:03 Trump Offers Foreign Millionaires More Freedom Than AmericansAre there 250,000 multi-millionaires willing to buy their way into the USA? What will they get for their money that's NOT allowed for native born Americans? 2:15:26Is Trump's “Bitcoin Reserve” a Private Version of “Fed Now”?“Fed Now” was the Federal Reserve's wholesale version of a CBDC before rolling out a retail “Fed Coin”.  Is Trump's inclusion of XRP, ADA, SOL the first step in a Public/Private POS (Proof of Stake) digital currency? 2:32:38Justin Sun's $75M Bribe Silences SEC in Shocking Corruption ScandalJustin Sun, a 34-year-old Chinese crypto mogul who dropped $75 million into the Trump family's World Liberty Financial (WLF) token scheme—yep, the same guy who ate a $6.2 million duct-taped banana just to flex his wealth2:40:11 Bezos Buys Influence with Trump with $28 MILLION to Melania for Amazon MovieImagine how much money she could make if she told the full story of Jeffrey Epstein along with her involvement and Donald's involvement 2:55:56Zelensky's Ready to Sell Rare Earths — But He ALREADY Did with UK?…would anyone like to buy a bridge in Brooklyn?If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTFor 10% off supplements and books, go to RNCstore.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

We discuss current issue of the Israeli Government paying a heavy price for a few hostages. What would the Halacha say about it? What are the issues? This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 1/22/25.

Israel's cabinet has given its final approval to a Gaza ceasefire deal, despite some ministers' opposition. It will begin on Sunday with a hostage-for-prisoner exchange. Also: The US Supreme Court upholds a ban on TikTok.

The Israeli cabinet is voting on whether to approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.

President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly picked his Homeland Security Secretary and Secretary of State. Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill today - we'll bring you the latest on Senate and House races. Aid agencies say the Israeli Government has missed an aid deadline set by the US. Haiti has suspended all international flights in and out of the capital after two US airlines were hit by gunfire. Plus, a world leader is taking unusual steps to prepare for a Trump presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Voting nationwide has been orderly so far, with scattered issues reported in a small number of polling locations. We'll also hear from voters on both sides of the political aisles in two battleground states. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares some tips on how to manage political differences. Israel's prime minister has fired his defense minister after months of clashes over war and politics. And, we'll tell you which item is flying off store shelves this holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices