Podcast appearances and mentions of Naftali Bennett

This week Jonathan is in celebratory mode—and no, it's not only because it's the festival of Shavuot, but because his beloved Arsenal finally won the Premier League, sparking a spontaneous tribal gathering of ‘marauding revellers' in North London. Meanwhile, Yonit and Jonathan unpack the volatile situation with Iran, and ask where President Trump's vague threats of a renewed strike are heading. Then, it's wall-to-wall condemnation for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose grotesque 56-second video taunting Gaza flotilla detainees was a nightmare for Israel's defenders especially. And Jonathan describes his visit to the Nova exhibition in London, which offers a powerful, heart-rending glimpse of the human faces of the October 7th massacre and the shocking refusal of much of the world to look directly at what happened on that day. Plus: a musical mensch for the ages. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRENGUF2AAI   ⏱ CHAPTERS: [00:00] Shavuot: Celebrating the Unsung Holiday  [09:20] Iran's Threats and Trump's Unpredictability [17:00] Israeli Politics: Elections and Coalition Dynamics [23:12] Ben-Gvir's Controversial Video: A PR Nightmare for Israel  [29:15] The Political Landscape in Israel [39:02] The Impact of the Nova Exhibition [45:30] Chutzpah and Mench  

Die Regierung des israelischen Premierministers Benjamin Netanjahu steht unter Druck: Ein heftiger Streit über die Wehrpflicht ultraorthodoxer Juden könnte das Land in vorgezogene Neuwahlen führen. Seit dem 7. Oktober fordern viele Israelis, dass auch streng religiöse Männer zum Militärdienst verpflichtet werden – doch genau daran droht Netanjahus Koalition zu zerbrechen. In der 140. Folge von Was jetzt? – Die Woche spricht Moderatorin Dilan Gropengiesser darüber, warum Netanjahu trotz Krise politisch noch lange nicht abgeschrieben ist, wie stark die Opposition um Jair Lapid und Naftali Bennett wirklich ist – und warum Israels Politik heute fast vollständig von Sicherheit, Krieg und nationaler Stärke geprägt wird. Zugeschaltet aus Jerusalem ist die Journalistin und Israelexpertin Gisela Dachs, die an der Hebräischen Universität Jerusalem lehrt. Gemeinsam geht es um die neue Allianz zwischen Bennett und Lapid, Netanjahus Verhältnis zu Donald Trump und die Frage, ob Israel vor einem politischen Umbruch steht – oder vor dem nächsten Comeback Netanjahus.

Reports this weekend indicate that President Trump is “bored” of the Iran ‘excursion.' Iran, meanwhile, seems bent on humiliating him. The White House waited almost a week for a response to its ‘memorandum', which is basically a proposal to start talking about a proposal to end the conflict. Tehran then watered down most of the US demands and added several of its own - including formal dominion of the Strait of Hormuz and reparations. And the US must also grapple with the fact that Israel, its partner in this war, is in no mood for ending it.Trust is becoming a major barrier to ending the war. Can Trump trust the Iranians? Will the Iranians trust Trump? And can either side trust Israel to end the war even if they do? Piers Morgan is joined by former Israeli prime minister and opposition coalition leader Naftali Bennett plus our latest Uncensored panel; Founder of Independent Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff, former British Army Commander Col. Richard Kemp, senior fellow at UCLA International Institute, Benjamin Radd and journalist and author of ‘Irregular Army' Matt Kennard. Then; two weeks ago President Trump accused Kurdish groups of stealing US weapons sent to support Iranian dissidents. The Kurds have also poured cold water on repeated suggestions they could be used as a proxy ground force in the Iran War US-Kurdish relations, though, appear convivial.Last night, the President shared - to millions of followers - an interview praising him as a master dealmaker.Qubad Talibani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, was the man with the warm words. He joins Piers. Cozy Earth: Visit https://www.CozyEarth.com & Use code PIERS for up to 20% off 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. ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As the US and Iran continue talks regarding a permanent deal, Horovitz says the regime feels it has established control over the Strait of Hormuz and views the US as vulnerable. Horovitz discusses the deal-making tendencies of Trump, a way of thinking that ultimately worked in favor of the Hamas hostage deal, but is harder to achieve with the dilemmas in Iran, with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Following Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent comment that former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s decision to include the Islamist Ra’am party in his 2021-2022 government was far worse than the governmental failures tied to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, Horovitz comments on the level of political hostility and the absence of empathy among Netanyahu's government for all the bereaved Israelis and hostage families. Finally, Horovitz reflects on the recent Golders Green stabbing attack, an iteration of the antisemitic attacks happening all over the Jewish diaspora, and how the British government has handled the situation. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US, Iran said closing in on framework for permanent deal, as Trump renews bomb threats Board of Peace won’t hold Israel to truce terms if Hamas doesn’t okay disarmament offer Smotrich: Including Arab party in government ‘a thousand times’ worse than Oct. 7 failures We’re not in the 1930s… yet 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. IMAGE: ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing podcast. (ToI)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Im Westjordanland steigt die Gewalt – und auch die Zahl der dort getöteten Menschen. Die UN warnen Israel vor Kriegsverbrechen. Denn jüdische Siedler greifen immer häufiger Palästinenserinnen und Palästinenser an. Nur warum gerade jetzt? ARD-Korrespondentin Sophie von der Tann reist immer wieder in das Gebiet und nimmt uns in dieser Folge dorthin mit. Sie erzählt uns von den Menschen vor Ort, ihrer Trauer und ihren Ängsten. Und sie erklärt uns, welche Strategie die israelische Regierung gerade in der West Bank verfolgt. Hier findet ihr alle aktuellen News aus dem Westjordanland auf tagesschau.de: https://www.tagesschau.de/thema/westjordanland Hier geht's zu “Buchgefühl”, unserem Podcast-Tipp: https://1.ard.de/buchgefuehl Diese und viele weitere Folgen von 11KM findet ihr überall da, wo es Podcasts gibt, auch hier in ARD Sounds: https://www.ardsounds.de/sendung/11km-der-tagesschau-podcast/urn:ard:show:4549910994dc2464/ An dieser Folge waren beteiligt: Folgenautorin: Charlotte Horn Mitarbeit: Sebastian Schwarzenböck Host: Nadja Mitzkat Produktion: Viktor Fölsner-Veress, Laura Picerno und Lisa Krumme Planung: Nicole Dienemann und Hardy Funk Distribution: Kerstin Ammermann Redaktionsleitung: Yasemin Yüksel und Fumiko Lipp 11KM: der tagesschau-Podcast wird produziert von BR24 und NDR Info. Die redaktionelle Verantwortung für diese Episode liegt beim NDR.

#DTalk #DNEWS24 #MosheZuckermann #Israel #Wahlkampf #Irankrieg Im Oktober soll in Israel ein neues Parlament gewählt werden. Derzeit repräsentieren 10 Parteien die Stimmung der Wahlberechtigten in der Knesset. Welche Chancen haben Naftali Bennett und Jair Lapid bei der Konsolidierung der Opposition? Welche Roll spielen eigentlich die Medien im Heiligen Land?Wie sind Lage und Stimmung in Israel? Fragen an den Historiker Moshe Zuckermann.

War-weary Israelis have clearly tired of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, but it is still uncertain as to whether opposition forces will be able to put aside their wide ideological differences to defeat him in the October election, Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin told the Haaretz Podcast. Scheindlin, a veteran political analyst and strategist, said the recent announcement that Netanyahu challenger and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will join with Yair Lapid – also a former prime minister – is a harbinger of an opposition seeking to run in a united bloc. What is unclear is whether this push for a united opposition is “an extremely sophisticated political strategy based on mathematical calculations, or it's absolutely an arbitrary guess – a finger in the wind.” Lapid and Bennett are joining forces despite the fact that Bennett’s right-wing pro-occupation positions are firmly in line with Netanyahu’s, “minus the corruption and populism,” said Scheindlin, while Lapid supports a two-state solution. Asked if this election is indeed as fateful as it is being framed, Scheindlin replied that in her experience, every election in Israel’s history is expected to “change the course of the country. And every time it was true.” The difference is, she said, that even if Netanyahu is defeated, “Israel has gone so far in the direction of an undemocratic transformation and becoming a permanent expansionist, occupying undemocratic state – it will be much harder to turn the clock back.” Read more: Explained | What to Know About Israel's 2026 Election Analysis by Dahlia Scheindlin | The Problem With Naftali Bennett Far-right Minister Smotrich Says Forming Government With Arab Party Chairman 'Worse Than October 7' Top Israeli Elections Official Resigns, Risking Electoral Integrity Despite the Cascade of Crises, Israeli Politics Remains Stuck Analysis by Dahila Scheindlin | Israel's Biggest Existential Threat Isn't IranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a news update from Ark News Daily. Subscribe here to Ark News Daily In this episode: A leaked report reveals Naftali Bennett privately disparaged his alliance with Yair Lapid as a “strategic mistake,” raising doubts about whether their new joint party can successfully unify the opposition against Netanyahu. An Australian investigation into a deadly Sydney terror attack found authorities failed to act on prior warnings, highlighting a broader pattern of under-resourced prevention and potential Iran-linked threats across Western countries. Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound activist flotilla has sparked a global narrative battle, underscoring the widening gap between accusations against Israel and its efforts to counter them through public diplomacy.

This is a news update from Ark News Daily. Subscribe here to Ark News Daily In this episode: A leaked report reveals Naftali Bennett privately disparaged his alliance with Yair Lapid as a “strategic mistake,” raising doubts about whether their new joint party can successfully unify the opposition against Netanyahu. An Australian investigation into a […]

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. On Sunday, former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced a joint run for this year's Israeli elections. Immediately, polling showed that the combined electoral slate, dubbed “Together,” would win a total of 26 seats if elections were held Monday, placing them ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud as the Knesset’s largest party, according to Channel 12. Later in the week, Opposition Leader Lapid told Bennett that he was willing to take third place, rather than second, on their joint electoral slate if it would help secure a broader merger with Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot. On this week's episode, in the spirit of the newly completed NFL draft, we play fantasy football and weigh the merits of the current parties and politicians vyying for the Knesset in this year's election. And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Haviv Rettig Gur (courtesy) / Green Bay Packers quarterback Taylor Elgersma (19) throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, August 16, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Am 1. Mai stehen die Gewerkschaften im Fokus: Ihre Rolle vor dem Hintergrund sinkender Mitgliedszahlen und politischer Ausrichtung beleuchtet der langjährige IG-Metaller Klaus Ernst. In Israel tritt ein neues Bündnis um Naftali Bennett und Jair Lapid bei den Wahlen im Oktober gegen Benjamin Netanjahu an. Pierre Heumann erklärt die politischen Kräfteverhältnisse und die Auswirkungen der aktuellen Sicherheitslage. Mit einer Zuckersteuer möchte Deutschlands Regierung neue Einnahmen generieren. Die Hintergründe erläutert der Politikwissenschaftler Christoph Lövenich. Unterdessen verliert Deutschland im Pressefreiheitsindex an Boden. Wie aussagekräftig solche Rankings sind, analysiert der Medienunternehmer Dr. Ralf Schneider, Präsident der Vereinigung Europäischer Journalisten.

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back Call me Back on YouTube Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com. ____ Bennett and Lapid unite, but does it change anything?   On Sunday, without any prior warning, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced they're joining forces, launching a new unified party called “Beyachad” — “together.” The move comes months ahead of Israel's October elections, and it immediately raises more questions than answers. What are they really trying to accomplish? Does this strengthen the anti-Netanyahu bloc — or unintentionally weaken it? And what does it mean for Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the other centrist party and is being pressured by Bennett to join him and Lapid? This is already shaping up to be one of the most dramatic election cycles in Israel's history — and one the Jewish diaspora will be watching more closely than ever. In this episode: - Bennett and Lapid's history - Bennett's theory of the race - The role of the war in the elections - Structural strengths and weaknesses of both blocks - Gadi Eisenkot's next move - Avigdor Lieberman's strategy   More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What's Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Bennett and Lapid unite, but does it change anything? On Sunday, without any prior warning, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced they're joining forces, launching a new unified party called “Beyachad” — “together.” The move comes months ahead of Israel's October elections, and it immediately raises more questions than answers. What are they really trying […]

4. HEADLINE: International Scandals and Israel-Ukraine Tensions GUEST: Jonathan Schanzer SUMMARY:Reports suggest Qatar influenced ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to target Israeli leaders while helping suppress misconduct allegations against him. Simultaneously, Ukraine accuses Israel of purchasing stolen grain from occupied territories. Internally, Israeli politics are shifting as Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett unite to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.1900

SCHEDULE OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-28-26.1900 BOSPHORUS1. HEADLINE: Kevin Warsh's Nomination to the Federal Reserve GUEST: Elizabeth Peek SUMMARY: Elizabeth Peek discusses Kevin Warsh's nomination as Federal Reserve Chair, characterizing him as an inflation hawk who intends to revamp the Fed's communication and narrow its mandate. Warsh aims to shrink the $7 trillion balance sheet and divorce the institution from political influence to ensure long-term monetary stability.2. HEADLINE: New York City's E-bike Enforcement Controversy GUEST: Elizabeth Peek SUMMARY: Elizabeth Peek criticizes NYC's decision to replace criminal summonses with civil penalties for e-bike violations. She argues this "virtue signaling" protects undocumented immigrants from deportation at the expense of pedestrian safety. Unregistered, fast-moving bikes frequently ignore traffic rules, and civil penalties are difficult to enforce against those without fixed abodes.3. HEADLINE: The UAE's Strategic Exit from the OPEC Cartel GUEST: Jonathan Schanzer SUMMARY:Jonathan Schanzer explains that the UAE is leaving OPEC to increase oil production, signaling a major rift with Saudi Arabia. This move aims to aid global prices and support Donald Trump's economic agenda. Meanwhile, Iran attempts to link the Straits of Hormuz crisis with Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire negotiations to complicate diplomacy.4. HEADLINE: International Scandals and Israel-Ukraine Tensions GUEST: Jonathan Schanzer SUMMARY:Reports suggest Qatar influenced ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to target Israeli leaders while helping suppress misconduct allegations against him. Simultaneously, Ukraine accuses Israel of purchasing stolen grain from occupied territories. Internally, Israeli politics are shifting as Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett unite to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.5. HEADLINE: The Global Impact of the Iranian Energy Conflict GUEST: Mary Kissel SUMMARY: Mary Kisselhighlights a fertilizer crisis caused by the war in Iran, which threatens global food security, particularly in Africa. She views the UAE's OPEC exit as part of a fundamental regional reshaping. Kissel asserts that the U.S. must maintain the political will to secure waterways and address Iran's nuclear program.6. HEADLINE: Navigating the Rodriguez Transition in Venezuela GUEST: Mary Kissel SUMMARY: Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's provisional president, is traveling to project stability and attract energy investment. While she aims to present herself as a cooperative figurehead, her future depends on U.S. demands for democracy. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado continues to draw massive support and plans to return to Venezuela by year's end.7. HEADLINE: German Economic Stagnation and Strategic Critiques GUEST: Judy Dempsey SUMMARY:Friedrich Merz describes Germany as "humiliated" by Iran due to a lack of clear U.S. strategy. Germany faces its fourth year of stagnant growth and a severe demographic crunch with record-low births. While Merz remains an Atlanticist, he critiques the Trump administration's transactional approach and lack of a strategic exit plan.8. HEADLINE: The Decline of Viktor Orbán and Hungary's Pivot GUEST: Judy Dempsey SUMMARY:Hungary's business elite are moving away from Viktor Orbán as Peter Magyar gains popularity by campaigning against systemic corruption. Magyar focuses on delivering tangible public services like healthcare and infrastructure. Orbán's defeat represents a significant blow to Europe's far-right, including Germany's AfD party.9. HEADLINE: Keir Starmer's Leadership Amidst the Mandelson Scandal GUEST: Joseph SternbergSUMMARY: Joseph Sternberg examines UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's instability following the Mandelsonaffair, a bureaucratic scandal involving improper diplomatic nominations. Despite being under pressure, Starmer likely remains in office because the Labor Party lacks a plausible replacement. The scandal's complexity makes it difficult for ordinary voters to comprehend fully.10. HEADLINE: Kevin Warsh's Vision for a Smaller Federal Reserve GUEST: Joseph Sternberg SUMMARY:Joseph Sternberg describes Kevin Warsh as a policymaker who believes the Fed should "stick to its knitting" by focusing strictly on price stability. Warsh intends to shrink the Fed's balance sheet to reduce its political intrusiveness and scale back "forward guidance". This approach aims to defend the central bank's long-term independence.11. HEADLINE: Historical Precedents for Modern Maritime Chokepoints GUEST: Ziyuan (Emily) WangSUMMARY: Emily Wang explains how the 1936 Montreux Convention established Turkey as a durable gatekeeper for the Turkish Straits, offering lessons for modern conflicts. The treaty balanced the shared tacit interests of opposing powers like Britain and Russia. Its success highlights the importance of legally binding frameworks in managing strategic waterways.12. HEADLINE: Managing Risks in Global Maritime Chokepoints GUEST: Ziyuan (Emily) Wang SUMMARY:Emily Wang analyzes the current threats in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, noting that risk perception and insurance markets are as vital as physical security. She argues that long-term stability requires quantifying tacit interests and maintaining a strong navy to ensure credible gunboat diplomacy against revisionist powers.13. HEADLINE: Pakistan's Emerging Role as a Neutral Diplomatic Site GUEST: Sadanand Dhume SUMMARY:Sadanand Dhume discusses Pakistan's surprising role as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, facilitated by its unique geography and ties to China. Field Marshal Asim Munir leads this effort. A successful resolution could weaken the pernicious ideology of Islamism, reverberating positively throughout the broader Muslim world.14. HEADLINE: Ideological Barriers in Pakistan's Foreign Policy GUEST: Sadanand Dhume SUMMARY:Sadanand Dhume explores Pakistan's deep-rooted hostility toward Israel, which persists despite regional shifts toward normalization. While India views Pakistan's mediation role with envy, Pakistan's military leadership, under Field Marshal Munir, maintains power behind a civilian facade to insulate itself from economic discontent and governance pressures.15. HEADLINE: Al-Qaeda's Massive Military Offensive in Mali GUEST: Caleb Weiss and Bill RoggioSUMMARY: Caleb Weiss and Bill Roggio report on an unprecedented offensive by JNIM, al-Qaeda's West Africanbranch, which has blockaded Mali's capital and seized key military bases. The Malian state and Russian forces are in retreat, leaving behind significant equipment. This operation signals a major failure in intelligence and coordination.16. HEADLINE: The Blueprint for Al-Qaeda's Transnational Expansion GUEST: Caleb Weiss and Bill RoggioSUMMARY: This offensive serves as a blueprint for al-Qaeda to target other Sahalian states like Burkina Faso and Niger. Alarmingly, Ukrainian-supplied drones used by Tuareg rebels have inadvertently aided al-Qaeda's efforts. Bill Roggio emphasizes that al-Qaeda and the Islamic State continue to fight for global dominance across multiple continents.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. On Sunday, former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced a joint run for this year's Israeli elections. Immediately, polling showed that the combined electoral slate, dubbed “Together,” would win a total of 26 seats if elections were held Monday, placing them ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud as the Knesset’s largest party, according to Channel 12. Later in the week, Opposition Leader Lapid told Bennett that he was willing to take third place, rather than second, on their joint electoral slate if it would help secure a broader merger with Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot. On this week's episode, in the spirit of the newly completed NFL draft, we play fantasy football and weigh the merits of the current parties and politicians vyying for the Knesset in this year's election. And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Haviv Rettig Gur (courtesy) / Green Bay Packers quarterback Taylor Elgersma (19) throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, August 16, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first polls published since the formation of the joint list between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid indicates that parties opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will still fall short of a Knesset majority without support from Arab parties – even after the merger. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Dr Gayil Talshir from the Hebrew university's Political Science department. (Photo: Flash 90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy 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. Political correspondents Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmal join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Sokol reports on the Sunday announcement of a joint campaign and list for former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid ahead of the 2026 elections, under Bennett's stewardship. Karmel and Sokol discuss that Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot is not part of the campaign and list, given his own entry into the 2026 race, that his decisions will test the fortunes of the Bennett-Lapid bloc. Members of the Likud party and government coalition reacted to the announcement, reports Sokol, and he and Karmel discuss the possible Likud B breakaway party that would offer an alternative right-wing option. Karmel and Sokol also discuss that the government coalition is dismissive of the Bennett-Lapid merger, reviewing the comments and memes immediately circulated about the two politicians and their announcement. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Launching joint slate, Bennett and Lapid promise ‘the era of division is over’ Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announce united run under Bennett in 2026 elections Bennett-Lapid reunion jolts electoral race, but path to unseating Netanyahu elusive as ever Eisenkot welcomes Bennett-Lapid union but says: To win, we need to bring in more votes Backing public transit on Shabbat, Bennett steers campaign into jammed center lane 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. IMAGE: Political correspondents Ariela Karmel and Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing (ToI)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:An attempt on the life of the president of the United States on Saturday night.The talks scheduled between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States over the weekend didn't happen. A serious exchange of hostilities over the weekend between Israel and Hezbollah over there in the Land of the Cedars.Security services in Israel busted a Hamas financing cell in the West Bank and Gaza.The political pair of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are teaming up again for another run in Israel. FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Roy K. Altman, federal judge and author of the upcoming book, Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

La guerre au Moyen-Orient, et les offensives américaines et israéliennes contre l'Iran et contre le Hezbollah libanais, permettent à Benyamin Netanyahu de repousser son audition devant les juges prévue ce 27 avril, dans son procès pour fraude, abus de confiance et corruption. Deux anciens Premiers ministres israéliens, Naftali Bennett et Yaïr Lapid, ont annoncé vouloir se présenter sur une liste commune pour les prochaines élections législatives en Israël, prévues en octobre. L'analyse de Denis Charbit, professeur de science politique à l'université ouverte d'Israël, auteur de Yitzhak Rabin, la paix assassinée ? Une mémoire morcelée, (éditions JC Lattès), son dernier ouvrage. À lire aussiIsraël: Benyamin Netanyahu demande une grâce présidentielle dans son procès pour corruption

Un séisme politique en préparation.Naftali Bennett et Yair Lapid unissent leurs forces pour 2026 avec un objectif clair : rivaliser avec Benjamin Netanyahu. ➡️ Premiers sondages➡️ Stratégies de coalition➡️ Question explosive : alliance avec les partis arabes ? Décryptage avec Rina Bassist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Der ehemalige israelische Ministerpräsident Naftali Bennett will zusammen mit dem anderen frühreren Regierungschef Jair Lapid gegen Israels Premier Netanjahu antreten. │ Die Waffenruhe zwischen Israel und der Hisbollah im Libanon hält nicht: Beide Seiten greifen weiter an. │ Nachdem die Gespräche zwischen iranischen und US-amerikanischen Vertretern am Wochenende in Pakistan ausgefallen sind, ist der iranische Außenminister Araghtschi nach Russland gereist, um dort mit Präsident Putin zu sprechen. │ Am Wochenende ist es in Mali zu schweren Kämpfen gekommen. Eine Allianz aus Islamisten und Tuareg-Rebellen hat militärische Einrichtungen attackiert und den Verteidigungsminister Malis getötet. │ In Deutschland gibt es immer mehr junge Männer, die den Kriegsdienst verweigern. Die Zahl der Anträge ist erneut gestiegen.

Alliance surprise entre Naftali Bennett et Yair Lapid : une liste commune baptisée « Ensemble » voit le jour. ➡️ Une recomposition majeure du centre israélien➡️ Un face-à-face qui se précise pour les prochaines élections➡️ Un bouleversement total des équilibres politiques

Early on Wednesday morning, as a ceasefire was announced between America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israelis were stuck in their safe rooms and bomb shelters for hours. Iran teed up missiles to target Israel through the night on a staggered schedule, to make a point, I guess. What that meant in reality is that no one in Israel slept and the government instructed that beginning on Thursday, today, life would go back to “normal.” Schools, universities and workplaces would be open. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to hammer northern Israel with rockets, while most Israelis are somewhat shell-shocked. What, exactly, just happened? What gains did America make? Israel? Based on our experience since October 7, and the constant claims of victory, people here are confused. Exhausted. And certainly not clicking their heels.On top of the constant war and dubious outcomes, on the eve of the recent Passover holiday, the Netanyahu government slipped an enormous sum of money to the ultra-orthodox for religious education - in addition to what they have already been allocated. Soldiers? Struggling families? Wounded IDF veterans? Zero for them.And the extreme violence that has continued, unabated, in the West Bank for years now? This government does not seem to be terribly concerned with what can only be described as Jewish terrorism. During the last week, the patience of Israelis was sorely tested. Our regular guest, Ya'akov Katz, is angry, and he does not mince words or thoughts. There is a palpable urgency in Israel to wake up and deal with reality, while it is still possible.Podcast Notes:Op-Ed by Ya'akov Katz, published in The Jerusalem Post, April 3, 2026.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivYaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X. 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

I caught up with Ya'akov Katz on Thursday afternoon, and we got into some very sticky issues that are being talked about in Israel. We are one month into this war with Iran and it is not exactly going as we'd thought it might. Then again, political leadership has been anything but clear in communicating with the Israeli people about war goals, how things are going and where they are going. There's a lot of talk about numbers. Numbers of missile launchers hit, missiles intercepted, targets hit. But the weird part is - the numbers don't add up. And we had a very similar experience with the war on Hamas. Israelis are famously resilient, yes, but they are also worn out after almost three years of constant war. And there is no letup in sight. The population overwhelmingly supports war with Iran if it will degrade the country militarily and, ideally, lead to regime change. But people are beginning to wonder if we will be “back at it” in another six months or a year. Following the June attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, we were led to believe that we had diminished the nuclear and general military threat substantially. Now? There are many questions. This past week there has been a lot of buzz about the U.S. negotiating with Iran…..President Trump says the talks are going very well. Iran denies that there are any talks. The missiles keep coming at us from Iran. The sirens keep wailing. The intercept rate is high but there are always cluster bombs that break up and score direct hits. And we have a terrible shortage of troops in the IDF - but we don't get into that today. I do write about it in the Weekend Wrap - which we drop tomorrow.In this podcast, we just try to sort out what's real and what's, well, not.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivYaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X.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

Most of the world's eyes are on Iran, but Israel is waging a major second front of this war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.More than 1,000 have been killed there and over a million have been displaced from their homes. Defence minister Israel Katz said Israel intends to occupy southern Lebanon and the BBC reports that Israeli forces have been ordered to destroy homes if necessary, using Gaza as a blueprint.Add all of this to Donald Trump's anger over unsanctioned Israeli strikes on Iran's biggest gas field, as well as the US condemnation of settler violence in the West Bank, and the differences in their national interests become very clear.Joining Piers Morgan to discuss is former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, professor at Lebanon's Université Saint-Joseph, journalist at Breakthrough News, Rania Khalek, and The Young Turks' founder Cenk Uygur. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of top security official Ali Larijani, who was taken out in an Israeli airstrike. Tehran has been ramping up attacks on Israel, with two pensioners killed in strikes on central Israel and almost 200 people hospitalized in 24 hours. Naftali Bennett served as Israel's Prime Minister until 2022 and joins the show to discuss what Israel's long term goal is.  Also on today's show: Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Former Iranian diplomat/ Former Iranian nuclear negotiator; Edward Fishman, Author, “Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare”    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SBS Chief Foreign Correspondent in conversation with Israeli opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, Sima Shine from the Institute for National Security Studies and Likud MK, Amit Halevi.

Subscribe now to listen to the entire 25-minute episode (or preview 5 minutes). The regionwide war now engulfing the Greater Middle East has threatened to involve Turkey, after Iranian ballistic missiles headed for the country were successfully intercepted by NATO air defenses. Also, last month, former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett warned that a "new Turkish threat is emerging," accusing Ankara of plotting to encircle Israel with Islamist allies. In this episode, historian Howard Eissenstat explains Turkey's real interests in the war's outcome and why its relationship with Israel is dangerously deteriorating. Howard Eissenstat teaches at St. Lawrence University and the Stockholm University Institute of Turkish Studies (SUITS). Eissenstat's research focuses on the intersection of nationalism, religious identity, and policy in the Turkish Republic.

İkili Görüş'te Dr. Bahadır Çelebi, Araştırmacı-Yazar Dr. Mehmet Akif Koç ile yedinci gününde İran savaşının gidişatını ve "İran'dan sonra sıra Türkiye'de" tartışmasını değerlendiriyor.00:00 Giriş01:40 Uluslararası hukuk çöp oldu; gücü isteğine denk olan yaşadı (mı?)05:50 Faz faz ABD/İsrail-İran çatışmaları: Düşürene kadar vuracaklar11:05 İran'ın (ve Türkiye'nin) nükleer silaha sahip olması gerekiyorSıra Türkiye'de (gelecek, geliyor, geldi bile) söylemine dair16:50 Realist açıdan: Sıradaki Türkiye mi? (ABD'nin her istediğini yapıyor zaten, 'sıra'da değil)38:10 F-35 ve S400 meselelerine dair40:50 Akkuyu Nükleer Santrali meselesi ve konuşturulmayanlar44:10 Madem Türkiye "ABD'nin şemsiye altında" Naftali Bennett neden "Sıra Türkiye'de" diyor?51:00 ABD/İsrail, Türkiye'yi savaşa yanlarında dahil etmek isterse ederler, ekstra çabalamalarına gerek yok52:50 İran Ortadoğu'daki kendisi dışındaki 3 aktörün de ayağına basıp durdu ve...59:10 Mücteba Hamanei meselesi ve nasıl ayetullah olunur? Nasıl hüccetü'l-İslam olunur?01:21: 10 Habib halkası ve İbrahim Reisi'nin ölümü01:27:25 Mehmet Akif Koç'un "Stalin" kitabı çıkıyor; 2026 yazı çizi takvimi nasıl?01:31:20 İran'da rejim içten/dıştan yıkılır mı? (seküler devrim, çok etnili ayaklanma, kara harekatı ve...)01:48:10 İran'ın halihazırdaki silah altındaki personel sayısı 1 milyon civarında; bu ne anlama geliyor?02:00:00 İran'daki katı/ılımlı ayrımı temel konularda değil nüanslarda02:04:00 "Zamanlama manidar" ABD/İsrail neden "şimdi" saldırdı?02:06:30 Mehmet Akif Koç ile otobiyografik mini sohbetDaktilo1984'e daha fazla destek olmak için KATIL üyesi ol:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWyDy24AfZX8ZoHFjm6sJkg/joinBizi Patreon'dan Destekleyin

Map showing one of many waves of missile attacks overnight in Israel:I'm back today with the amazing Ya'akov Katz, a regular commentator on State of Tel Aviv and Beyond. We get into life in wartime, and then cover the key events of the last 24 hours: Hezballah attacks Israel and opens the northern front; Iran continues to slam Israel hard with waves of ballistic missiles; Iran also attacks most countries in the region - which has many scratching their heads. Iranian missile slams into a shelter in Israel; the first mass casualty event. Are our shelters adequate? How long will this go on? Give it a listen.We are making every effort to put out an audio only pod every day during this period. The focus is on getting the information out. Not quality of production. Adn for that reason we are also not doing AV. For one thing, we're all looking a little haggard. But it just takes more time to edit AV and time, in my view, is of the essence. Please consider supporting our work. State of Tel Aviv and Beyond is independent and we rely on you, our subscribers, to put gas in our tank.Especially at a time like this. We are going flat out. We will be publishing longer dispatches which will be available in full to premium subscribers only. You can either subscribe on our site - www.stateoftelaviv.com……just follow the prompts from the SUBSCRIBE tab.Or - make a contribution to Buy Me a Coffee……Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X. 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

Following the US-Israeli attack on Iran, the Ayatollah is dead - and nobody should mourn a murderous dictator who presided for decades over state-sponsored terrorism across the world. But we don't know if his replacement will be as bad - or worse. Donald Trump says Iranian dissidents should take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sweep into power. But how? The President says the war should last four weeks. But as Iranian bombs rain down on Gulf states who did not want a war, we don't know if it can be contained. Trump's legacy will now be defined by what happens next, just as Tony Blair and George W Bush are defined by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A free and democratic Iran, allied with the West, would be an outcome that eclipses any of Trump's domestic failures or successes. But the same thing applies with equal menace to a regime change that goes the way of US-led regime changes in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and elsewhere. Piers Morgan speaks to former Vice President Mike Pence about the conflict in the Middle East as well as former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett. He's also joined by his panel; The Young Turks Ana Kasparian, System Update host Glenn Greenwald, retired lieutenant colonel and IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus, former general and US assistant secretary of state Mark Kimmitt and former Canadian lawmaker and Iranian activist Goldie Ghamari. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is Yaakov Katz, a journalist, author, and senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. His newest book, co-authored with Amir Bohbot, is While Israel Slept – How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East. In this episode, Alon and Yaakov discuss Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza and the “Trump factor” that has emerged in the peacemaking process; the need for a political, not just military, process in finding an end to the Gaza war and ultimately the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; how to bring both peoples back toward a mindset where peace could be possible; and the lack of leadership on both sides in being willing to make concessions to make real change possible. Full bio Yaakov Katz is an author, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute & the co-founder of MEAD, the premier Middle East-America policy forum. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to serve as a columnist. Yaakov also writes for the Jewish Chronicle, is the host of the JPPI podcast & appears regularly on CNN and BBC as an Israel analyst. Yaakov's newest book (co-authored with Amir Bohbot) “While Israel Slept – How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East” is a national bestseller in the US. His previous three books are “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards - How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War”. Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs. Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University and spent a year as a fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Barak Herscowitz, an Israeli political commentator and former aide to Naftali Bennett. They discuss the reasons why Barak left the Likud party, his experience working with Bennett in the prime minister's office, the chances of Bennett defeating Netanyahu in this year's Israeli election, the anti-Israel bias that led him to quit working at TikTok, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

It's that time of year, when we reflect on what has gone down for the last 12 months and dare to look at ahead at what may be in store. State of Tel Aviv and Beyond regular commentator, Ya'akov Katz, joins me to attempt the impossible; try to understand what had happened in Israel and what may be coming at us. We focus on the big picture; in particular, why Israelis are so divided and what may address these rifts going forward. A crisis of trust and values afflicts this country. But the difference with Israel from most other countries is that we exist on a knife edge. In a flash, on October 7, 2023, we went from being a strong, regional power to a nation attacked by a terrorist group that had become a well-oiled, armed, and disciplined military force. Since then Israel has regained its military footing, somewhat, but is a country more deeply divided than ever. And the vested political interests seem to be determined to keep it that way. We discuss some of the more spectacular political scandals and the increasingly illiberal conduct by members of the coalition government. This is an election year in Israel. Ya'akov and I agree that the future of Israel will turn on the outcome of this election….that is….if it even happens.Reminder: Until midnight on December 31 (EST), our subscription special offer of $45 for one year is in place. On January 1, subscription rates go up and most of our content will be available to premium subscribers only. Please consider supporting our work. State of Tel Aviv is an independent enterprise. We depend on subscriber support to operate.Happy new year to all.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes* Podcast on State of Tel Aviv and Beyond, discussing issues raised in this discussion with Ya'akov Katz.* Column by Ya'akov Katz published in Jerusalem Post, Friday, December 26, 2025.Blurred loyalties in PMO are a danger Israel cannot ignoreAfter watching the three-part interview with Eli Feldstein, one of the central figures in the leak of classified intelligence documents to BILD and the broader Qatargate affair, a few things become clear.First, Feldstein is a deeply problematic character. Second, these interviews were clearly intended to rehabilitate his image ahead of a looming court case. And third, his central argument is simple: he portrays himself as a pawn, knowingly or unknowingly manipulated by more powerful figures operating in the prime minister's inner circle - including Prime Minister's Office adviser Jonathan Urich, former Likud campaign strategist Srulik Einhorn, and ultimately allegedly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself.Some of what Feldstein says is hard to swallow. His attempt to cast himself as a passive bystander in one of the most serious national security scandals in years is not easy to believe. And yet, it is equally impossible to simply dismiss everything he says out of hand. That tension alone should set off alarm bells.Because when allegations are this severe, and when they touch the very nerve center of Israeli decision-making, silence is not an option. Shrugging it off as spin by a defendant trying to save himself is simply reckless.This leads to one unavoidable conclusion: Israel must conduct a serious, deep, and independent investigation into what happened here. Not only into the leaks themselves, but into how three people operating at the heart of the Prime Minister's Office ended up working - whether knowingly or not - in the service of Qatar.This is not a marginal scandal. It hits at the core of our national security and the public's trust in its government. If foreign interests penetrated the PMO, even indirectly, the implications are staggering. And if they did not, then the public deserves to know that as well. Either way, the truth must be reached.There is also a broader lesson that cannot be ignored. Israel urgently needs clear rules and hard red lines. An adviser to the prime minister cannot be allowed to simultaneously serve other clients. The notion that someone can advise Israel's most powerful decision-maker while also consulting for foreign governments, multinational corporations, or even tech companies is dangerous.This principle must apply to the current prime minister and to anyone else who aspires to the job. Public service at this level cannot coexist with private interests. National security does not allow for blurred lines.Without accountability, there can be no leadershipAccountability is famously a word in English that does not have a direct translation into Hebrew. There are phrases that attempt to approximate it, but none that fully capture its meaning – an obligation to accept responsibility, to answer for decisions that are made, and to face their consequences.That absence of the word is not merely linguistic. It reflects something deeper about Israeli political culture and what has become a constant in the country: Try to avoid responsibility, deflect blame, and do everything to remain in power.That deficiency helps explain more than the current debate over a commission of inquiry. It also explains something no less disturbing: how, despite the scale of the failures of October 7 and the war that followed, Israeli politics are almost exactly the same as they were before.The same figures are once again vying for power ahead of the elections that will be held in the second half of 2026. The same names are in the polls, from the politicians currently in the Knesset to those who were there just a couple of years ago.It would have been natural to think that, in the aftermath of the greatest disaster in our national history, new leadership would have already emerged. Someone – or even multiple people – would be electrifying the country, showing that things can be done differently and that there are alternatives to the current cadre leading us now or vying to lead us in the future.But there aren't, and this is striking. Israel is a country known for its innovation, creativity, and courage. It produces world-class entrepreneurs, military commanders, scientists, and civil-society leaders. Yet when it comes to politics, the system seems stuck.Even the party that claims to represent the reservists who fought in Gaza and Lebanon over the last two years – a movement that should carry one of the most morally compelling voices today – is being led by a former failed politician. Not a new figure, but by someone from the same old political class.The reason this is the case, I believe, is because systems that avoid accountability also suppress renewal. When failure carries no real consequences and leaders do not step aside, those watching from the outside are taught a clear lesson: Politics is not a path to service, but rather a place where staying on the wheel and in the game come first. It is less about what you do and more about how long you can be there.It is through this lens that the Knesset vote on Wednesday must be understood. The legislation advanced this week, aimed at giving the government the ability to establish a commission of inquiry and appoint its members, stands in stark contrast to a state commission of inquiry – Israel's highest investigative authority – whose composition is determined independently by the judiciary.Both options are flawed and will be rejected by about half of the people. If the state commission is appointed, the half that does not trust the Supreme Court will not believe a word that the commission writes. If the government-appointed committee moves ahead, the same will happen, just from the other side. Either way, to some extent, Israel is stuck – there is no perfect option.But beyond the numbers of who supports what, something even more basic is at stake and should be the determining factor.Anyone detained by the police does not get to choose the detectives handling the case. When citizens appear before a zoning or planning commission, they do not get to select the panel that will hear their appeal. When people go to court, they do not get to decide who the judges will be.In every functioning system, this principle is non-negotiable. The moment a suspect chooses the investigator, the investigation ceases to be credible.Yet in this case, we are being told that the same ministers who failed in the years leading up to October 7 – and on October 7 itself – should determine who will investigate those failures. In what world does this make sense? And in what reality does this lead to accountability? It doesn't. With such a commission, there is only one result – evading responsibility.Israelis deserve to know what went wrong before and on October 7. Not for political gain, and not for revenge, but to ensure that such a catastrophe never happens again. Accountability is not about settling scores. It is about learning, correcting, and preventing.And we already have a clear indication of how a politically appointed commission would function.All one had to do was listen to the first meeting of the committee tasked with appointing it. Instead of focusing on decisions taken in the years leading up to the war, the discussion immediately drifted backwards – to the Oslo Accords, to the disengagement from Gaza. Other MKs spoke of the need to investigate the judiciary and the attorney general.Was there any serious discussion of the policy of containment crafted by the prime minister and adopted by successive governments? Any real reckoning with the Qatari cash transferred to Gaza with the approval of all prime ministers over the last seven years? Any willingness to examine decisions made at the highest political level within this government?Of course not.And that brings us back to the absence of renewal. When accountability is avoided, truth is delayed. When truth is delayed, leaders cling to power. And when leaders never step aside, new leadership cannot emerge.The choice facing Israel, therefore, is not just technical and about what model of inquiry we should adopt. It is between two different approaches to power.One seeks to uncover the truth, however uncomfortable it may be, with the purpose of rebuilding. The other is designed to protect those in power from the consequences of their own decisions.After October 7, Israel does not need another round of blame or the re-litigation of historical events with, at best, tangential relevance to October 7. The country needs a reckoning rooted in independence and integrity. It needs accountability – precisely the one thing that cannot be obtained by those who fear it most.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X.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

In this episode, Daniel J. Levy speaks with Jonathan Javor as they look ahead to the 2026 Knesset election. Javor who broadly reflects a right-wing perspective explains how Israeli politics has shifted towards the right and examines the electoral challenges facing Likud and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The conversation also reviews the role of the ultra-Orthodox, the prospects for Naftali Bennett and how security, identity, and coalition considerations are shaping Israeli politics. Jonathan Javor is a political consultant specialising in campaign strategy and management. He has worked in politics and consultancy for over fifteen years and has consulted many senior politicians both in Israel and abroad, including Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Distinguished RAND Israel Policy Chair Shira Efron to hand out Israel Policy Pod's end-of-year awards and make predictions for 2026. The trio discuss the key events and biggest surprises of a momentous 2025—including the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal, the Iran war, and Israeli politics—as well as the biggest winners and losers of the past 12 months. They look ahead to assess what will happen next in Gaza and Iran, the fate of Netanyahu's pardon request, Naftali Bennett's political prospects, when exactly a new Israeli election will be held, and more.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is keeping up the pressure, sending a letter a few days ago to President Herzog, requesting a pardon for the crimes he's been charged with and facing a trial. At this critical time, he wrote to Herzog, it is essential that he be free to focus all his time on managing the country in a state of never-ending crisis. Surprisingly (to me), STLV regular guest sees merit in granting Netanyahu a pardon and he explains why. This issue is so complex, and we will be speaking with people in the coming weeks about how this should be handled.But first, we dig into the announcement this morning from the Prime Minister's Office of his new pick for the head of Mossad, Israel's storied spy agency. Current chief, David Barnea, ends his term in June, 2026 and Netanyahu has decided to replace him with a career army man who had has very little exposure to the business of Mossad. Since the announcement this morning, the pundit class has been less than enthusiastic about Bibi's pick, if only because he lacks experience in spycraft and so much is at stake. Mossad is a much larger and more complex organization than it was even five years ago. Following a string of successes under Barnea's leadership, the decision to snub internal promotions (favored by Barnea) will likely not be well-received in the ranks. Ya'akov is of the view that there is a less than noble reason for Netanyahu to bring someone in from outside the agency. The machinations never stop…Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes:“Crisply written... draws on excellent sources within Israel's military and intelligence services.” —The Wall Street JournalA powerful indictment of the political and military decisions that led to October 7While Israel Slept tells the gripping inside story of how Hamas, Israel's weakest enemy, succeeded in launching a surprise attack on one of the world's most powerful militaries. Through a detailed examination of the events leading up to October 7, 2023, the book exposes the intelligence and strategic failures that enabled this devastating invasion. It takes readers back in time, showing how years of complacency, mistaken intelligence analysis, and a misguided policy of containment enabled Hamas to prepare for an assault that Israel did not believe was possible and that would change the Middle East.The book unveils the dramatic events of the night before the attack, highlighting the cracks in Israel's military and political leadership. It provides unprecedented details on how key warnings were missed, and how Israel ignored the growing threat from Hamas, believing that the group was weak and deterred. By exposing these failures, While Israel Slept offers a stark, sobering account of how overconfidence and complacency paved the way for disaster, while underscoring the critical lessons Israel must embrace to safeguard its future.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X. 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

It's wonderful to have Ya'akov Katz, our regular podcast guest and military/political expert - to help us untangle the the latest knots. Almost two months after the ceasefire brokered by America between Israel and Hamas was finalized, some key issues are “stuck”, as Ya'akov puts it. The terror organization continues to hold power in about 50% of the Strip and has stated repeatedly that it will neither lay down arms nor relinquish control. These are two primary terms of the 20-point Trump Peace Plan. They still hold the bodies of two hostages murdered on October 7, in spite of another threshold term: that all hostages - living and dead - be returned. These conditions must be satisfied before the more ambitious aspects of the plan are undertaken in any serious way; like rebuilding the enclave and restoring a semblance of normal life to the 2.1-million Palestinians living there. Ya'akov and I get into why things are bogged down and if and how new momentum will set in.And, we discuss the open tension between Israel's Minister of Defense, Yisrael Katz, and the IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir. Katz is interfering with all manner of decisions that Zamir believes are within his purview, solely, as Chief of Staff. At a certain point, a meddlesome minister risks politicizing the IDF and alienating its leadership. Israel is in a never-ending crisis and a significant part of that stems from the lack of readiness on the part of both the government and the IDF on October 7. Restoring confidence in the ranks requires a Chief of Staff who is respected by the political echelon. We discuss how, where and why Minister Katz is overstepping - in the view of the IDF Chief - and how critical it is that this tension be resolved. ASAP.Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes:“Crisply written... draws on excellent sources within Israel's military and intelligence services.” —The Wall Street JournalA powerful indictment of the political and military decisions that led to October 7While Israel Slept tells the gripping inside story of how Hamas, Israel's weakest enemy, succeeded in launching a surprise attack on one of the world's most powerful militaries. Through a detailed examination of the events leading up to October 7, 2023, the book exposes the intelligence and strategic failures that enabled this devastating invasion. It takes readers back in time, showing how years of complacency, mistaken intelligence analysis, and a misguided policy of containment enabled Hamas to prepare for an assault that Israel did not believe was possible and that would change the Middle East.The book unveils the dramatic events of the night before the attack, highlighting the cracks in Israel's military and political leadership. It provides unprecedented details on how key warnings were missed, and how Israel ignored the growing threat from Hamas, believing that the group was weak and deterred. By exposing these failures, While Israel Slept offers a stark, sobering account of how overconfidence and complacency paved the way for disaster, while underscoring the critical lessons Israel must embrace to safeguard its future.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora 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.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X. 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

Atualizações Gaza e Líbano. Investigações internas. Naftali Bennett.

[00:18:26] Rich Lowry   [00:36:50] Naftali Bennett   [00:55:13] Mike Rowe & Jim Farley   [01:06:26] Sec. Scott Bessent   [01:13:38] Michael Whatley   [01:32:02] Dr. Marc Siegel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ya'akov Katz is back in Israel following a two-week book promotion tour in the U.S. See the information below. It is a beautifully written, incisive analysis of what went wrong on October 6 and 7. A page turner.It was great to have him on the podcast to take a close look at what is going on in the Gaza Strip - and what is not happening. It is almost one month since the Trump Peace Plan was signed and hope was high. Less so in Israel, perhaps, where so many weak spots were apparent. But it was something. And the first phase ensured that all living hostages would be released within days of signing. That alone was so important to the majority of Israelis. Incredibly, they did come out on Monday, October 13, after two years in captivity. A miracle that many thought would never come to pass. But then the chicanery began. Hamas has been dragging out the return of bodies of the hostages murdered in captivity. Why? Each day buys them time; to re-arm and regroup. And that is exactly what they are doing. Hamas controls approximately 50% of the Gaza Strip now and has no intention of relinquishing power or surrendering arms. They never did. They are brutalizing the people under their control and also conducting ambushes of IDF soldiers in the area that is controlled by Israel. The situation is volatile and operations are somewhat stalled. Just who will disarm Hamas remains unclear. And this is what Ya'akov Katz and I discuss today. Whereto from here?Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes:“Crisply written... draws on excellent sources within Israel's military and intelligence services.” —The Wall Street JournalA powerful indictment of the political and military decisions that led to October 7While Israel Slept tells the gripping inside story of how Hamas, Israel's weakest enemy, succeeded in launching a surprise attack on one of the world's most powerful militaries. Through a detailed examination of the events leading up to October 7, 2023, the book exposes the intelligence and strategic failures that enabled this devastating invasion. It takes readers back in time, showing how years of complacency, mistaken intelligence analysis, and a misguided policy of containment enabled Hamas to prepare for an assault that Israel did not believe was possible and that would change the Middle East.The book unveils the dramatic events of the night before the attack, highlighting the cracks in Israel's military and political leadership. It provides unprecedented details on how key warnings were missed, and how Israel ignored the growing threat from Hamas, believing that the group was weak and deterred. By exposing these failures, While Israel Slept offers a stark, sobering account of how overconfidence and complacency paved the way for disaster, while underscoring the critical lessons Israel must embrace to safeguard its future.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X.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

On October 7, 2023, exactly two years ago, an unimaginable horror overtook southern Israel. We all recall when we found out. The shock. Disbelief. Which only intensified with time.And the unanswered questions. So. Many questions.It seemed appropriate to publish this podcast today. In this episode, Ya'akov Katz, a regular guest on State of Tel Aviv and Beyond, discusses a book he has co-authored with Amir Bohbot; an expose that looks at the damning evidence and records of what happened. And what, tragically, did not. Where was the army? Air Force? What took so long for help to arrive as Hamas was slaughtering its way through southern Israel, unimpeded? Why? How?Amir and Ya'akov had been working on a different book when October 7 happened, and they quickly pivoted. Both have extensive backgrounds in military affairs and related fields which they bring to bear in this daunting project. The book is superb. Truly - a page turner. Published on September 2, it has already made one or two bestseller lists in the U.S. Most importantly, it begins a long-awaited examination of facts. Some of which are discussed publicly here for the first time. In this episode, Ya'akov discusses the failure of every critical security, intelligence, and political institution to interpret the information available to prevent one of the greatest disasters in Jewish history.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes:“Crisply written... draws on excellent sources within Israel's military and intelligence services.” —The Wall Street JournalA powerful indictment of the political and military decisions that led to October 7While Israel Slept tells the gripping inside story of how Hamas, Israel's weakest enemy, succeeded in launching a surprise attack on one of the world's most powerful militaries. Through a detailed examination of the events leading up to October 7, 2023, the book exposes the intelligence and strategic failures that enabled this devastating invasion. It takes readers back in time, showing how years of complacency, mistaken intelligence analysis, and a misguided policy of containment enabled Hamas to prepare for an assault that Israel did not believe was possible and that would change the Middle East.The book unveils the dramatic events of the night before the attack, highlighting the cracks in Israel's military and political leadership. It provides unprecedented details on how key warnings were missed, and how Israel ignored the growing threat from Hamas, believing that the group was weak and deterred. By exposing these failures, While Israel Slept offers a stark, sobering account of how overconfidence and complacency paved the way for disaster, while underscoring the critical lessons Israel must embrace to safeguard its future.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X.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

Naftali Bennett is an Israeli politician, entrepreneur, and former Prime Minister (2021–2022), known for his strong security stance and role in forming Israel's unity government. Triggernometry is proudly independent. Thanks to the sponsors below for making that possible: - GiveSendGo - the free speech crowdfunding platform http://givesendgo.com/triggerpod. - Augusta Precious Metals: Protect Your Retirement with Physical Gold. Rated #1. Click to learn more: https://bit.ly/triggergold - Cape - America's privacy-first mobile carrier. Click https://cape.co/trigger - Promo Code: TRIGGER33 for 33% off Join our exclusive TRIGGERnometry community on Substack! https://triggernometry.substack.com/ OR Support TRIGGERnometry Here: Bitcoin: bc1qm6vvhduc6s3rvy8u76sllmrfpynfv94qw8p8d5 Shop Merch here - https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/shop/ Advertise on TRIGGERnometry: marketing@triggerpod.co.uk Find TRIGGERnometry on Social Media: https://twitter.com/triggerpod https://www.facebook.com/triggerpod/ https://www.instagram.com/triggerpod/ About TRIGGERnometry: Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians. 00:00 - Introduction 01:43 - Addressing Recent Events 04:16 - This War Should Have Been Over In Six Months 12:15 - How Much Of This Is To Do With Politics And How Much Is Religion? 16:22 - Explaining Why Palestine Shouldn't Be Its Own State 27:10 - Do The People In Gaza Support Hamas Or Are They Innocent? 37:09 - Radicalisation And Increased Anti-Semitism Worldwide The Longer The War Goes On 46:03 - Why Is Israel So Important To America, The UK And The West In General? 55:33 - When This War Ends Is There A Possibility Of Lasting Peace? 01:03:53 - How Likely Is It Now That Israel Will Get The Hostages Back? 01:07:44 - What's The One Thing We're Not Talking About That We Really Should Be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter with Joel and Lynn Rosenberg, where we explore the significant issues affecting Israel and its neighbors. In this episode, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sits down with Joel for a frank discussion about the future of Israeli leadership, prospects for peace with Saudi Arabia, and his opposition to a Palestinian state. They also address the divisions within Israeli society, the role of faith and military service, and the unique partnership between Israel and the evangelical Christian community. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights on politics, peace, and the power of prayer in the epicenter of world events. (00:02) "Inside the Epicenter: Naftali Bennett"(04:24) Saudi-Israel Peace Prospects Dimmed?(06:20) Saudi Stance on Palestinian State(11:57) Religious Duty and National Service(14:31) Engaging with Evangelical Christians(19:33) Bias in Journalism on Leaders(21:19) Middle East Insights with Naftali Bennett 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: 2 Timothy 2:1-2. I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Praying for Israel and her neighbors, that the gospel may continue to spread and people may come to know Jesus, the Messiah. Pray with us for the release of the hostages who are still being held in the tunnels of Gaza. And pray for the leaders of the world, especially the leaders of the epicenter, that they would make wise decisions for their people and for their region. Related Episodes:Weekend Edition: Jeff Myers on Why Christians Should Support IsraelWeekend Edition: Dr. Hormoz Shariat on What’s Next for IranJoel at Refuge Church Pt.4 Praying for Gaza and Israel: Faith and Prophecy in the Epicenter #307Ambassador Mike Huckabee - Perspectives on The Future of US-Israel Relations #302 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.

Tuesday, July 26 I embedded with the IDF to see the newly built humanitarian aid distribution center being built on the outskirts of Rafah, abutting the border with Egypt. As the Netanyahu government prepares for a major IDF operation on Gaza City in the coming weeks it also anticipates that humanitarian distress will soar. Civilians will be displaced from the Gaza City area to the humanitarian zone in Al Muwasi, near Rafah. IDF International Spokesman, Nadav Shoshani, travelled with a small group of western journalists to see the facility and explain how it will implement the lessons learned from the war to date. The center will be close to civilians, operate 24/7 and it will only take ten minutes to walk there and retrieve food aid quickly. That's the plan. We show you footage of the total devastation of the Rafah area - taken from the armed convoy in which we travelled. A short interview with Lt Col Shoshani is followed by a discussion with State of Tel Aviv regular and friend, Ya'akov Katz, about the political and military issues complicating the Gaza op.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivYaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X @yaakovkatzState 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

On Saturday evening a five minute video of Hamas hostage Evyatar David, a 24-year-old music lover kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival, was released for publication by his family. A second video of hostage Rom Braslavski was released soon after. These young men have been starved for 22 months. Held in dark, filthy, airless tunnels. Tortured. Humiliated. We know much from hostages who had been held with them and were released in the last hostage deal in the winter. In the ensuing months their condition has deteriorated alarmingly and medical assessments give them a few weeks, days, perhaps hours, to live. State of Tel Aviv regular guest, Ya'akov Katz, joined me today on short notice to try to understand the impact of this harrowing footage on the Israeli population and the urgency - on so many levels - for the war to end and the hostages brought home. Since we recorded this afternoon, we have learned that the Cabinet is, incomprehensibly, nearing a decision to ramp up the war on Gaza and occupy much of the Strip. At this point nothing is confirmed, the hostages are dying and the moral fiber and cohesiveness of Israel is being put to an extreme test. Our conversation today is tough but important. And I wanted those not living here to understand how tormented most Israelis are. Not just by the hostages plight but also by the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivState of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Podcast NotesYaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X Yaakov Katz 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

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks to former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett about why the government of Iran is a house of cards that could collapse at any moment; his time as Israeli Prime Minister; leading a diverse unity government of right, left, religious, secular, and Arab parties; the need for political unity in Israel and globally; confronting Iran through sanctions and supporting opposition movements; boosting Israel's economy through tech and innovation; integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the workforce; promoting regional alliances and international diplomacy; and calling for moderate, pragmatic leadership to secure Israel's future; and much more.

In the early hours of Friday morning, Israel pulled off a historic strike on Iran. As I record these lines, Iran is reporting a “massive explosion” in Isfahan, in a province that is home to several nuclear facilities. In Israel, where Shabbat has begun, the government has ordered all synagogues to shut down—and for citizens to remain close to bomb shelters as they brace for a retaliatory strike. It is hard to overstate the magnitude of this operation. Israel has taken out much of Iran's military leadership and some of its top nuclear scientists and hit nuclear facilities across the country. And it is still going. Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to do whatever it takes in order to prevent a nuclear holocaust. Meanwhile, the X account for Iran's military  has threatened that “our response will be lethal.” And the country's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has tweeted: “The Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.” Donald Trump, for his part, is using this as an opening to push Iran into a nuclear deal. This is a historic juncture for the region—not just for the state of Israel, but for the West. So last night, just as the news of these attacks broke, I sat down with former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett to discuss all of it: the strikes, what they accomplished, how Israel defied conventional wisdom and seemed to pull off the impossible, what we can expect in the days ahead, and—perhaps most importantly to many of our listeners—whether or not America is supporting Israel in its efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices