Navigating Criticism of Israel

Israeli journalist, history teacher, and commentator Haviv Rettig Gur joins Ami Kozak and Michael Weber to break down the real story behind Israel's PR crisis, Trump’s Middle East strategy, and the viral rise of antisemitism in American culture.

We cover everything from:The four major axes of power in the Middle East 🌍Why Trump’s foreign policy worked—and Obama’s didn’t 🧠What Kanye’s new song reveals about American decay 🇺🇸How American Jews are losing the battle of ideas 💬Whether Israel can survive without U.S. support 🇮🇱

Check out Haviv's brand new podcast, here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lM71vn6aMhr3K7Fgytq7J

00:00 - Intro01:51 - Trump’s Middle East Strategy: Genius or Guesswork?02:46 - Saudi Arabia, Iran, and 4D Chess in the Middle East10:48 - Does Trump Intuit the Region Better Than Obama?19:11 - Why the U.S. is Sidelining Israel—and What It Means21:16 - How U.S. Military Aid Helps Israel (Iron Dome & F-35s)24:01 - The Case for Israeli Independence from U.S. Dependency26:24 - Kanye West’s “Heil Hitler” Lyrics and Cultural Rot29:18 - Joe Rogan, Tom Segura, and Playing with Antisemitism30:32 - American Culture’s Obsession with Tearing Things Down33:59 - Are Jews Overreacting, or Is This Pre-Holocaust Germany?38:39 - What’s the Right Response to Kanye’s Antisemitism?41:45 - The Crisis of Community in American Life47:13 - What Counts as “Fair Criticism” of Israel?52:59 - Rise of Christian Antisemitism on the American Right55:11 - Rogan, Ian Carroll, and the Spread of Talmud Blood Libels56:18 - Netanyahu’s Cowardice and PR Incompetence57:11 - Why Biden Pressured Bibi on Rafah—and How It Backfired58:02 - Bibi’s PR Vacuum and the Global Messaging War59:02 - Tribal Loyalty in Likud: Why Bibi Survives62:15 - Jews Must Learn Their Story—Or Let Antisemites Write It63:06 - Why American Jews Are Losing the Narrative66:12 - Where Are Jews From? Ashkenazi Origins Explained70:27 - Final Thoughts: Jewish Community, American Loneliness