Former White House press secretary and MSNBC host Jen Psaki joins the hosts to discuss the intensification of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the US presidential election, and the changing face of the Democratic party. The podcast also reveals the results of an exclusive poll on US attitudes towards Israel and Hamas, highlights a landmark decision by Israel's Supreme Court, and critiques a film for omitting Jews in its marketing material.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has intensified in 2024, causing a somber mood among Israelis and reminding them of the dangerous situation they are in.
The assassination of Salah Hilarouri, a key figure in Hamas's political wing, by the Israeli Defense Forces sends a strong message about their intent to go after Hamas leadership, raising concerns about potential escalation if Hezbollah in Lebanon reacts to this attack.
The recent ruling by Israel's Supreme Court affirming its authority to subject basic laws to judicial review is seen as significant and transformative, signaling a shift in the political landscape and the ongoing judicial battle.
Deep dives
Ongoing war intensifies in 2024
The podcast episode discusses the ongoing war that has intensified in 2024, with Hamas launching rockets over southern and central Israel. The episode highlights that the war has caused a somber mood among Israelis, who are reminded of the dangerous situation they are in.
Assassination of key Hamas figure
The podcast delves into the assassination of Salah Hilarouri, a key figure in Hamas's political wing. The episode explains that this surgical operation by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) sends a strong message that the IDF will go after Hamas leadership. It also raises questions about a potential escalation if Hezbollah in Lebanon reacts to this attack.
Supreme Court ruling on Netanyahu's judicial overhaul
The podcast discusses the recent ruling by the Supreme Court regarding Netanyahu's judicial overhaul. The majority ruling affirms that the court has the authority to subject basic laws in Israel to judicial review. This ruling is seen as significant and transformative, signaling a shift in the judicial battle that had dominated the political landscape before October 7th.
Joe Biden's Support for Israel
Joe Biden swiftly expressed solidarity with Israel and took measures to prevent the conflict from escalating into a larger regional war. The White House is engaged in private conversations and diplomatic efforts, aiming to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the suffering. Biden's unwavering support for Israel is rooted in his long-standing belief in Israel's right to defend itself, while also recognizing the complexity of his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Challenges of Predicting the Impact
The impact of the conflict on Joe Biden's presidency and the upcoming US election is uncertain. Progressive voices within the Democratic Party are calling for a more aggressive stance against Israel, while rising anti-Semitism is also a concern. However, predicting the political consequences is difficult due to the complexity of the situation and the range of factors at play. A potential Trump 2.0 presidency is seen as dangerous due to his disregard for traditional rules, potential misuse of power, and his unwillingness to support democracy and rule of law.
The new year began ominously, with rockets in Israel, an assassination in Beirut and talk of a widening of the war. Yonit and Jonathan discuss all that - along with this year's US presidential election and the changing face of the Democratic party - with former White House press secretary and MSNBC host Jen Psaki. Plus: the results of an exclusive Unholy/Morning Consult poll of US attitudes to Israel and Hamas; Israel's Supreme Court makes a landmark decision; and the new film that wins coveted Unholy awards in both the mensch and chutzpah categories.
UPDATE: Since this episode was recorded, Warner Bros has amended its online synopsis of the movie One Life so that it now refers to the "predominantly Jewish children" rescued by Sir Nicholas Winton.