Call Me Back - with Dan Senor PART 1: What Will Be Israel's Next Big Story? - with Donniel Hartman & Yossi Klein Halevi
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Nov 13, 2025 
Join journalist Yossi Klein Halevi and Rabbi Donniel Hartman, leaders at the Shalom Hartman Institute, as they explore the evolving narratives of Israel. They discuss the historical unifying commitments and the failures of Zionism to create a cohesive identity. Five competing stories—liberal democracy, security, and more—battle for dominance. They also dive into the decline of the Likud's mainstream role and the fading two-state debate. Tune in for insights on crafting a new national story and the hopeful signs emerging in Israeli society.
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Foundations Of Israel's National Story
- Israel's early national consensus rested on two pillars: ingathering of exiles and national defense.
- Successive ideological projects (labor, religious Zionism) attempted to redefine Israeliness but alienated large swaths of society.
Not Two Sides But Five Stories
- Israeli polarization isn't two-sided but fivefold, with distinct competing national stories.
- These narratives (liberal democracy, security, messianism, ultra-Orthodox, Arab citizens) fragment political cohesion.
Mainstream Is Shakier Than It Appears
- A 60% Israeli-Jewish mainstream still exists but is weakened and fragmented after recent years.
- The Likud's shift toward illiberal nationalism has eroded the classic centrist-right anchor of that mainstream.
