Haaretz Podcast 'Israelis have acclimated to a reality that should be unbearable': Joshua Leifer on two years of war
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Oct 4, 2025 Historian and journalist Joshua Leifer explores the profound shifts in Israeli society two years post-October 7, 2023. He highlights the dissonance between right-wing denial and the mainstream's complex grappling with the ongoing conflict. Leifer addresses the impact of protests on democracy and critiques Netanyahu's military rhetoric, discussing its implications for Israel's global standing. He also reflects on his decision to move to Israel, believing that true change requires direct engagement in the realities he's critiquing, amidst a culture wrestling with its identity.
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Acclimation To Ongoing Violence
- Israelis largely accept that Gaza suffering is real but continue daily life regardless.
- Joshua Leifer warns this acclimation to unbearable realities will reshape society over time.
Denial Vs. Disavowal Explained
- Leifer contrasts denial and disavowal to explain political psychology after crises.
- He says the populist right often denies wrongdoing while the mainstream disavows but persists in normal routines.
Keep Protesting To Preserve Democratic Pressure
- Sustain civic protest because it matters for politics and conscience.
- Leifer urges continued public dissent even if imperfect, as it preserves democratic pressure.
