Rivky Stern, a producer at Open Door Media, shares a deeply personal account of life in Israel amid escalating conflict with Iran. She discusses the emotional toll of living under the constant threat of rockets with her young family. The conversation shifts to Israel's bold 1981 bombing of Iraq's nuclear reactor, examining Prime Minister Menachem Begin's strategic decisions and the moral complexities behind the Begin Doctrine. This powerful episode intertwines contemporary struggles with historical narratives, emphasizing empathy and resilience in times of conflict.
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Rivky's Personal War Experience
Rivky Stern shares her firsthand experience of sudden war in Israel with her family, describing the trauma and challenges.
She highlights the emotional toll and unpredictability of living under constant rocket threat.
insights INSIGHT
Radical Empathy for All
Empathy must extend to all people involved in Israel's story, including Israeli citizens and those very different from us.
Understanding diverse perspectives builds radical empathy and deeper comprehension of complex conflicts.
insights INSIGHT
Begin's Courageous Decision
Begin authorized a daring strike on Iraq's nuclear reactor to stop a deadly threat despite massive risks.
The success of Operation Opera shaped Israel's security doctrine for decades.
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The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations
Ronen Bergman
This book provides a detailed account of Israel's targeted killing programs, from the early days of the state to the present. Bergman, through extensive interviews with over a thousand state officials and access to thousands of classified documents, reveals the intricacies of Israel's intelligence community and armed services. The book explores the historical context, operational details, and moral dilemmas associated with these programs, including the assassination of key figures from Hamas, Hezbollah, the PLO, and Iranian nuclear scientists. It also discusses the broader impact on Israeli statecraft and international relations[2][3][6].
The prime minister
Anthony Trollope
The Prime Minister, the fifth novel in Anthony Trollope's Palliser series, delves into the intricacies of British politics and societal norms of the Victorian era. The story centers around Plantagenet Palliser, the Duke of Omnium, who reluctantly accepts the role of Prime Minister in a coalition government. The novel highlights his struggles with the demands of high office and his inflexible nature. A significant subplot involves Ferdinand Lopez, a financially troubled and morally dubious speculator who marries Emily Wharton against her father's wishes. Lopez's ambitions and financial misadventures lead to a tragic conclusion, while Emily eventually finds happiness with Arthur Fletcher. The novel also explores themes of political expediency, marital relationships, and the societal constraints faced by women during that period[2][4][5].
In this special episode of Unpacking Israeli History, host Noam Weissman shares a conversation with producer Rivky Stern, who unexpectedly finds herself in Israel with her young family as war with Iran breaks out. Rivky reflects on the emotional and psychological toll of daily life under rocket threat, offering a raw and deeply personal perspective from inside a conflict zone. Then, Noam revisits the legendary 1981 Israeli strike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor—Operation Osirak—and explores the moral dilemmas, strategic brilliance, and long-lasting impact of what became known as the Begin Doctrine. Together, these two stories—one unfolding in real time, the other historic—highlight the enduring challenges and guiding principles behind Israel’s defense of its people.
Unpacking Israeli History 
