Guests: Yossi Klein Halevi: author, Michael Oren: former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Rabbi Yehiel Poupko. The podcast explores the roots and controversies of Zionism through interviews with Zionist Jews who have fled their homes, discussing religious messianic longing, the rejection of victimhood, and the dangers of vilifying Israel without historical context. It also highlights the experiences of living on the Israel-Gaza border and the community's resilience in the face of violence.
The Jewish people's attachment to the land of Israel is deeply rooted in their religious and historical identity, seen as a part of their redemption and a fulfillment of God's promises.
The Israel-Palestine conflict emerged from a deeply rooted desire for self-determination and the return to a homeland for both Jewish and Palestinian people, highlighting the complexities of establishing new nation-states.
The Six-Day War in 1967 brought a monumental shift in global perceptions of Israel, transforming it from a victimized nation into a military power and challenging the traditional narrative of Jewish victimhood.
Deep dives
The Shalom Hotel: A Temporary Home for Displaced Families
A group of families, evacuated from their town due to conflict, find refuge in the Shalom Hotel. With the hotel no longer functioning, the families make do with limited resources, improvising and helping one another. They face uncertainty but are grateful for the support from the hotel owner. The families, totaling around 1,200 people, come together to create a strong community despite the challenging circumstances.
The Mushav of Nive: A Unique Religious Community
Nive is a religious community located at the southernmost part of Israel, bordering Gaza to the west and Egypt to the south. The people of Nive, around 150 families or 1,200 individuals, were forced to evacuate their town due to ongoing conflicts. Devoted to their faith and communal living, they sought a place where they could stay together as a community. The Shalom Hotel accepted them, offering support and meeting their needs, despite being out of operation.
The Jewish Connection to the Land of Israel
The Jewish people's attachment to the land of Israel is deeply rooted in their religious and historical identity. It is seen as a part of their redemption and a fulfillment of God's promises. The Return to Zion and the establishment of the State of Israel are seen as key elements in the Jewish story. Despite facing numerous challenges and historical turmoil, the Jewish people's connection to the land remains strong.
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in Historical Context
The Israel-Palestine conflict is often viewed as an exception to the decolonization movements of the 20th century. However, partitioning and transfer of power were common throughout the British Empire. The conflicts in India and Pakistan, as well as other regions, highlight the complexities of establishing new nation-states. The Israel-Palestine conflict emerged from a deeply rooted desire for self-determination and the return to a homeland for both Jewish and Palestinian people.
The Six-Day War: Transforming Israel's Perceptions
The Six-Day War in 1967 brought a monumental shift in global perceptions of Israel. The victory against multiple Arab armies transformed Israel from a victimized nation into a military power. This transformation challenged the traditional narrative of Jewish victimhood and sparked resentment among some groups. Israel's actions were not solely based on achieving military success, but also on reclaiming their historical and religious connection to their ancestral homeland.
In this episode of Promised Land: A Bulletin Miniseries, host Mike Cosper visits Shalom Hotel in Jerusalem to meet with Zionist Jews who have fled their homes after October 7. Digging beneath the facade of popular thought, Cosper explores the roots, identity and inspiration of Zionism. Interviews with Yossi Klein Halevi, author and former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Michael Oren, Rabbi Yehiel Poupko, and others paint a fuller picture of Jewish connection to the land of their ancestors – and why this longing often has sparked controversy.
Promised Land is a limited series exploring the moral, spiritual, and political challenges presented by the Israel-Hamas War. Host Mike Cosper (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill) takes listeners with him to locations across the U.S., Israel, and Palestine, bringing you into the homes, lives, and stories of people for whom this conflict is their everyday experience.
For show notes and more information, visit: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/bulletin/68-promised-land-zionism.html