Daniel Gordis, faculty member at Shalem College, discusses the Second Intifada, Hamas's massacre on October 7th, and the existential threat to Israel. They explore the impact of the Oslo agreement, territorial acquisitions, and Israel's relationships with neighboring countries. They also discuss the need for buffer zones in the conflict, the parallels between protection needs of Jews in Israel and Europe, and the challenges of finding a resolution.

As Israel turns 75, has it fulfilled the promise of its founders? Daniel Gordis of Shalem College talks about his book, Impossible Takes Longer, with EconTalk's Russ Roberts looking at the successes and failures of Israel. Topics discussed include the history of Zionism, the plight of the Palestinians, the Jewishness of the Jewish state, and the current debate in Israel over judicial reform.

Author Daniel Gordis discusses Menachem Begin's life as a wanted man before Israel's creation, including his political career, meetings with key figures, the arrival of the Altalena ship, and his enduring legacy in Israeli and Jewish history. The podcast also explores the role of religion in European Jewry, the battle for control in Daria scene, distorted accounts of historical events, the divide among American Jews on the establishment of a Jewish state, and Begin's pride in Jewishness and its impact on the revival of Jewish interest.