Israel Policy Pod

Kicking off our summer book club series, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts journalist and analyst Oren Kessler to discuss his new book, "Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict." They discuss the reasons why this historical period is so critical to understanding our current moment, the similarities of the Great Arab Revolt to later mass popular uprisings, British attempts to launch the first Middle East peace process, and the legacies and lessons for both Israelis and Palestinians. Explore more of our work: How the Judicial Overhaul Threatens Israel’s Status as a Secure, Jewish, and Democratic State (Video Series)West Bank Settlements ExplainedUnderstanding Critical Issues (short explainers)More Resources on the Israeli Government's Judicial Reform50 Steps Before the DealSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

Mohammad Darawshe, an expert on Arab-Jewish relations in Israel, joins host Neri Zilber for a deep dive into the escalating violent crime and murder wave in Arab Israeli communities. They discuss the root causes of what is already a tragically record-breaking year, the absence of the Israeli state in Arab towns and villages, the proliferation of organized crime families, the impact of the violence on regular Arab citizens, the complete failure of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Netanyahu government to address the issue, and the current state of play in Arab-Israeli politics. Register for our video briefing tomorrow (6/15): Leveraging the Prospect of Israel-Saudi Normalization to Advance Israeli-Palestinian ProgressSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Director of Policy Research Shira Efron to analyze recent events across the Middle East. They discuss this past weekend's terror attack on the Israel-Egypt border, the Israeli government's intentions for the West Bank, the chances of a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the U.S. role in any such deal, and the re-election of President Erdoğan in Turkey. Explore more of our work: How the Judicial Overhaul Threatens Israel’s Status as a Secure, Jewish, and Democratic State (Video Series)West Bank Settlements ExplainedUnderstanding Critical Issues (short explainers)More Resources on the Israeli Government's Judicial Reform50 Steps Before the DealSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

Walla News Chief Political Correspondent Tal Shalev joins Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber to assess the current state of play in Israeli politics after the passage of the state budget last week. They discuss what upcoming pitfalls await the Netanyahu government this summer, the fate of the judicial overhaul, the pressures on Bibi from both the protest movement in the streets and the hardliners in his own coalition, and the political fortunes of opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid.Explore more of our work: Judicial Legislation Tracker West Bank Settlements ExplainedUnderstanding Critical Issues (short explainers)More Resources on the Israeli Government's Judicial Reform50 Steps Before the DealSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

Col. (res.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, the former head of the Palestinian arena in Israeli Military Intelligence, joins Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber for an in-depth conversation on the recent Israel-Palestinian Islamic Jihad conflict, Operation Shield and Arrow. They assess what this latest round of fighting means for Israel's overall Gaza strategy, the relationship between PIJ and Hamas, and Iran's role, and if (but most likely when) violence will erupt again.Watch our educational series on why the judicial overhaul threatens Israel's security here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Israeli journalist and Fauda co-creator Avi Issacharoff to discuss his new upcoming show, "Ghosts of Beirut," about Hezbollah arch-terrorist Imad Mugniyeh and the decades-long hunt by the CIA and Mossad to kill him. They also discuss current events, including this week's one-day escalation between Israel and Gaza and the ongoing protest movement in Israel against the Netanyahu government. Learn about our Charles Bronfman IPF Atid Conveners Program and apply here. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Director of Policy Research Shira Efron to reflect on Israel's 75th Independence Day. They discuss the recent anti-government protests at Diaspora Jewish conferences being held in Israel, the possible fate of the judicial overhaul, and recent changes in Middle East geopolitics, and take stock as the Jewish state celebrates its diamond jubilee.Watch and share: Secure, Jewish, and Democratic. Today and tomorrow. (VIDEO)Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel joins Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber to break down all the major security events of this tumultuous holiday period, including the recent multi-front escalation in Jerusalem, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank; the chances for a real war breaking out soon; the IDF's relationship to the ongoing protest movement; the un-firing of Defense Minister Yoav Galant; and a looming crisis over the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox into the army.Explore more of our work: Judicial Legislation Tracker West Bank Settlements ExplainedUnderstanding Critical Issues (short explainers)50 Steps Before the DealSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

After three months of mass demonstrations against his plan to undermine Israel's judicial system—and after an outpouring of anger in the wake of the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Galant—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally relented and said he was suspending the legislative blitz until after Passover. To discuss the significance of this dramatic development, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman turns the tables on regular host Neri Zilber (Israel Policy Forum policy advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist) to glean insight into the success of the protest movement, what really changed Netanyahu's calculus, and what may come next. Explore more of our work: Video Briefing: No Security Without DemocracyJudicial Legislation Tracker West Bank Settlements ExplainedUnderstanding Critical Issues (short explainers)50 Steps Before the DealSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

On this week's episode, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber hosts Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow and Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Director of Policy Research Shira Efron for a wide-ranging conversation about the escalating crisis in Israel over the government's judicial overhaul plans, growing concerns in Washington and the American Jewish community, Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy (and violence) on the eve of the sensitive holiday period, and Middle East security affairs including a surprise deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Explore more of our work: Judicial Legislation Tracker West Bank Settlements ExplainedVideo Briefing: No Security Without DemocracyUnderstanding Critical Issues (short explainers)More Resources on the Israeli Government's Judicial Reform50 Steps Before the DealSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.