Tel Aviv had to forfeit a crown yesterday - one it wasn’t quite proud of - after this year’s ranking of the most expensive cities in the world moved it from the top spot to third place. But anyone living in the Israeli financial capital can tell you that that cost of living hasn’t gotten any cheaper - it’s just that two other cities became significantly more expensive.And while Tel Aviv was dethroned, there’s someone who has yet to resume his place at the top - prime-minister delegate Netanyahu, who has yet to accomplish forming a government. Although Bibi still hasn’t addressed the Israeli public, he gave an interview to Bari Weiss this week - with a few headlines. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the highlights - including what’s behind Netanyahu’s claim his government won’t be “ruled by Talmud”, and why calling Trump’s meeting with Kanye West and a Holocaust denier “a mistake” isn’t enough of a condemnation.Plus, the lawsuit in France that determines - no, you really don’t have to be fun at work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following yet another stall in the negotiations between designated PM Netanyahu and his presumptive partners, it seems the parties are slowly heading towards agreements on key issues. But while the important ministerial offices seem to be assigned, it may take some more time until all demands are settled - ranging from a judicial reform to new conversion laws.  And interior matters aren’t the only ones on the upcoming government’s plate. The relationship with the Biden administration is likely to get off to a rocky start, with White House officials already expressing concern regarding members of Netanyahu’s coalition. We are joined by historian Eric Alterman, to discuss Israel-US ties and the future of American Jews, who appear to be steering left - while Israelis, for the most part - are turning to the right.  Plus, is “Jew to Jew” a legitimate excuse to get out of something bad? Yonit and Jonathan discuss the matter of attempting to persuade reporters to let go of a story on the basis of shared religion.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a time when Twitter is the main source of information for many people, Malcolm Gladwell remains on a near-celebrity status by doing the exact opposite: publishing lengthy, thought-provoking examinations of human behaviors and, most recently, historic events. His name is regularly etched in the New York Times best seller list, the podcast company he heads garners millions of listens, and theories from his books are often mentioned by politicians, academics and just regular readers. That includes our hosts, who are very honored to switch things up and have Gladwell on Unholy this week!  The rockstar of American journalism (who is actually a UK-born Canadian), credited with the popularization of non-fiction, joins Yonit and Jonathan for a talk about, well, lots of things. How social media gave a platform to unhinged voices, which version of success complies with his Menonite upbringing, why humanity is actually more equipped to handle its problems than we think, and that one time he ruined a friendship over a song - tune in to hear all this, plus more anecdotes, impressions and even an analysis of ‘chutzpah’. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benjamin Netanyahu may have coasted into a clear victory in the fifth Israeli election round last week, but for Israel’s closest ally, the United States, the midterms have been startlingly close, with control of both chambers of Congress remaining up in the air as of this morning. And although Democrats have been breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding the sweeping midterm losses that were forecasted, Republicans could still be edging toward a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. This week, Jonathan joins us from DC, to detail his take-aways from a few weeks following the campaign, where he hopped from one key state to another, attended political rallies of former Presidents and even ushered in Shabbat at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.    In Israel, despite the aforementioned win on Netanyahu’s end, the road to forming a right-wing government isn’t exactly a smooth one, with demands from every faction of the bloc and a series of controversial statements from members of the Religious Zionist party. Yonit and Jonathan analyze the potential landmines of the apparent coalition, and the implications of the leftist parties’ downfall.   Plus - which fast food restaurant chain offered a bargain this week that left a bad taste? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May three and a half years of political turmoil conclude with Israel’s fifth election - and the forming of the most right-wing government in its history? With the majority of the votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be on a course for an even bigger victory than yesterday’s initial exit polls suggested, his bloc currently projected to win 65 seats in the Knesset. And with the leftist Meretz party laying below the election threshold, the other parties that form the current coalition are left wondering about the future of the Israeli left. In this special update, Yonit and Jonathan summarize up everything you need to know about Israeli politics at this point - and fill you in on what is expected to happen upon Bibi’s return to power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elections are supposed to be a special occasion, but Israelis already know the drill. Wake up on a Tuesday, proceed to the ballots, drop their selected note into the box, turn on the television at 10PM - and, if things go as usual, learn yet again that there is no conclusive outcome due to another deadlock. But as the clock ticks by, the candidates are making their final attempt to garner more votes - even on behalf of other parties in their bloc. Yonit and Jonathan discuss last-minute mishaps amongst the parties, and the unlikely scenarios that could tip the scales come election night.   But while next week’s elections may result in an Israeli prime minister exchange- at least Downing 10 is no longer vacant. After its former resident resigned with a mere forty four days spent in office, and a cat became its most permanent resident, the official home of the British leader this week was entered by Rishi Sunak, the UK’s third prime minister in two months.    Plus, whether you pronounce it Adi-das or A-didas, there’s no question if the sports retailer should have dropped Kanye West, adding to the list of affiliates who cut ties with the rapper after a series of antisemitic remarks. But while some attribute the rant to mental illness, it seems the intolerance in the US towards Jews may be more evident than ever. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli politics nearing the finish line - 11 days to go till the country’s fifth election in three and a half years. But, political turmoil, it appears, is not exclusively Israeli: as many ask if Yair Lapid’s tenure as Prime Minister can be the the shortest in Israeli history, the U.K. raises the stakes - and in a breathtakingly rapid fall from power, Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns after only 44 days in office. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the non-stop political news from London and Tel Aviv.  A week after Kanye West was removed from social media due to antisemitic remarks he since has doubled down on, yet another high level personality banned from social media - former US President Donald Trump -  writes that American Jews “have to get their act together [...] before it is too late”, and despite the fallout between them in the past, former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is there to defend him.   Not one - but two Israeli politicians make our chutzpah award nominee list this week, and find out why Jonathan was compared to Mel Brooks! Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighteen days to Israeli elections – recent polls show the far right Legislator Itamar Ben Gvir gaining momentum, at the expense of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party. We discuss the possible ramifications of Ben Gvir's ascension inside and outside Israel. And, on a lighter tone – Yonit is giving Jonathan a behind the scenes look at her preparations for the upcoming election night broadcast. Israel and Lebanon are on the verge of signing a maritime border agreement, and now that the political dust has settled - what is actually in the deal, and what does each side set to gain and lose. Our special guest this week is Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. She Joins Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation about ways to counter anti-Semitism - old and new, from the right and from the left, and shares her  thoughts about Kanye West's anti-Semitic outburst. Finally, what country hits our chutzpah award list, and one courtroom in Connecticut that can restore your faith in the power of truth.  -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holiday season is no excuse for the news cycle to stop turning, and boy - did it turn! From the maritime talks between Israel and Lebanon that are causing a skirmish, through protests on the streets of Iran, to a new political autobiography on bookshop shelves - there’s a lot to catch up on, and luckily we’re here to fill you in.  Our special guest this week is financial columnist for the New York Times, anchor for CNBC and Emmy award winner Andrew Ross Sorkin. He joins Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation about the global economic crisis and will it develop into a total crash in the markets, the sustainability of the high cost living in Israel and the U.K., and of course - Jewish mothers, because no guest on this podcast gets a waver from that question. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are days of reflectiveness, between the Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah, and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar- Yom Kippur.  Yonit and Jonathan are joined by acclaimed author Nicole Krauss, for a discussion about Judaism that reverberates throughout her work, writing in the voice of a woman and a of a man, the place of Israel in her works and in her life, and what has changed in the literary world since she wrote her first novel at the age of 25.  -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.