Unholy: Two Jews on the News

As protests continue and contrasting opinions over the judicial reform surface from within the coalition, it seemed this week the prime minister himself was almost on the brink of backing down. Yonit and Jonathan talk with lead journalist and "Uvda" host Ilana Dayan on how this ends - and, on her decision to speak up against the overhaul. Plus, a literary giant takes the mensch award and two veterans battle for the chutzpah prize. -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As protests continue against the Netanyahu government’s overhaul of the judicial system, the prospect of compromise is receding. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the fallout of the ruling coalition’s rejection of President Herzog’s proposed alternative — amid warning signs that Israel's enemies are taking advantage of what they perceive as a moment of weakness. Plus a conversation with Dave Rich, author of "Everyday Hate", on modern antisemitism  - and how everyone from Kanye to a hit Broadway show draw on ideas about Jews that have endured for centuries. -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

***This episode was recorded before the terror attack in Tel Aviv*** The protests against the judicial reform in Israel escalate as demonstators rally nationally in a day of resistance, while the attempts to negotiate a compromise seem to falter. Plus, a homage to world-renowned actor Chaim Topol, iconic 'Tevye' of film and stage, who passed away this week. And - what better way to celebrate Purim than with someone whose job is to make people laugh? Yonit and Jonathan are joined by MODI, the Israeli-American comedian headlining shows all around the world, to talk about various Jewish audiences, sexual identity, and the theory of "Messiah Energy".-- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A morning of stun grenades and police horses at a protest, followed by an evening of a siege on a hair salon in central Tel Aviv? Just another regular day in Israel, apparently - which has also been facing an increasing security threat in the West Bank. Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin gives his take to Yonit and Jonathan on the  tensions with the Palestinians, plus why he thinks that when it comes to politics, the military shouldn't be involved. And - as usual - a mini award ceremony with worthy victors in our chutzpah and mensch categories.  -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two guests, two perspectives - Yonit and Jonathan talk to two Israelis with sharply conflicting views of the current state of their country. Legal activist Yonatan Green is a staunch advocate of the judicial overhaul - while New Yorker writer Ruth Margalit has profiled the hard right nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, who she calls the Minister of Chaos. Plus - the government that keeps supplying us with undisputed chutzpahs. -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You asked - and we answered. Yonit and Jonathan give their take on listeners’ questions on Benjamin Netanyahu’s “judicial reform” plan and its political repercussions, chat about the Super Bowl ad that portends a new future for American Jews - and delight in two examples of truly jaw dropping chutzpah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The battle for Israeli democracy, to quote the opponents of Benjamin Netanyahu's "judicial reform" plan, moved to a new front this week - with an effort to enlist the Jewish diaspora into the protest movement. Yonit and Jonathan speak to writer and journalist Matti Friedman about his "Open Letter to Israel's Friends". Plus an update on the earthquakes that shook the Middle East and a chutzpah award to a woman in (British) politics and to the absence of women in (Israeli) politics. -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A letter signed by top Israeli economists, warning against the financial implications of the judicial reform, featured the name of one of the country's only Nobel Prize winners - world-renowned professor Daniel Kahneman, pioneer of behavioral economics. This week, he joins our hosts to discuss the responses to his description of the reform as "the worst threat to Israel's existence to date", and what combination of pressure he thinks could really affect the lawmakers. Plus - the maven of tidiness who surrendered to a mess that can only be brought on by three kids, and the Hebrew quote that German television viewers learned this week from a friend of the podcast.  -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the week of Holocaust remembrance, Yonit and Jonathan talk to one of the country’s finest, funniest writers, Etgar Keret - to reflect on his late mother, a survivor of the Shoah who never wanted that label, and give his take on the political turmoil. Plus, classic chutzpah and mensch awards – and a look at the gap between what Brits say and what they actually mean (also known as: the guide to understanding your British co-host). Special thanks to Ira Glass and the team of "This American Life" for their assistance in the making of this episode.  -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israel's constitutional crisis deepens. As the country's Supreme Court tells Binyamin Netanyahu to fire one of his most senior ministers, we hear from one of Israel's leading jurists, Professor Michael Karayanni of the Hebrew University - about how he - and his fellow Arab citizens of Israel - see the stand-off between the judges and the government. Plus: Mel Brooks, the girls who defied their rabbis - and a chutzpah award to a top British politician. -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.