Unholy: Two Jews on the News

The judicial reform announced last week in Israel sparked a protest this week - as it continues to draw international attention. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by three-time Pulitzer winner, Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, to discuss US reception to the law revolution, why he eulogized the Israel he once knew, and what peace prospects might come out of the new government.  And on a lighter note - a certain author wonders about the sales of a ghost-written royal memoir and we ask ourselves: what things - or people - seem Jewish, but aren’t?  -- 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.

It's been one week since Netanyahu began his sixth stint in office - but boy, has it been a heck of a week, one our hosts are here to unpack. Ben Gvir's ascent to the Temple Mount already had international attention leveled towards the new coalition in Israel, only to have it shift to the government's judicial reform - labeled by some as a constitutional revolution and conveniently announced the day before a crucial Supreme Court discussion. Plus, we talk comic books, rom-coms and public transport.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.

Benjamin Netanyahu returned to his old office this morning, taking his place as Israel's prime minister - again - with the formation of his sixth government. Following several weeks of negotiations, Netanyahu's coalition - comprised of right-wing allies - was sworn in yesterday, kicking off Israel's most conservative leadership yet. In the hours leading to the ceremony, Netanyahu handed Likud members their respective occupations, including appointing an openly-gay MK as Speaker of the Knesset - against far-right allies in the government calling to limit LGBT rights. Now, the public looks to the new government to see which of the clauses in the coalition agreements will effectively be applied - with some sections regarding discrimination causing controversy and protests both locally and internationally.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.

If you’re a regular podcast listener, chances are you’ve heard of Rachel Maddow’s Ultra, the chart-topping podcast that takes the audience back to the 1940s, when the Nazi regime managed to infiltrate the top branches of the U.S. government. This week, we’re delighted to be joined by Maddow herself, to discuss how she uncovered this largely forgotten threat to American democracy and the parallels to what we’re witnessing today. Plus, we discuss Kanye West and Elon Musk. And - Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating! It doesn’t matter whether you prefer donuts or latkes - this week’s batch of Chutzpah and Mensch awards are served quite hot, even accompanied by a royal cup of tea. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.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.

What do British people bring up in a conversation when they need to change the subject? The weather, of course. The rare occurrence of heavy snowfall this week provided not only a means of alternate topic for our co-host’s nation - but rather headlined UK news, with many unable to afford to heat their home due to the soaring prices caused by Europe’s energy crisis. Israel, on the other hand, has been enjoying a rather warm December, but it seems the excitement from last month’s election night has cooled down, with negotiations taking a little longer than expected. Netanyahu and his partners need to get through a few more legislation rounds and coalition agreements before they can form a government - moves which are already creating friction. We are joined by Eli Paley, publisher of the Haredi Mishpaca magazine, to discuss one of the most debated issues this week - the potential deal with Yahadut HaTorah, which includes a clause banning electricity production on Shabbat - and what the backlash has to do with the integration of Haredim in Israeli society over the next few years.  Plus, the FBI’s data on antisemitism showed a decline in antisemitic cases in the US - which is pretty great, until you realize they didn't take into account the two largest Jewish epicenters in the US.  -- 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.

President Herzog is expected to grant Prime Minister-delegate Netanyahu a two week extension to tie things up with his coalition partners - but the agreements reached until now between said parties have already been a source of much dispute. From giving the authority of the Civil Administration in the West Bank to Smotrich, to supplying extremist Avi Maoz with access to the Ministry of Education, the Likud has complied to a list of demands that may be the key to keeping everyone happy - but are also potentially flammable. Yonit and Jonathan analyze the understandings made already, and their controversial outcomes. And while in Israel there are people engaged with forming a government, a group in Germany tried to take down its own. A self-styled prince and an ex-judge were among those arrested in a large raid this week for a bizarre coup plot, borned from the far-right Reichsburger scene, a movement that seeks to return Germany to the system of the second Reich - and has not shied away from antisemitism. We’re joined by Bild correspondent Antonia Yamin to discuss the threat of violence and the potential return of Germany’s darker days.   Plus, all about an author tweeting this week about having two people show at her book - and gaining responses from best-selling novelists who shared that even their literary events weren’t always met with a large turnout.  -- 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.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.