
Unholy: Two Jews on the News
Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.
Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".
For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy.
Contact us via: unholy@unholy-media.com
Latest episodes

May 28, 2021 • 38min
Back to Normal? - with Bianna Golodryga
Even though a ceasefire is maintained between Israel and Hamas, tensions are still high, especially around the world. Yonit and Jonathan are joined from New York by CNN's Bianna Golodryga, who called out antisemitic remarks by the Pakistani Foreign Minister - to present her with her mensch award! We also update on the looming threat of fifth elections, give some context on the who the next Israeli President will be, with a surprising Unholy cameo from one of the candidates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 2021 • 41min
A Tale of Two Wars
The war between Israel and Gaza is generating new hardships for jews in Israel and around the world. Yonit and Jonathan discuss how this escalation is different than those who came before it, and how influencers Gigi and Bella Hadid are dominating the global narrative against Israel. Finally - some vintage Freedland, celebrating the 50th anniversary of "You don't have to be Jewish", the monumental BBC Radio programme by Jonathan's late father, who hosted all the who's and jews of the time. ** Click here to join the virtual eventSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 14, 2021 • 35min
A Land on Fire
Yonit and Jonathan get together at the end of a tumultuous week in Israel, which started with tensions in Jerusalem, and ended in an all-encompassing war: hundreds of rockets landing across Israel, destructive attacks on Gaza and riots by lynching mobs throughout the country. **Click here for Jonathan's interview with Dennis Ross**See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 7, 2021 • 37min
Israeli Math
Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett are busy crafting a coalition that defies all rules of math, on their way to topple incumbent PM Netanyahu. The disaster at Mount Meron unearths big questions regarding the Israeli establishment's dealings with the Haredi community. In Chutzpah and Mensch, Yonit and Jonathan discuss the latest UK-France standoff, and offer some TV bingeing recommendations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 2021 • 40min
The Thrill is Gone
Israeli PM Netanyahu is showing signs of losing his magic, when a failed attempt at appointing his loyalist as Justice Minister ended up getting his rivals closer together. Yonit and Jonathan also discuss the latest report accusing Israel of apartheid. In France, a new ruling raises old concerns by the Jewish community. And we pay homage to the first Israeli transgender soccer referee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 22, 2021 • 35min
The West Wink
Welcome to our Bar Mitzvah episode! Netanyahu's rivals have outsmarted the Prime Minister on a crucial vote and were caught winking behind his back. Is he on the brink of losing power? Yonit and Jonathan discuss. In the US, TV personality Tucker Carlson is creating a new concerning discourse in the right. And some big names on our Chutzpah and Mensch awards list. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 2021 • 40min
73 and Me
Israel is celebrating its 73rd year of independence and Yonit and Jonathan are back behind the mic! In politics, Netanyahu has the mandate from the president, but not a coalition or a government, as the deadlock remains. The covert war in Iran is out of the shadows and part of the political game for Israel's security heads. A farewell to Bernie Madoff and a Freedland-Levi faceoff on Duolingo with their latest language addition: Yiddish! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 24, 2021 • 35min
Special Edition: Israeli Election Results
Israel wakes up to a new political reality: PM Netanyahu can't form a government without reaching out to an Arab leader, and a new Kingmaker emerges, along with the likely possibility of a fifth election. Yonit and Jonathan are here with a Special Edition of UNHOLY and a detailed debrief of (another) crazy Israeli election night. Yes, we are also getting ready for Passover Seder!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2021 • 53min
Israeli Elections - with David Axelrod
The Elections in Israel are approaching the final furlong, and Yonit is sharing some trade secrets with Jonathan on what to look out for come Election night. Above all, we are delighted to be joined by special guest, David Axelrod, talking to us on Biden, Obama, Netanyahu and what it means to be a jew in the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 12, 2021 • 36min
Kings and Kingmakers
Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle change what younger Brits think of their monarchs, and the almost-eternal British Bar Mitzvah and Jewish wedding playlist? In the Kingdom of Israel, Naftali Bennett arises as the new potential Kingmaker, or perhaps... political tradition may still prevail (we mean fifth elections, of course). For Chutzpah and Mensch awards, Yonit and Jonathan discover a new English word.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.