State of Tel Aviv, Israel Podcast

If you missed Episode 7, you can find it below.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Fleur Hassan-Nahum, loyal Likud member and Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem explains how she reconciles her identity as a liberal democratic Israeli with the current focus of her party – and the coalition government – on what many consider to be legislatives reforms that will destroy Israel’s independent judiciary – and liberal democracy. A self-described consensus builder and pragmatist, she quite openly discusses the shortcomings of the rollout of the proposed reforms but is adamant that they are necessary. It is a position that I can neither understand nor accept; but our exchange is a polite reflection of what takes place constantly, these days, all over Israel.  State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

On Sunday March 26, 2023, at 9 pm, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his Minister of Defence, General Yoav Gallant, for daring to warn the nation that we are in a dire security predicament. Gallant urged the Prime Minister to pause the controversial judicial “reform” legislation that most Israelis believe will be the death knell of liberal democracy in the country. Netanyahu’s impulsive dismissal of Gallant sparked massive protests throughout Israel within minutes. Whatsapp mobilized the nation.  Everything came to a standstill. The last 24 hours in Israel have been as dramatic as any in its 75 year history. The country is paralyzed by protests. The main international airport, factories, ports, shops, universities, everything is shut down. A national strike has been called and is supported by Israelis across the political spectrum. This is about preserving democracy and preventing the dictatorial regime that Netanyahu and his coalition partners are determined to impose. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets last night and the protests have yet to subside. Israel may well be on the brink of civil war. Vivian Bercovici was on the streets of Tel Aviv until 2 am today and helps us understand what is really going down. General Noam Tibon (res.) joins her to discuss what has transpired….they met on Sunday, midday, when things were looking somewhat positive. And then…..KABOOM! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Today’s podcast takes a close look at the Kohelet Policy Forum – a Jerusalem-based think tank financed by two Philadelphia billionaires. Kohelet has been working hard for many years on developing policy proposals and legislation to overhaul the Israeli justice system and with the election of the hard right, ultra-orthodox governing coalition they struck gold. Kohelet policy proposals were embraced by the coalition but enraged the general public – even many who had voted for coalition parties in the last election. For 12 weeks now demonstrations and protests have become larger, more disruptive and social order is rapidly breaking down. Kohelet is proud of their proposals and has yet to voice misgivings regarding the consequences. What is Kohelet and what are they doing and why?Your feedback is important to us, please take a moment to rate us on Apple Podcast by clicking the button below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Israel has been in a state of chaos for months now, with much of the country protesting a package of laws reforming the justice system that many think goes much further – and will be the end of liberal democracy in Israel. We dig deep into the issues and talk to the people organizing these protests: elite combat reserve soldiers, air force pilots, professionals, regular folks. These are the people PM Netanyahu brands as leftists, anarchists, and terrorists. They call him a dictator and say this is the most important war that Israel has ever fought since its founding in 1948. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

On the first anniversary of the war with Russia, Ukrainian sculptor Mikhaïl Reva speaks with Vivian Bercovici about deriving meaning from from the horror of the senseless destruction, and discusses his complex ancestry. Mourning the recent loss of his mother, who was Jewish, Reva- who does not identify with any particular organized religion, surprises even himself as he shares the origins his family’s deep ties to Ukraine. So much traces back to a vicious pogrom in 1903) in which his great grandparents were murdered, leaving their young son an orphan. That was Misha’s grandfather, raised in Soviet orphanages during the Nazi years. I expected an immersion in a master’s work and got that, and so much more, from our fascinating conversation.Please visit our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to see more photographs and video of Reva’s extraordinary work in progress interpreting the war: “The Russian World”.An early model of Mikhail Reva’s sculpture – “Bucha” – commemorating the victims of the Russian massacre of Ukrainian civilians. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Israel is descending quickly into a crisis that, if unchecked, may well lead to civil war. These are the words of President Isaac Herzog. The words and fears of MK Benny Gantz, former IDF Chief of Staff and Minister of Defence. For months now, the country has been cleaved by sharp divisions that go to the core of Israel’s identity as a liberal democracy. The hard right-wing government coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has brought together some very extreme interests and they are bulldozing their judicial “reforms” through the legislative process at breakneck speed. There is no proper consultation or public discussion and many are of the view that if implemented these changes will destroy the country by allowing extreme religious and political agendas to control national priorities. The tensions peaked on Wednesday night when police used unprecedented violence against peaceful demonstrators, sending 11 to hospital for treatment. Vivian Bercovici, in conversation with journalist Haviv Rettig Gur, on why this time is different. And how much worse it could still get.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

To finally launch this podcast is so huge. I realize a personal dream and expect and hope our stories will resonate. Our first episode is kind of surreal; an impassioned plea from two prominent Israelis – one on the right, the other center left – explaining how dire a moment this is: in Jewish history and the short life of the modern State of Israel. The crisis in Israel is about so much more than justice reform. It is about whether the country has a future as a liberal democracy. Doesn’t get closer to the bone than that. Please tune in and follow us. Tell your family and friends. We’re working on some great episodes. And, no. You won’t hear this stuff anywhere else. We’ve got a twist. Always. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe