Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Dr. Michael Oren, a historian and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., shares his insights on Middle Eastern dynamics as 2026 approaches. He discusses Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland and the implications of Netanyahu’s meetings with Trump. Oren highlights the influence of Trump's military stance on regional deterrence and predicts electoral scenarios for Israel, considering factors like the October 7th inquiry and Haredi politics. He also explores Iran's internal unrest and its potential impact on regional stability.

Michael Rapaport, a veteran actor, comedian, and podcaster known for his passionate advocacy for Israel, shares his candid reflections on the year 2025. He dives into issues such as rising antisemitism in Hollywood and the importance of Jewish resilience. With a mix of humor and sincerity, he discusses his New Year's resolutions, offers hot takes on global events, critiques media narratives, and announces a personal documentary. Notably, he reveals his surprising plans to run for mayor, making this a must-listen for fans and those interested in his fiery takes!

Shaul Kelner, a Professor of Jewish Studies and Sociology at Vanderbilt University, dives into the complexities of American antizionism. He discusses how this movement operates more as a political act than an intellectual critique, emphasizing the dangers it poses to Jewish communities. Kelner unpacks the ambiguity in the pro-Palestine movement's goals and its roots in U.S. academia. Highlighting the distinction between anti-Zionism and antizionism, he warns that misunderstanding these terms can hinder critical discussions around antisemitism and broader social inclusivity.

Loay Alshareef, a peace advocate and historian from the UAE, shares his transformative journey from anti-Jewish views in Saudi Arabia to advocating for Muslim-Jewish understanding. He recounts how living with a Jewish family in France reshaped his perceptions and challenged his indoctrination. Loay emphasizes the need for education in de-radicalization and argues against the misconception that being Muslim and Zionist are mutually exclusive. He also highlights the significance of the Abraham Accords in fostering peace.

Please donate to support and the families affected by the Bondi Beach terror attack: www.charidy.com/supportsydneyWe want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @AvivaKlompas.Aviva speaks with survivors of the terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead and dozens wounded. What began as a public gathering to mark the first night of the Jewish festival became one of the deadliest attacks on Jews in Australia’s history.Sorella’s fundraiser for Rabbi Eli Schlanger: Charidy.com/ElischlangerChavi’s organization: Theempoweredjew.org

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.In this episode, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis reflects on what Hanukkah asks of us this year, in the wake of the antisemitic attack on Jews in Australia. He explores how an ancient story of courage, conviction, and spiritual resilience speaks to a moment when Jewish communities are confronting rising antisemitism, deep communal strain, and the challenge of remaining visible in difficult and frightening times.The Chief Rabbi discusses the enduring meaning of the festival, what it takes to keep Jewish identity proud and vibrant in the face of threats, and how individuals and communities can bring light into a world that often feels shadowed by fear and uncertainty.Guest Bio:Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis is only the 11th Chief Rabbi of Great Britain since the office was introduced in 1704. He is the religious figurehead for Jewish communities right across the Commonwealth, from Hull to Hong Kong and from Cardiff to Cochin. He was installed on 1st September 2013 in an historic ceremony attended by His Majesty King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales.Born in South Africa, he previously served as Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Rabbi of the Western Marble Arch and Finchley (Kinloss) Synagogues in London, making him one of the UK’s most respected community Rabbis. As Chief Rabbi, he is a primary representative of the Jewish community to government, other faiths and civil society as well as being responsible for oversight of crucial parts of the UK Jewish community’s religious infrastructure.Chief Rabbi Mirvis is known as a principled leader who has broken new ground in the fields of interfaith and social responsibility as well as tackling a number of particularly complex or controversial issues including the welfare of LGBT+ students in Orthodox Jewish Schools and antisemitism in the British Labour Party. Chief Rabbi Mirvis serves as Associate President of the Conference of European Rabbis, President of the London School of Jewish Studies and was made a Knight Commander of the British Empire, by His Majesty The King in 2023.  

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.Israel is facing a moment without precedent: a sitting prime minister on trial for corruption is now asking the president for a pardon. Benjamin Netanyahu has spent years fighting charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting gifts from wealthy associates. The trial has dragged on through political crises, judicial reform battles, and two years of war. He insists he’s the target of a political conspiracy. Others say the case is a test of whether Israel’s leaders can ever be held accountable.Now he argues the trial is hurting the country — and wants President Isaac Herzog to bring it to an end.The move has split Israelis. Supporters say a pardon would allow the nation to turn the page. Critics warn it would set a dangerous precedent and undermine public trust in the rule of law. And into this already charged moment stepped President Trump, urging Herzog to grant the pardon and calling the prosecution politically motivated.In this episode, Dr. Michael Oren joins host Aviva Klompas to break down the stakes: what a pardon would mean for Israel’s democracy and how it could reshape the political map.

Dr. Einat Wilf, a former member of the Israeli Knesset and political thinker, discusses her launch of the Oz Party, driven by recent events and a need for a shift in national consciousness. She argues for moving from 'exile-consciousness' to a sovereign mindset, emphasizing that peace hinges on Arab recognition of a Jewish state. Wilf offers practical policy steps, tackles the need for civic service, and calls for a cross-partisan coalition while rejecting leader-centric politics. Her vision seeks to redefine Israel's identity and future direction.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org, or message Aviva on X at @AvivaKlompas. Boundless relies on your support to produce courageous conversations and nuanced analysis at a time when clarity matters more than ever. If this episode – or any of our work – has helped you better understand the moment we’re living in, please consider making a contribution at boundlessisrael.org/donate.Host Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Michael Oren to examine how the U.S.–Israel relationship has been reshaped over the course of the war — and what Israel may be conceding in the process.Together, they explore how shifting American leadership has transformed the boundaries of Israeli decision-making, from constraints on military operations to mounting pressure around Gaza’s future governance and a potential path toward Palestinian statehood. Dr. Oren unpacks the tension between strategic dependence and national sovereignty, and questions whether Israel is being nudged toward an uneasy reality in which Hamas survives by default.Their conversation also addresses growing concerns over Israel’s qualitative military edge, the implications of arms commitments to regional powers, and whether the alliance still rests on shared values or has evolved into a more transactional dynamic.Guest BioDr. Michael Oren is a historian, author, and former Israeli ambassador to the United States. A leading voice on Middle East strategy and Israeli politics, he has written numerous best-selling books and served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Middle East analyst David Makovsky joins Dr. Rachel Fish to unpack the “phase one to phase two” handoff in Gaza: what the Trump plan actually changed, why returning the remaining hostages bodies still matters, and why an international stabilization force is unlikely to disarm Hamas. Makovsky outlines a de-Hamas future for Gaza built on a West-Berlin model that pairs PA-Israel security coordination with technocratic Palestinian governance, while Arab states provide funding and public cover. They also map the Saudi calculus on normalization, the risks of delay, and how Israel’s coming election could reshape U.S.–Israel ties, regional alignments, and Israel’s democratic character.Further ReadingDavid Makovsky and Shira Efron, For Progress in Gaza, Empower the Palestinian Authority