Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Rebecca Bohbot, wife of hostage Elkana Bohbot, shares her heartbreaking journey after her husband's abduction during the Nova Music Festival. She reflects on their last conversation, revealing his selflessness and bravery. Rebecca discusses the emotional toll on their young son and her challenges explaining his father's absence. Despite fears, she advocates for her husband's release, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness about hostage situations. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, love, and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Herut Nimrodi is the mother of Tamir, a soldier kidnapped by Hamas, and she shares her heart-wrenching journey since his abduction in October 2023. She discusses the emotional turmoil of living in limbo, enduring broken promises, and the challenges faced by hostage families amidst uncertainty. Herut emphasizes the need for humanity in hostage negotiations and highlights the importance of community solidarity. Her compelling story serves as a poignant reminder of the personal toll behind political conflict.

Alyza Lewin, President of The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, dives into the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on campus antisemitism. She discusses the effectiveness of federal interventions, including funding cuts and investigations into universities. The podcast explores the balance between free speech and ensuring student safety, alongside the experiences of marginalized Jewish students. Lewin emphasizes the need for clear policies and accountability in educational practices to foster a safe and inclusive environment.

In this discussion, Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former terrorism finance analyst, dives deep into Israel’s military strategy for Gaza City. He evaluates Netanyahu's five principles for ending the conflict while addressing the internal rifts within Israeli leadership. Jonathan also tackles the complexities of negotiating with Hamas amid international pressures and humanitarian concerns, and the potential risks of military actions that could exacerbate the crisis. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the current geopolitical landscape.

Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, engages in a deep conversation about the widening rift between Israeli and American Jews. He reflects on the trauma following the October 7 events and the complexities of navigating identity and power. The discussion touches on the urgent need for political inclusivity in Israel and emphasizes the importance of interfaith dialogue. Halevi shares a poignant story about a young boy’s quest for identity, offering hope amid adversity and calling for nuanced conversations to bridge cultural divides.

John Spencer, an award-winning expert in urban warfare and military strategy, joins the discussion to unpack Israel's unique challenges in its conflict with Hamas. He highlights the double standards Israel faces, emphasizing expectations for low civilian casualties that no other democracy contends with. They dive into the impact of media narratives and casualty reporting, critiquing how these shape public perception. The conversation also touches on the complexities of negotiation and the implications of international law in the ongoing conflict.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.In part two of their conversation, host Aviva Klompas and Dr. Michael Oren examine the deeper forces behind the global push to recognize a Palestinian state—and what this moment reveals about the West’s enduring relationship with the Jewish people.As the Gaza narrative shifts from war to famine, Oren argues that charges of Israeli genocide are not rooted in policy, but in long-standing antisemitic tropes. He and Aviva explore how Western media shapes public perception, the political calculus behind recognition efforts in France and the UK, and whether we are witnessing a return to the pre-Holocaust “old normal” of antisemitism in the West.They also discuss the limits of public diplomacy, the strategic consequences for Israel, and whether October 7 marked a historic turning point—not just for the Jewish state, but for the West itself.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have each announced they plan to recognize a Palestinian state this September at the United Nations General Assembly.The move has been harshly criticized by Israeli and U.S. officials, who argue it rewards Hamas and risks further undermining hostage negotiations. Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren—former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., historian, and veteran strategic analyst—to discuss the implications. They examine whether recognition is symbolic or substantive, the domestic and diplomatic motivations behind it, whether other countries are poised to follow, and how Israel should respond in strategy and rhetoric. They also reflect on what this moment reveals about the ideological divide between liberal democracies and rising Islamist influence across Europe and the Middle East.New Words from Dr. Oren: Solipsism - the quality of being very self-centered or selfish

Antisemitism in Canada has exploded in ways that few could have imagined. Attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, and businesses have become frighteningly common.How did it get this bad in a country that prides itself on tolerance and multiculturalism? Why have leaders at every level failed to protect their Jewish communities? And what does this say about Canada’s moral standing at home and on the global stage? In this episode, host Aviva Klompas talks with Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of Canada’s Conservative Party and a Member of Parliament from Thornhill, Ontario. They explore why antisemitism is spiraling out of control, what meaningful responses might look like, and how Canadian society is grappling with questions of free speech, hate speech, and rising polarizationGuest Bio: Melissa Lantsman is the Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Elected in 2021, she previously served as the Shadow Minister for Transport and as a Senior Advisor to leading Canadian political figures. Melissa believes in breaking the mold and in bringing new ideas and energy to Ottawa. She represents the next generation in Canadian politics. Born and raised in the community she now serves, Melissa was taught by her immigrant parents to work hard and to stand up for what’s right. Those are values that have guided her in all points of her life and career. Melissa is an award-winning communicator and was amongst Canada’s most sought-after public affairs executives. She has served on various boards of directors, was a regular TV commentator and hosted her own radio show. Her writing has been featured in Canada’s largest circulation publications.

In this episode of Unpublished Opinions, Aviva Klompas shares a letter to the editor that never made it to print, unpacking why Hamas no longer feels the need to negotiate. While the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is real and devastating, global outrage has been overwhelmingly directed at Israel—giving Hamas exactly what it wants: cover, leverage, and zero accountability.Aviva explains how international institutions, campus protests, and media narratives have created a dynamic in which terrorists are rewarded and hostages are forgotten.Got thoughts? We want to hear them. Email us at podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X @avivaklompas.