Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.Israel may be holding its own on the battlefield, but it’s losing ground in the court of public opinion. False accusations, distorted statistics, and relentless condemnation in parliaments, human rights groups, the press, and international courts have created a storm that threatens Israel’s very legitimacy.Why is this happening, and what does it mean for Israel’s future? Is the problem rooted in Israel’s own communication missteps—or in a deeper hostility and antisemitism in the West? And if the narrative war is being lost, what can still be done to change course?Joining me is Dr. Michael Oren—historian, author, and former Israeli ambassador to Washington. Together we explore what’s at stake, who should be stepping up, and whether Israel can still turn the tide in a battle that matters as much as any fought on the ground.Mentioned in this episode:Michael Oren: The Wisdom of Yahya Sinwar

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.IsraAID — Israel’s leading humanitarian relief group — has quietly worked inside Gaza. What began as behind-the-scenes coordination with international NGOs has grown into direct aid: delivering medicine and medical equipment, running a logistics hub, and supporting water and healthcare projects for thousands of Palestinians.Until recently, this work was kept secret, but as the humanitarian crisis deepens — and the debate over aid grows more toxic — IsraAID has decided to speak openly.In this episode, IsraAID CEO Yotam Polizer joins host Aviva Klompas to discuss how the organization operates in Gaza, the risks it faces, and how it ensures aid doesn’t fall into the hands of Hamas.Guest BioYotam Polizer is the Global CEO of IsraAID, Israel’s largest humanitarian NGO, where he leads a team of 300+ responding to crises in 12 countries, including large-scale relief operations in Israel and Gaza following the October 7th attacks. A 2023 Charles Bronfman Award laureate, he has spearheaded missions worldwide—from evacuating at-risk Afghans during the 2021 Taliban takeover to supporting Syrian refugees in Greece and Germany, Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone, earthquake victims in Japan and Nepal, and typhoon-stricken communities in the Philippines. With 15 years’ experience in humanitarian aid and international development, Yotam serves on the boards of the Society for International Development and JustServe, is a Schusterman Fellow, and holds degrees in African studies and international relations from Tel Aviv University and the Israeli Open University.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.The protests for Israel’s hostages have become one of the largest grassroots movements in the country’s history. Highways are blocked, strikes are called, and ministers’ homes are surrounded by demonstrators demanding one thing: a deal to bring the hostages home.Some see the protests as proof of Israel’s moral resolve. Others warn they hand Hamas leverage by exposing division and desperation. And the government now faces a wrenching dilemma: how to weigh public pressure against military objectives and national security.In this episode, Dr. Michael Oren - historian, author, and Israel’s former ambassador to Washington - joins host Aviva Klompas to examine what the protests reveal about Israel’s national character, whether they help or hinder the war effort, and how history may judge this moment.

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.