Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy

Send us a textBarak Herscowitz, former head of communications for the Israeli government and the whistleblower who exposed TikTok’s anti-Israel bias, joins Eylon Levy to dissect the spin dominating the international conversation around Israel, Hamas, and the Gaza war.🔹 Why Israel changed its tone on Qatar—and why it might be too little, too late 🔹 The internal political time bomb over Haredi draft exemptions 🔹 Why the West can’t say “thank you” to Israel—even when it defeats Iran’s proxies 🔹 Who’s really in control of humanitarian aid in Gaza? (Hint: it’s not the UN) 🔹 The PR strategy behind hostage negotiations—and how silence helps HamasWe expose the media manipulation, challenge the narratives, and lay bare the political calculus at play in Jerusalem and beyond.Chapter Markers00:00 – Second Intifada memories00:37 – Introducing Barak Herscowitz02:24 – Qatar’s October 7 double game05:23 – Election-year politics & Haredi draft crisis10:30 – From “sanction Qatar” to “we’ve been played”14:14 – Pressuring Qatar (and other sponsors) for hostages19:33 – Resuming the Gaza war: hostages vs. total victory28:20 – Exit strategy: dismantling Hamas for good41:11 – TikTok, digital bias & radical content01:01:23 – Houthi missile at Ben-Gurion: deterrence dilemmaBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Douglas Murray, a British author known for his sharp political insights, dives into the complexities of Israel's conflict with Hamas. He discusses how the media war rivals the military one, revealing how narratives shape global opinion. Murray critiques Hamas's manipulation of imagery and explores the moral confusion in the West regarding these events. He highlights contrasting international responses to conflicts, emphasizing the troubling glorification of death within extremist ideologies. This candid discussion offers a fresh lens on the often-misunderstood dynamics of the situation.

Send us a textWhat does it really take to win the war of narratives in today’s chaotic information battlefield?In this must-watch episode of Israel: State of a Nation, Eylon Levy sits down with David Keyes, former international spokesperson for Prime Minister Netanyahu, for a raw conversation about strategic communications, narrative warfare, and the shocking reality behind Israel’s media strategy.🎙️ In This Episode: 🔹 How Israel's media approach evolved during crises 🔹 Inside stories from the Mossad’s Iran archive operation 🔹 Why legacy media is dead—and why Israel must adapt fast 🔹 The AI-driven "disinformation apocalypse" now reshaping global opinion 🔹 Secrets behind viral communication strategies that changed public opinion🚨 Learn why narrative warfare is the new front line—and how Israel is fighting to survive it.🔔 Subscribe for more insider perspectives on Israel’s fight for truth.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector/Editor - Benny GoldmanStudio Manager - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschIntern - Jesse Sklar00:00 - The Coming Disinformation Apocalypse01:32 - Inside Netanyahu’s War Room10:37 - Narrative Warfare: How Israel Tried to Fight Back19:59 - What Went Wrong Before October 7th34:51 - How to Create Viral Messages47:39 - Building a Manhattan Project for Narrative WarfareBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textIn the gripping conclusion to our two-part special, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy continues his conversation with Guy M., an anonymous IDF combat medic from Israel’s elite Unit 669. From battlefield trauma to unexpected moments of joy, this episode goes beyond the missions and into the heart of what it means to serve. 🔹 A wartime wedding: Finding love and light amid the darkness 🔹 Saving enemies: Rescuing Syrian civilians during their civil war 🔹 Psychological toll: How elite soldiers cope with trauma and loss 🔹 Life after rescue: The unseen cost of constant crisis responseGuy M., author of The Rescue and Full Throttle, shares never-before-heard stories of courage, compassion, and the complexity of modern warfare from inside Israel’s most elite rescue force.📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help us get these stories out to the world.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevEditor - Benny GoldmanGraphics - Thomas GirschIntern - Tal Segal & Jesse SklarChapters:0:00 - Coming up & Welcome2:16 - Planning the wedding8:21 - Planning the rescue mission15:47 - The psychological impact on soldiers22:21 - Israel treatment of Syrian patients28:07 - The Rescue and Full Throttle31:51 - OutroBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textThis Passover edition of Israel: State of a Nation takes you deep beneath the surface—literally and figuratively—into the archeological war for Israel’s legitimacy. Host Eylon Levy sits down with Doron Spielman, former IDF Spokesperson and VP of the City of David Foundation, to explore the ancient stones that are shaking modern politics.📘 Doron's book When the Stones Speak hits shelves May 13th — Preorder now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Stones-Speak-Remarkable-Discovery/dp/1546009256🟢 In This Explosive Episode:Why the City of David threatens Israel’s enemiesHow archeology became a battlefield for truth and identityThe global campaign to erase Jewish historyA behind-the-scenes look at the Israeli government’s PR strategyShocking discoveries that upend anti-Israel narratives🎙️ Featuring stories from deep inside the City of David and powerful firsthand accounts of diplomatic showdowns, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand why history matters now more than ever.🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more unfiltered truth from the frontlines of Israel’s information war.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics/Assistant Director - Thomas GirschEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanIntern - Jesse Sklar00:00 - Introduction and the City of David’s Historical Battle05:30 - Confrontation at the Church of the Nativity11:51 - Archaeological Evidence and the City of David’s Significance19:00 - The Campaign Against Jewish History25:38 - International Pressure and the Pilgrimage Road34:43- Defending the City of David and Personal Stories41:42 - Remarkable Discoveries in the City of David49:39 - Personal Stories and ConclusionBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textIn this exclusive two-part episode of Israel: The State of a Nation, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy speaks with Guy M, an IDF reservist in Unit 669, Israel’s elite combat search-and-rescue unit. Buy The Rescue now: https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-October-through-Para-Rescue-Commandos/dp/B0DKD4Z6G3 This is Part 1 of our deep dive into the untold stories of October 7 and beyond.🔹 What really happened on October 7? Firsthand testimony from an elite IDF rescuer🔹 Inside Unit 669: The intense training and high-stakes operations of Israel’s pararescue commandos🔹 The fight for survival: Rescuing wounded soldiers and civilians from Hamas attacks🔹 The new frontline: How Unit 669 has been operating since the start of the warGuy is the author of The Rescue: October 7 Through the Eyes of Israel’s Pararescue Commandos, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the IDF’s most secretive rescue unit.📢 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we go even deeper into the war, the missions, and the challenges ahead. Like, share & subscribe!Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevEditor - Benny GoldmanGraphics - Thomas GirschIntern - Tal Segal & Jesse Sklar [00:00] Coming up [00:17] Monologue [02:55] Welcome and guest intro [07:50] The Rescue - Book [10:19] Jumping back to Oct. 7th [15:22] Toughest rescue of my life [21:35] You never have the opportunity to train for the mission [29:30] There were casualties - I was furious [36:25] How to process the trauma of war [41:00] Flow of information during the early days of the war [51:19] Outro and understanding part. 2Boundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textIn Part 2 of our conversation with John Spencer, we dive into the brutal complexities of Israel’s war against Hamas, the impossible choices Israel faces, and the international double standards being applied. Topics include:Legal Reality vs. Moral Expectations: Is Israel legally obligated to provide aid to Gaza while Hamas controls it?The Dilemma of Hostages: Can military pressure force Hamas to release them, or does negotiation only drive the price up?Hamas’ Human Shield Strategy: How the terror group weaponizes civilians to manipulate international law.Lessons for the West: What democratic nations must learn from Israel’s military innovations and experience in urban warfare.The Broader Conflict: The Iranian-backed Houthi threat and the broader implications of Israel’s war for the free world.🔥 Don’t miss this in-depth, unapologetic analysis of Israel’s ongoing struggle to secure its borders and rescue hostages from the clutches of Hamas.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector/Editor - Benny GoldmanStudio Manager - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschLine Producer - Tal SegalIntern - Jesse Sklar00:00 - Introduction and Overview01:27 - International Law and Humanitarian Aid09:08 - Hostage Crisis and Negotiation Strategies21:00 - Houthi Pirates and Iranian Proxies29:22 - Lessons from Urban Warfare38:24 - Conclusion and Broader ImplicationsBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textDive into an in‑depth conversation with John Spencer as he delivers an inside look at Israel’s government communication strategy and its evolving approach to urban warfare. In this episode of Israel: State of a Nation, John—chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point and a renowned military analyst—breaks down the shifting battlefield dynamics, the double standards of international law, and the challenging questions about hostages, ceasefires, and the future of Gaza.Key Topics Discussed: • How Hamas’ tactics and the “moral trap” shape modern urban warfare • The political stakes and international pressures influencing Israel’s strategy • The role of advanced IDF tactics—including tanks, drones, and infantry innovations—in fighting an enemy entrenched in tunnels • The hostage crisis, failed ceasefire negotiations, and the dilemma of international aid • Lessons from historical battles and how they inform today’s conflictIf you’re looking to understand the complex interplay between military strategy, international law, and government messaging during wartime, this episode is a must‑listen.0:00 - Introduction: The War Israel Must Win5:06 - Hamas’s Strategy: Sacrificing Civilians for Victory14:05 - The Double Standard: Why Israel Can’t Win By Playing By the Rules27:51 - Occupation or Anarchy: Israel’s Impossible Choice34:38 - Israel's Approach to Fighting in Unimaginable TerrainCo-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector/Editor - Benny GoldmanStudio Manager - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschLine Producer - Tal SegalIntern - Jesse SklarBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textIs peace still possible after October 7th and who is even left to fight for it? In this explosive episode, Ittay Flescher, a longtime peace activist and educator, sits down for a raw and revealing conversation about the Israeli government’s communication strategy, the failures of peace movements, and the deep ideological divide in Israeli-Palestinian relations. But what starts as a respectful debate takes an unexpected turn… Key Topics Covered in This Episode:How October 7th shattered long-held beliefs about peaceThe failures of peace activism and uncomfortable truths about Hamas’ supportInside the Israeli government’s messaging strategy—what’s working and what’s failingHow Israel should handle the war of narratives in global mediaWhat Ittay Flescher’s experience inside a peace movement reveals about Palestinian perspectives🔔 Subscribe for more hard-hitting conversations on Israel’s fight for truth.This episode delivers blunt analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for more hard-hitting insights on Israel, global security, and the war beyond Gaza.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector/Editor - Benny GoldmanStudio Manager - Lotem SegevLine Producer - Tal SegalIntern - Jesse SklarChapter Markers: 0:00 - Introduction and Setting the Stage2:36 - How October 7th Changed Ittay Personally7:00 - Debate on Israel’s Response to Hamas10:55 - Visions for Peace: Confederation vs. Security19:06 - Clash of Conceptions and Palestinian Intentions28:24 - Building Partners for Peace and Historical Examples40:55 - Israel’s Role and Path to Peace45:48 - Ittay’s Meltdown and Reflections on Peace PartnersBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Send us a textInside Israel’s Government: The War for Public OpinionWhat is Israel’s strategy to combat Hamas’ global propaganda machine? In this exclusive interview, Salo Aizenberg, an independent scholar and leading voice in exposing misinformation, gives an inside look at how the Israeli government counters Hamas’ disinformation war.Key Topics Covered in This Episode:How Hamas manipulates the media to spread anti-Israel narrativesThe NGO industrial complex that launders Hamas propagandaWhy Israel’s communication strategy struggles against biased global mediaThe real numbers behind humanitarian aid and the famine mythHow Hamas weaponizes international law to secure military advantages🔔 Subscribe for more deep-dive analysis on Israel’s fight for truth.Matti Friedman’s 2014 Essay00:00 - Coming Up00:21 - Monologue02:02 - Intro08:27 - Hamas’ PsyOps Campaign11:47 - Why Does the Media Believe Hamas?18:23 - Reverse Engineering the Laws of War25:58 - Behind the Humanitarian Aid Numbers44:49 - Debunking the Genocide Myth56:12 - A Turning Point in Global Opinion? 59:27 - Wrap UpCo-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector/Editor - Benny GoldmanStudio Manager - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschLine Producer - Tal SegalIntern - Jesse SklarBoundless Insights - with Aviva KlompasIn depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation