Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy

Send us a textIn this compelling episode of State of a Nation, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy engages in a riveting conversation with Special Forces reservist Stav Cohen. Broadcasting from our new set in Mindspace LaGuardia, Tel Aviv, Stav shares his extraordinary journey as a lawyer-in-training, NGO leader, and front-line soldier.Discover first-hand accounts of Stav’s experiences in Gaza, from navigating Hamas’s use of human shields to the complexities of urban warfare. Learn about the critical role international public opinion plays in Israel’s military and diplomatic strategy, and the psychological toll of combat. Stav also sheds light on the humanitarian efforts of Israeli soldiers and his personal mission to counter misinformation about the IDF.Join us for an eye-opening exploration of the moral dilemmas and challenges faced by Israeli forces as they confront an enemy entrenched within civilian spaces. Like, comment, and subscribe to stay informed on stories that challenge narratives and deepen understanding.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanGraphics - Thomas GirschResearcher - Tal Segal 0:00 - Coming up0:15 - Monologue1:57 - Welcome5:48 - 2014 war in Gaza9:12 - Does the information war matter?13:52 - The IDF's mission in Gaza17:50 - Hamas fighting from civilian areas22:17 - The rules of engagement27:40 - Hamas human shield strategy31:52 - Stav's injuries33:30 - The IDF's reputation38:14 - Finishing the job in Gaza40:25 - The hostage crisis43:29 - Citizen SpokespersonFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textGen Z is shown time and again to be the American generation that stands most against Israel. But there are Gen Zionist heroes among them that are standing up for Israel and pushing back against the misinformation machine every day. Eylon Levy went to the Z3 conference in Palo Alto, to talk to the students who are on the front lines of the battle for hearts and minds on campuses across the country. The Z3 Project is an initiative of the Oshman Family JCC. Their objective is to foster a fresh approach to Jewish engagement in the 21st century. They are dedicated to fostering a thriving Jewish future through meaningful dialogue between Diaspora Jewry and Israel. They believe in the power of Jewish Peoplehood, mutual understanding, and a shared destiny to unite Jewish communities across the globe.Links:Website: https://z3project.org Youtube: http://youtube.com/@Z3Project Social:Instagram: instagram.com/z3project/ Facebook: facebook.com/z3project Twitter: twitter.com/z3_project/ Freedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textThe Jewish world, both in Israel and globally, has encountered a surge of antisemitism. Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel's special envoy for combating antisemitism, is uniquely positioned to shed light on this pressing issue. She assumed this role just weeks before the tragic October 7 Hamas attack.A former Knesset member with the Blue and White party, Cotler-Wunsh is an authority in international human rights law, specializing in freedom of speech, civil liberties, and multiculturalism. Before stepping into her current diplomatic position, she served as a research fellow at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism and was involved in high-profile advocacy efforts, including campaigns for the return of fallen Israeli soldiers.In her role, Cotler-Wunsh travels extensively, engaging with global antisemitism envoys, policymakers, and Jewish leaders to advocate for robust international strategies against rising antisemitism. Guided by her personal experience and insights from her father, former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, she underscores the intrinsic connection between Israel’s security and the well-being of Jewish communities worldwide. Deeply committed to preserving the continuity of the Jewish people, she views this moment as a pivotal opportunity to address the challenges faced by Jewish communities in an increasingly divided world.IHRA definition of antisemitism: https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitismCo-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanGraphics - Thomas GirschResearcher - Tal Segal 0:00 - Coming up0:30 - Monologue1:30 - Welcome - Attack on Irwin Cotler4:20 - Threat of Iranian regime7:07 - Extremism in Canada11:50 - Israel Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism19:35 - Oct. 7 and the failure of "never again"21:50 - IHRA Definition of antisemitism30:37 - Alternative definitions of antisemitism35:00 - Hostage advocacy42:25 - Conclusion of the war and Israeli security45:25 - Refugees and UNRWA50:05 - ConclusionFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textHow do you count the dead in Gaza? And really when we’re talking about tens of thousands killed does a miscount here or there really make such a difference? The answer is yes, when that misinformation is used to accuse the IDF of purposefully targeting civilians and committing genocide. Andrew Fox has led the latest report by the Henry Jackson Society, Questionable Counting: Analysing The Death Toll From The Hamas-Run Ministry Of Health In Gazahttps://henryjacksonsociety.org/publications/questionable-counting/ An in-depth analysis of the active misrepresentation of deaths by Hamas and how these numbers are weaponized by international organisations to make false claims against Israel on the global stage.Andrew is an experienced combat veteran, who served in the British Army from 2005 to 2021, completing three tours in Afghanistan, including one attached to the US Army Special Forces. He served in the Parachute Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group, with additional tours in Bosnia, the Middle East, and Northern Ireland.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanGraphics - Thomas GirschResearcher - Tal Segal 0:00 - Coming up0:20 - Monologue4:55 - Welcome and intro to report7:27 - Battlefield perspective11:02 - Drilling down into the numbers - death ratios19:00 - False Hamas claims of 70% of deaths were women and children27:50 - Criticism of report death total32:20 - Hamas' past lies of combat deaths41:58 - Importance of combat ratio metric45:57 - How armies manage civilian deaths50:23 - Hamas tunnel network58:00 - What is a proportionate strike?1:03:13 - Media's coverage of Gaza1:08:10 - Challenging the narrative1:10:45 - Wrap upFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textThe history of modern Israel is so often linked to the founding of the state in 1948. Failing to consider the pre-history of a conflict that many would argue kicked off in force with the Hebron Massacre of 1929.Yardena Schwartz has had an esteemed career as an award-winning journalist and Emmy-nominated producer and is now the author of Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict. A seminal look at the conflict that began what is now almost one hundred years of unending war. Eylon sits down with Yardena for a wide-ranging discussion on the history of this region and how the repercussions of a century-old conflict are still very much being felt today.Buy Ghosts of a Holy War: https://www.amazon.com/product/dp/145494921X/?tag=unionsquare Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansEditor/Director - Benny GoldmanGraphics - Thomas GirschFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textAmi Kozak is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a comedian, musician, and impressionist. Since October 8th he has been using his platform to speak up against the rise of antisemitism and anti zionism. Eylon sits down with Ami for a wide-ranging conversation about the need to fight hate with laughter and why the Jewish people and their allies around the world can’t stay silent on anti-semitism.Plus get an ‘impression’ of what leaders and haters around the world would say if they came to sit in the chair with Eylon on this State of a Nation. Freedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textA seasoned diplomat with a wealth of experience in international relations, Ya-Ping (Abby) Lee has been the Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv since January 2022, where she leads the mission in promoting Taiwan-Israel relations across a wide range of sectors, including consular services, economic and commercial affairs, and cultural exchange.  Since October 7th, she’s been outspoken in her support and solidarity with the Israeli people as natural democratic allies against authoritarian threats. Eylon sits down with the Taiwanese representative to discuss the key to saving these two democracies in the face of existential threats.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textSince 1997, Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi has been the founder and head of the Chabad house at Harvard University, one of the largest Chabad campus operations in the United States. In the aftermath of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Zarchi and investor Bill Ackman organized a showing of Bearing Witness, which showed scenes of extreme violence recorded during and after the incursion, on the Harvard campus. The showing was the first campus audience to view the film. Eylon sits down with Rabbi Zarchi to discuss the ongoing issues faced by Jews on Harvard campus, Zarchi’s criticism of Harvard's stance on antisemitism and described "an atmosphere of fear for Jewish students" while speaking in front of Harvard president Claudine Gay and that Harvard does not allow Chabad to keep a menorah displayed overnight due to fears of vandalism.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textIn the wake of October 7th the battle lines were drawn not just in the Middle East, but around the world. And while many progressives decided to pin their flag to Hamas, there were those that realized a terror army committing atrocities wasn’t the cause they wanted to fight for.Eylon sits down with Brianna Wu, the Executive Director of Rebellion Pac, a software developer and Democratic political operative. Trans activist, queer, progressive and in a minority among her circles as a friend of Israel. Together they discuss the growing madness of progressive causes rooting for the violence and hatred of Hamas. The Queers for Palestine movement and how people can root for a movement that wishes them dead. And the war being battled online for the hearts and minds of the next generation of Americans.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansGraphics - Thomas GirschEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a text[A warning to listeners this episode contains content that some may find distressing]One year ago, Aviva Siegel, a U.S. citizen, was held captive in Gaza for 51 days before her release under a week-long agreement last November. Her husband, Keith Siegel, 65, remains in captivity. Since gaining her freedom, Aviva has become a tireless advocate, working to keep attention on her husband’s situation and urging international leaders to secure his release. Her journey now embodies resilience and public activism as she balances supporting her family with her relentless campaign on Keith’s behalf.Eylon sits down with Aviva to discuss her time in captivity, the return of Keith, what life has been like in the year since release and how the US and Israel can fight for the return of hostages. This wide ranging conversation pulls no punches in taking a hard look at the current situation on the ground in Israel from a perspective unique to Aviva. Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanFreedom to LearnChampioning school choice, defending parental rights, & exposing the harm caused by unionsListen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/