Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy

Send us a textToo often the black community and the Jewish community are pitted against each other in the US. Marked by outsiders as rival minorities fighting for a limited space on the political stage. But this narrative is driven from outside the community by those looking to bring both groups down, while serving their own interests. Eylon sits down with Dumisani Washington the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel. He is also the former Diversity Outreach Coordinator for the over 10-million-member Christians United for IsraelDumisani is a pastor, professional musician and author whose latest book is the second edition of Zionism & the Black Church: Why Standing with Israel Will be a Defining Issue for Christians of Color in the 21st Century.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 GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textWhat is going on in Lebanon today? We speak with a man who has been on the ground in south Lebanon, and has seen with his own eyes the terrifying infrastructure Hezbollah has built there. With entire villages set up to hide the terror army’s military assets, the IDF is now forced to go house-to-house, tree-to-tree to find the whole city blocks that were built underneath. Major (Res.) Doron Spielman has spent decades working in the IDF spokespersons’ office, helping the world to understand how the IDF operates. He describes in detail what he saw with his own eyes. He and Eylon sit for an in-depth conversation detailing how Hezbollah have been planning a full-blown invasion into Israel’s north. 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 GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textHow does Israel explain itself to the Arab world? With so few official lines of communication in Arabic, one man has taken up the cause as a one man Arabic Citizen Spox, having participated in over 800 interviews since the start of the war. Rabbi Elhanan Miller lives in Jerusalem, graduated with a master's degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies from the Hebrew University. In 2019 he was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi at Beit Midrash Harel. Today, Miller divides his time between teaching, interviews and research at the Hartman Institute to run the "People of the Book" project , which aims to tell the Arab and Muslim world about Judaism and the Jews. Eylon sits down for a fascinating conversation about the future of relations across the Arab-Israeli world and how we are going to change narratives. 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 GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textMany beauty queens dream of world peace, but few literally go out and do it. Noa Cochva was crowned Miss Israel 2021 and represented Israel at Miss Universe 2021, yet just a couple of years later she found herself in uniform again fighting for Israel in the wake of the horrors of the October 7th massacre. When it comes to fighting for Israel, Noa knows what it means to be on the front lines and now also serves as an activist for the country, taking to the streets of America, where she has been pummeled by protestors and threatened at knife point, just for the crime of standing up for Israel. Eylon sits down with Noa to discuss her work and to ask what a beauty queen can do to help Israel win the PR battle as this war rages on. 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 GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textAntisemitism is on the rise throughout the United States, which has seen an “explosion” of anti-Jewish hate crimes since October 7, 2023. Jonathan Greenblatt is the CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where he leads efforts to combat antisemitism, hate, and extremism. Since taking the helm in 2015, Greenblatt has focused on defending Jewish communities while expanding the ADL’s work to address broader issues of hate impacting society. A former advisor in the Obama administration, he is known for using technology and partnerships to amplify the ADL’s impact and create safer, more inclusive communities for Jewish people and all vulnerable groups.Jonathan focuses on the theme of "a year of unprecedented antisemitism", leading up to the one-year anniversary of Oct 7, discussing last year's rise in campus antisemitism, key antisemitic trends post-Oct 7 from our research, and insights from his recent trip to Israel. Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a text“Australia’s silence is being heard” says Australia’s former Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg. A man with a deep-rooted connection to his Jewish heritage and strong support for Israel. Raised in a Jewish family, Frydenberg has been vocal about his commitment to Jewish causes and has championed close Australia-Israel relations throughout his career. Known for his leadership as Australia’s Treasurer, Frydenberg has consistently advocated for policies that foster mutual support and collaboration between Israel and Australia, underscoring his dedication to both his heritage and his vision of a secure, united global community.In this conversation, Eylon and Josh tackle the role of Israel and the diaspora in fighting for Israel’s right to sovereignty and self-defense and the need for allies the world over to understand that they play a pivotal role in defending democratic, liberal principles when they stand up for Israel.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansEditor/Assistant Director - Benny GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textPeter Berkowitz, former Director of Policy Planning at the US Department of State, offers a candid, insider’s view of how U.S. foreign policy is shaped and often hindered by entrenched bureaucratic dynamics. In this interview, filmed at the Hudson institute in Washington D.C., Eylon Levy and Berkowitz reflect on the global implications of the October 7th Hamas attack and critiques the failure of Western diplomacy to adequately respond to the Iranian-backed threat. He discusses the ideological divides within the State Department, the persistence of flawed policies like the two-state solution, and the limitations of diplomatic engagement with Iran. Berkowitz also highlights the West’s dangerous complacency regarding Iran’s influence in the Middle East and how U.S. foreign policy could be reoriented to more effectively support Israel and deter regional adversaries. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of decision-making in Washington and the broader challenges facing international relations.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansEditor - Benny GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textIsrael is being attacked by the Iranian regime and its proxy armies on SEVEN FRONTS…. But multiple dimensions. There’s a media war. There’s also a legal war. Lawfare. The way international law is being twisted, legal definitions that only apply to Israel… the weaponization of international institutions. Natasha Hausdorff is a British barrister specializing in public international law, human rights, and national security. Hausdorff has been involved in high-profile legal cases, particularly those concerning national security issues and international humanitarian law. Hausdorff is a fierce advocate for Israel, frequently taking on public debates and speaking engagements to take the fight for Israel to the global stage. Alongside her legal career, she is known for her work in policy circles, often speaking on topics related to international law and Middle Eastern geopolitics. 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 GoldmanSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textIn this thought-provoking episode of Israel: State of a Nation, Eylon Levy is joined by Seth Frantzman, Middle East analyst and author, to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Frantzman provides deep insights into the October 7th massacre, likening it to historical events like Pearl Harbor and 9/11, and examines the broader geopolitical implications for Israel and the West. The conversation covers Hamas’s strategy, the international response, and the enabling role NGOs play in Hamas's cynical strategy. Frantzman’s new book on the October 7th war sheds light on the failures that led to the attack and the challenges ahead for Israel. A must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the stakes of this war and its global impact.Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics/Assistant Director - Thomas GirschAssistant Director - Benny Goldman00:00  Coming Up00:50  Opening monologue03:14  Main Titles03:29  Naming The Oct 7 War 08:18  Global significance of Oct 713:31  Hamas's war goals24:20  How did Israel's defenses fail?30:09  Can Hamas be contained?32:59  Hamas's int'l collaborators42:01  What Iran has learned about a post-US MId-east.45:57  IDF's war scorecard52:25  The pitfalls of reconsruction56:40  Will the next Oct 7 happen in Judea and Samaria?59:56  The futility of appeasement1:02:26  The costs of losing the warSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textIn this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Israeli Olympic windsurfing champion, Tom Reuveny. Born in Ramat Gan, raised between Israel and Ireland, Tom’s unique upbringing fueled his passion for windsurfing at a young age. Guided by his coach, Gal Friedman—Israel’s first Olympic gold medalist.Tom shares how his childhood love for the sea shaped his path, his high-adrenaline lifestyle, and how the ongoing conflict in Israel impacted his focus as he competed under immense emotional pressure. With his brother serving in the IDF during the war, Tom explains how this victory was about more than personal achievement—it was a moment of pride for an entire nation.Join us as we explore the mindset, dedication, and resilience behind one of Israel's brightest Olympic stars in the face of personal and national challenges.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 GoldmanResearcher - Akiva GluckSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/