Israel: State of a Nation with Eylon Levy

Send us a textFormer IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus joins Eylon for a deep dive into Israel's strategic challenges on the communications front. Conricus shares his inside perspective on Israel's approach to information warfare, public diplomacy, and the evolving military strategy against Iranian proxies. He candidly discusses the IDF's tactical successes, the shortcomings in Israel's strategic planning, and the urgent need for a more coherent national strategy against Iran's growing influence. Conricus also offers insights into how Israel can improve its international messaging and why it's crucial to prioritize global public relations in the ongoing conflict. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the complexities of modern warfare and the future of Israel's national security.Credits: Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics/Assistant Director - Thomas GirschResearch - Dan Dimendberg00:00 Coming Up00:46 Monologue02:29 Main Titles02:43 Introductions04:03 Comms strategy vs military strategy12:00 Inside the IDF spokesperson unit21:38 Conflicts of messaging to domestic, international, and enemy audiences27:47 How UN and NGOs betrayed Palestinians34:44 Is Israel losing the information war39:11 Jonathan's plan for Israel public dipolomacy49:30 Media bias54:25 Iran strategy04:33 Abba or Aba?Support the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textLahav Harkov, a Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider, shares with Eylon Levy the complexities of media coverage during Israel's ongoing conflict. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the international media's obsession with Israel, the challenges Israel faces in the information war, and the unique aspects of the Israeli and international media landscapes.Harkov offers insights on why the international media seems to focus disproportionately on Israel, often in a critical light, while larger conflicts around the world receive far less attention, if at all. She also addresses the organizational differences between Israeli and Palestinian messaging strategies, with Palestinians appearing more unified in their approach. The conversation touches on the role of journalists in Israel, the skepticism often applied to Israeli sources, and the perceived biases within major news outlets like The New York Times, BBC, CNN, and others.This episode provides an in-depth look at the struggles Israel faces in shaping global perceptions during the war and highlights the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in a complex and often biased media environment.Follow Lahav at: https://jewishinsider.com/Credits: Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics/Assistant Director - Thomas GirschResearch - Odelia GlausiuszSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textHillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, returns for a second visit to presents a decade's worth of evidence exposing the troubling activities within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other supposed "humanitarian" international bodies. He sheds light on the involvement of senior UNRWA officials, revealing their material support for terrorism and the alarming influence they wield over thousands of educators in the region.Hillel and Eylon explore the far-reaching consequences of UNRWA's actions, not just for Israel, but for the stability of the Middle East as a whole. This episode is a critical deep dive into the controversial operations of an organization that has long been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Join us for an eye-opening conversation that challenges the narratives surrounding UNRWA and uncovers the hidden realities of its impact on the region.Credits: Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics/Assistant Director - Thomas GirschResearch - Dan Dimendberg00:00  Coming Up00:38  Monologue02:18  Main Titles02:34  Introduciton03:21  UNRWA's complicity in Oct 709:11  UN Cover-up15:36  The UNRWA Hamas partnership23:06  UNRWA in Lebanon25:54  Philippe Lazzarini's role27:59  UNRWA's real goal, and the countries that support it34:27  Francesca Albanese44:57  The ICJ and Nawaf SalamSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textJake Wallis Simons, editor of The Jewish Chronicle and author of the prescient 2023 book Israelophobia, sits down with Eylon for a deep dive into the latest incarnation of the world's oldest hatred.  Simons breaks down the obsessive hatred of Israel, and the Anti-Semitism that it masks, and traces the evolution of Jew hatred from religious to racial, and now to political forms.The conversation covers the rise of anti-Israel sentiment, particularly among younger generations in the UK, influenced heavily by social media and radical ideologies. Simons expresses concern over the complacency of Western societies, particularly in Britain, where anti-Israel protests have become increasingly prominent. He warns of the dangers of this complacency, suggesting that the West could face serious challenges if it fails to defend its values against growing external threats from countries like Iran, Russia, and China.Simons also discusses the potential implications of a Labour government in the UK under Sir Keir Starmer, particularly regarding UK-Israel relations, and the possibility of diplomatic crises arising from Labour's stance on Israel and Palestine. The episode concludes with a game where Simons critiques prominent figures known for their anti-Israel rhetoric, highlighting the impact of their views on public opinion.This episode provides a deep dive into the intersection of anti-Semitism, politics, and media, offering insights into the challenges facing Israel and the broader implications for Western democracies.Follow Jake at:https://www.thejc.comhttps://x.com/JakeWSimonsCredits: Co-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator and Creative Director - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector - Lotem SegevGraphics/Assistant Director - Thomas GirschResearch - Dan DimendbergSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textWhat’s left of the Israeli left, and what direction will it take now in a post-October 7 world? The Israeli Left, to put it lightly, is in crisis. One of those left-wing figures under attack for speaking up for Israel is Fania Oz-Salzberger, a renowned historian, writer, and history professor. Daughter of the stalwart of the early Israeli left, writer Amos Oz, Fania believes that the Zionist left still holds the keys to peace with our Palestinian neighbors. Fania discusses her optimism rooted in her kibbutz education and resilience despite the challenges facing Israeli society. She believes that hope is a vital force, particularly in facing adversity. She describes the divisiveness in Israeli society as an illness. She emphasizes the importance of the Zionist left's role in pushing forward towards peace and a two-state solution. Despite the setbacks, including the October 7th attacks by Hamas, she remains committed to this pragmatic vision.She criticizes both Hamas and Israeli policies that she believes have hindered the two-state solution. Salzberger advocates for a renewed effort towards peace, involving international and regional cooperation, and stresses the need for a political horizon to de-radicalize both Israeli and Palestinian societies.Salzberger addresses the anti-Zionist left and the challenges posed by their views, emphasizing the importance of a moderate, pragmatic approach to Zionism that balances security with humanism. She also discusses the academic and social challenges faced by pro-Israel voices in the current global climate.Throughout the interview, she underscores the need for nuanced, informed discussions and the importance of maintaining Israel's right to exist and defend itself while striving for a peaceful resolution with the Palestinians.Support the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textIs the world once again turning against the Jews?  David Hazony's prophetic essay, "The War Against the Jews," written shortly after the October 7th massacre was early to identify some disturbing trends.  Hazony discusses the rising global tide of anti-Semitism, the divergent experiences of Jews in Israel and the diaspora, and the urgent need for American Jews to recognize and combat this new wave of hatred. Together with Eylon Levy, they explore the strategic and ideological battle lines being drawn, the critical role of young Zionists, and how the Jewish community must adapt and mobilize in the face of these unprecedented challenges. Don't miss this in-depth conversation on the future of Jewish identity, security, and resilience.David Hazony's Essay "The War Against the Jews": https://sapirjournal.org/war-in-israel/2023/11/the-war-against-the-jews/ Tags:#StateOfTheNation #DavidHazony #JewishIdentity #AntiSemitism #October7th #JewishDiaspora #Israel #Zionism #Podcast #EylonLevyStay up to date at:https://www.stateofanationpodcast.com/X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Support 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 "State of the Nation," Dr. Daniel Gordis delves into the strategic dilemmas facing the Jewish diaspora, particularly American Jews, in light of recent geopolitical events and the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Dr. Gordis explores the internal conflicts within the American Jewish community, the shifting political allegiances post-October 7th, and the broader implications for Jewish identity and safety. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of Jewish history, politics, and the complex relationship between American Jews and Israel.Support the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textHamas supporters' favorite equivocation is "History didn't start on Oct 7".  While cynical and sinster in its intent, this statement is, of course, technically true. But a closer examination of the full history of the conflict, only further exposes the violent Islamist culture at the root of it.For this discussion we are joined by Oren Kessler, a journalist, political analyst, and author of the acclaimed book Palestine 1936, recently awarded the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. His book explores the much-forgotten Arab Revolt of 1936-1939, a violent uprising against the British Mandate and Jewish immigration that you might even call the real first intifada. What has changed since then? What hasn’t? And how do the dynamics of the Arab war against any Jewish presence in this land, way back in 1936, still reverberate in the Middle East today?In this conversation, we'll discuss Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the Oslo Accords, the Six Day War of 1967, and the Arab rebellion of 1936-1939 — a pivotal but often overlooked period of violent upheaval against British rule and Jewish immigration.Join us as Eylon Levy and Oren Kessler unravel how the echoes of past conflicts continue to reverberate in the Middle East today. Gain insights into the untold stories and historical truths that shape the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on the "Israel: State of the Nation."Support the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textLuai Ahmed was raised in the most fundamentalist Islamist culture in Yemen, where hatred of Jews, gays, and Kafirs was not only preached, but practiced.  When he realized that he himself was gay, he had to plot an escape.In this riveting interview, Ahmed recounts his extraordinary journey from his upbringing in Yemen where he was inches from becoming a Houthi himself, and the ideas beliefs his family and friends still hold, to his new life as an advocate for peace and understanding in Sweden.He describes the shock and fear of meeting a Jew for the first time, the realities of Sweden's refugee camps as Islamists indoctrination mills, the tragedy and perversion of Sweden's support in the Middle East, and much more.He is fierce critic of Europe's simplistic approach to multiculturalism and immigration, with a unique perspective on the challenges of integration, and the dangers of domestic radicalization.  He eloquently points out the hypocrisy in Western media and political discourse, where issues like the persecution of Jews in Malmö by immigrants are underreported or ignored due to fears of being labeled racist. Ahmed calls for more balanced and honest discussions about these issues to foster a more inclusive and understanding society, and today he fights alongside Israeli friends for democracy, human rights, and a peaceful future for our region—an activist in the “Builders of the Middle East” movement on social media.Follow Luai Ahmed at:https://www.instagram.com/justluaiAnd The Builders of the Middle East:instagram.com/buildersofmideast/ Support the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/

Send us a textComedian Daniel-Ryan Spaulding was living in the heart of Berlin's libertine arts and culture crowd, when a chance encounter with some Israelis, and ensuing visits to the country transformed everything he had come to believe about Israel.He was back in NYC on Oct 7, and as the details of the Hamas's horrific invasion unfolded, he realized he had found a new calling.  As a self described Power Gay, Daniel took on the mission of communicating the truth about Israel and the erupting war of civilizations to the queer world and beyond.  Drawing on his personal experiences, his education, a healthy dose common sense, and the rarest of human traits -  bravery - Daniel began posting selfie videos that exposed the hypocrisy and ignorance he witnessed all around him.The videos became a international viral sensation, and his excoriating, withering put downs of those celebrating Hamas atrocities forced liberals around the world to realize:  if you support liberation and equality against violence and oppression, Israel’s fight is your fight.  Stay up to date at:https://www.stateofanationpodcast.com/X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/See Daniel's work on: IG: https://www.instagram.com/danielryanspaulding/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danielryanspauldingSupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/