Haaretz Podcast

Benjamin Netanyahu's government may have announced plans to intensify its Gaza offensive and call up thousands of reservists – but "many Israelis, and especially the IDF top brass, are actually hoping that President [Donald] Trump will again intervene and reach some kind of deal," Haaretz senior security analyst Amos Harel said on the Haaretz Podcast. Pressure from the American president will be the only way Netanyahu can resist the "huge political pressure to proceed" with the escalation and a long-term military presence in Gaza placed on him by far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Harel said. "Unless Trump decides to intervene, we might be facing a massive military operation, and in my view, that would be a disaster." Speaking with podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer, Harel assessed the war's multiple fronts in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran, emphasizing that in nearly every case, the will – and whims – of the U.S. president plays a decisive role. "It's quite clear that Trump is less interested than before and talks less about the Palestinian conflict and the Gaza Riviera idea – it may be because he fears failure there. He seems to prefer to invest his time and efforts in the Saudis, Emiratis, and Qataris who are offering him trillions of dollars in deals in weapons or technology. This is what Trump is focused on."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Orly Erez-Likhovski was worried when she heard about the threats against attendees of a screening of the annual alternative Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Ceremony in the city of Ra'anana set to be held at a Reform synagogue on the eve of Israel's Memorial Day. Erez-Likhovski, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), told Haaretz Podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer how the "emotional and moving" ceremony was disrupted by hundreds of opponents chanting outside, throwing stones at the building, and intruders attempting to break in and disrupt it. At the end, when police escorted her to her car, a stone smashed her windshield and injured her. "It was very, very, very scary," she said. "I've been to many protests in the last 20 years because of my work at IRAC. But I've never seen such an amount of violence and hatred in my life. It was really a very, very frightening experience." Despite the violence, Erez-Likhovski said she was "proud" of the congregation for refusing to back down and cancel the event because of the hate and incitement. "Giving in to extremism is dangerous in itself, but also because it's a slippery slope. I think we have to stand up for our values." She said she was disappointed by the police's failure to handle the situation and the "insufficient" reaction of the country's leaders, who failed to condemn the violence. "I would expect everyone to condemn this, because it seems like a very basic thing to say you should not come and hit people and try to kill them because they think differently. Unfortunately, this is not obvious in the current state of affairs in Israel."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noam Tirosh, head of Communication Studies at Ben-Gurion University, dives into the emotional landscape of Yom HaZikaron and a unique commemoration project. He discusses the grassroots movement of friends and families creating stickers to honor fallen soldiers, revealing their rich identities beyond military duty. Tirosh highlights the stickers' profound impact on public memory and mourning, showcasing how they transform personal stories into a collective narrative. The conversation beautifully captures the lived experiences of those who served, enriching the understanding of loss.

Ittay Flescher, like most peace activists who devote their lives to cultivating Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, has gotten used to being called dangerously deluded and naive.  “I hear it at least five or six days a week. Recently, there have been thousands of online comments saying that I am naive,” he told host Allison Kaplan Sommer on the Haaretz Podcast, in a conversation about his newly published book “The Holy and the Broken: a cry for Israeli-Palestinian peace from a land that must be shared.”  After teaching about Israel and the Middle East in his native Australia, Flescher immigrated to Israel from Australia six years ago. Since then, he has brought together Israeli and Palestinian teens aged 12 to 16 through Kids4Peace, a program where they talk about religion, identity, history, learn each other’s languages, play games and attend summer camp. The goal of the exercise is for participants to “become less afraid of one another and build friendships and build trust.” Since October 7, that work has become significantly much more challenging. In his book, he writes of these challenges – including a personal crisis of faith sparked by seeing Palestinian teens he worked with expressing support for the actions of Hamas on October 7 on social media.  “I think anyone that works in peacebuilding and says nothing changed in the last year is not telling the truth,” he said. But at the same time, he stressed, “There are also hundreds of other stories of people who, as a result of these kinds of experiences and dialogue, are speaking out against October 7 if they're Palestinians. And Israelis who are speaking out against the destruction and bombing of Gaza.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bronagh Hinds, a women's rights and civil rights activist instrumental in the Good Friday Agreement, shares insights from Northern Ireland’s peace process. She draws parallels between Ireland's conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, emphasizing the importance of equality and human rights. Hinds discusses the need for grassroots movements, particularly those led by women, in fostering dialogue and reconciliation. Amid diplomatic tensions, she encourages bold, collaborative steps towards peace, reflecting on the universal desire for change in conflicted societies.

Jon Polin, father of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, shares his heart-wrenching story and the family's tireless advocacy for hostages in Gaza. He discusses the challenges of honoring Passover while grappling with grief, suggesting meaningful gestures like placing a lemon on the table to symbolize the bitterness of the hostage struggle. Polin emphasizes the importance of leaning into pain instead of sugarcoating it, and the urgent need for political accountability and action in the ongoing crisis.

Nir Hasson, a Haaretz journalist, sheds light on the uninvestigated killings of innocents in Gaza and the shocking deaths of aid workers. He expresses his concerns over the lack of accountability for the IDF soldiers involved in civilian casualties, stating there have been no trials to date. Hasson also discusses the dire humanitarian crisis brewing in Gaza and the disconnect between media reporting and public understanding. He highlights the serious implications of military actions on the families living through this nightmare.

Amir Tibon, a Haaretz columnist known for his keen insights into Israeli politics, discusses the alarming intersection of Prime Minister Netanyahu's legal troubles and the ongoing conflict with Hamas. He describes the situation as a 'nightmare scenario' with 59 hostages still held captive. Tibon also reveals how political maneuvering, particularly regarding the Shin Bet chief appointment, reflects internal party pressures. His analysis sheds light on the precarious balance between national security and political scandal amidst escalating violence.

Meital Pinto, a senior law lecturer and activist, discusses the alarming threats to democracy in Israel amidst ongoing conflict. She highlights the politicization of the Judicial Appointments Committee, warning it undermines judicial independence. Pinto raises concerns about proposed changes to electoral laws that could silence Arab political parties, jeopardizing the opposition's chances in future elections. She fears that the erosion of democratic checks may lead to an environment where free elections become impossible, emphasizing the urgent need for public awareness and advocacy.

Bar Peleg, a Haaretz journalist who first uncovered Qatargate, joins the discussion to dissect this explosive scandal involving Qatari influence on Israeli politics. He reveals how close aides to Netanyahu have been entangled with Qatari interests, raising red flags about potential impacts on public safety and trust. The conversation dives into Netanyahu's controversial attempts to shield himself from investigation, the complex aid dynamics to Gaza, and the darker implications of disinformation campaigns. This tension-laden narrative unfolds like a political thriller.