This week, Israel was rocked by the story of a young man who served in Gaza that went on a trip to Brazil – and found himself wanted for questioning for war crimes. He managed to flee the country before he was arrested, but questions remained: What does this mean for soldiers and reservists who fought in the war and want to travel abroad? Is this the new normal? Haaretz correspondent Linda Dayan spoke to Amir Tibon, a senior writer and columnist for the Haaretz English edition, about efforts by pro-Palestinian groups to track Israelis who saw combat in Gaza and push for their prosecution, unwittingly aided by the soldiers themselves, who posted pictures and videos from the front, against the IDF’s orders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year has come and gone, and Israel has worn down Hamas and Gaza and decimated the leadership and manpower of Hezbollah, achieving many of its stated objectives since the war began. But one of the most – if not the most – pressing issue has yet to be solved. One hundred people kidnapped by Hamas and other militants in Gaza remain in captivity, over 450 days later. Each week, their families and supporters protest for their release, pleading for a deal that will see their loved ones come home and the fighting cease. But why hasn't this happened yet, and why do the negotiations keep falling apart? Haaretz reporter Linda Dayan spoke to Daniel Shek, a former Israeli ambassador and the head of diplomacy for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, about the negotiations, why the Israeli government won't end the war, the international community's failures and what the future might hold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Franklin Foer, a journalist from The Atlantic, joins to discuss the profound shifts in Jewish identity in light of global events. He highlights how rising antisemitism has left Diaspora Jews feeling vulnerable and in exile. Their conversation delves into the repercussions of the Gaza conflict on American Jewish safety, the generational divides in perspectives on identity, and the challenges faced by progressive Jews in navigating solidarity amidst political tensions. These insights paint a vivid picture of Jewish life in a tumultuous world.

In this special year-end episode, we take an in-depth look at the seismic events that shaped Israel in 2024 through the conversations on the Haaretz Podcast.  It was a year in which the shadow of October 7, 2023 and its aftermath - the death and destruction in Gaza, the hostages still held by Hamas, unprecedented fighting between Israel and Hezbollah - loomed large with the nation grappling with its most devastating multi-front war in decades. Featuring excerpts from interviews with newsmakers and the analysis and insights of expert Haaretz journalists, we explore Israel’s journey through 2024 and its series of dramatic events and ask what has been learned - or not learned - from this ongoing crisis?  The episode includes conversations with Ambassador Dennis Ross, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Jonathan Dekel-Chen - the father of an American-Israeli hostage in Gaza, and Haaretz journalists Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Sheren Falah Saab, Amir Tibon, Ben Samuels and Dahlia Scheindlin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Haaretz Podcast, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noa Landau talks to host Allison Kaplan Sommer about how Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to stay in power since the colossal failure of October 7, 2023.  Landau explains how Netanyahu’s aggressive shaping of the narrative of October 7 and the war in Gaza and Lebanon has helped him retain his grip, with the help of the “poison machine” smearing his enemies, an issue that has been in the spotlight this week following a television exposé on the ways his wife and son directed these campaigns.  The conversation explores the judicial overhaul’s return and what it means for democracy in Israel; Israel’s rightward shift; how Netanyahu’s alliance with the incoming Trump administration factors into his plans; Israel’s growing international isolation; and recent Haaretz interviews with Netanyahu supporters who describe their devotion to him as unconditional (the article will be published in English this weekend).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a candid discussion, Alon Pinkas, a senior columnist and former diplomat, critiques Netanyahu’s self-proclaimed status as a master strategist in the Middle East. He argues that Netanyahu's claims about his role in Syria and Iranian power are inflated and disconnected from reality. Pinkas highlights the absurdity of Netanyahu taking credit for military successes, asserting they are due to the Israeli military, not personal strategy. He further suggests Netanyahu’s narrative stems from ‘delusions of grandeur,’ reshaping perceptions of his leadership amid political turmoil.

Israel, the United States, and European leaders are all missing a unique opportunity in their policy stance and behavior toward the new post-Assad regime in Syria, veteran Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom said on the Haaretz Podcast. Carlstrom, a journalist for The Economist currently based in Dubai, said that the leader of the Islamist faction that led the toppling of Bashar Assad’s regime has made it clear that he has no hostile intentions towards Israel. And yet, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in the country, targeting weapons depots and air defense systems. Israel's decision to deploy troops on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and seize control of a buffer zone between the two countries is, according to Carlstrom, worrying and alienating the Syrian population. "For Syrians, that looks like exploitation, not security," he explained.  Also on the podcast, German journalist Vera Weidenbach discussed how the collapse of Assad’s regime has reignited debates about Syrian refugees in Europe. With asylum applications frozen in Germany, and with other countries considering similar steps, she said refugees face mounting uncertainty as “deeply polarizing” rhetoric intensifies. "You see the far-right dominating the discourse in Germany, celebrating Assad’s fall as a reason for refugees to ‘finally go home,’ creating a toxic atmosphere."    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dahlia Scheindlin, a senior columnist at Haaretz and author focusing on Israeli democracy, joins the discussion on Benjamin Netanyahu’s groundbreaking courtroom testimony amid corruption charges. They explore the charged atmosphere with protests outside, where public opinion is sharply divided. The podcast dives into Netanyahu's courtroom strategies, revealing how he navigates his dual roles and the implications for Israel's judiciary. Tensions rise as they examine the potential erosion of trust in democracy tied to this high-stakes trial.

Amos Harel, Haaretz's senior military analyst, and Hassan Hassan, a Syrian-born journalist and author, dive into the complex aftermath of the Assad regime's collapse. They discuss how the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, with roots in extremist ideologies, may adopt a pragmatic approach towards Israel similar to that of Assad. Harel expresses skepticism about HTS's supposed moderation, while Hassan highlights potential stability implications for Israel. The conversation sheds light on shifting power dynamics and the cautious optimism among Syrians yearning for change.

Avi Scharf, National Security and Open Source Intelligence Editor at Haaretz, discusses his investigation into Israel's military entrenchment in Gaza, revealing the establishment of bases and civilian displacement. Rachel Fink, a Haaretz staff writer, dives into the determined efforts of settler activists, particularly Daniella Weiss, to revive Jewish settlements in the region. The conversation highlights the intertwining of military strategies with political ambitions and the divided sentiments of the Israeli public regarding future settlement initiatives.