Haaretz Podcast

Aluf Benn, Editor-in-Chief of Haaretz, sheds light on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's calculated strategies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that Netanyahu's steadfast goal has been to prevent a Palestinian state while aligning firmly with his far-right coalition. Benn discusses the implications of intensified military actions in Gaza and critiques the diminishing space for political dissent. Additionally, he emphasizes the challenges faced by journalists in covering the ongoing crisis, advocating for nuanced perspectives amid turmoil.

The "last thing" Rabbi Rachel Timoner says she wanted to do was block the street in front of New York's Israeli consulate as part of a protest calling on Israel to increase the flow of humanitarian aid in Gaza – let alone get arrested for doing so. The Brooklyn rabbi said on the Haaretz Podcast that when she was asked to take part in the demonstration, she found it impossible to say no. "As a leader of the Jewish community here, as a rabbi, I feel that when Israel is acting in a way that they are claiming is representing Judaism, it's part of my job to show my understanding of what Judaism stands for. We feed the hungry, and we care for the sick, and we free the captives, and we care for the human dignity of every life, of every human life." Timoner, the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, spoke on the podcast about the unease among New York Jews since October 7, and the crisis ignited by Zohran Mamdani's victory in the city's Democratic primary. Mamdani, who will once again face voters in the November general election, has been embroiled in controversy over his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and his shifting stance on others on the left calling to “globalize the intifada.”  While the city of New York "does not have a foreign policy," Timoner said, it is a "big deal symbolically and in terms of identity to think about the mayor being an anti-Zionist." Timoner says Mamdani must address the question of "how will Zionist New Yorkers know that they are welcome in this city, safe in this city, and know that they are part of his vision for this city." The fact that despite his views, Mamdani received the most primary votes of any candidate, she added, points to the fact "a lot of Jews are feeling profoundly alienated from the behavior and the speech of this Israeli government, feel that it does not represent our values at all, and that it is a shameful degradation of Judaism. I don't know that you could explain the Jewish support for Mamdani without that factor." Read more: 'It Is Impossible to Watch and Stay Silent' | Dozens Arrested as U.S. Jews Ramp Up Protests Against Gaza Starvation Zohran Mamdani Officially Wins Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor Mamdani Distances Himself From 'Globalize the Intifada' Slogan in Closed-door Meeting With Business LeadersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The foreign press corps in Israel has been battling – unsuccessfully – since the Gaza war began in October 2023 to be permitted access to the Strip in order to report on the conflict and the humanitarian situation there from the ground.  Appearing on the Haaretz Podcast, CNN’s Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond breaks down the status of the legal and public fight by international journalists to enter Gaza, noting that “never before in Israel's history has the Israeli government blocked access to Gaza for this amount of time. We reached that milestone months and months ago, and we have been calling on the Israeli government to allow us into Gaza to be able to do our jobs.” The issue has taken on a new urgency, he added, as starvation in Gaza worsens, and he, his fellow journalists and news organizations feel the immediate need to assist and relieve the Palestinian journalists who have been doing “heroic work under extraordinarily difficult circumstances” reporting until now.  “The primary motivation for our call is not that they aren’t presenting a fair and accurate picture of what's happening. It's because they shouldn't have to shoulder that burden on their own. We have watched as every single person in Gaza has been impacted by the starvation of this man-made crisis that is happening inside the Gaza Strip, and that includes our fellow journalists inside of Gaza,” Diamond said.  In his conversation with host Allison Kaplan Sommer, Diamond also discussed a recent harrowing experience under threat from settlers in the West Bank, as well as his experience transitioning to his post in Jerusalem after covering Donald Trump as CNN's White House correspondent. Read more:  Why Israel Is So Determined to Keep the World's Media Out of Gaza Israel's High Court Blocks All Foreign Journalists From Gaza, Delays Ruling on Appeal for Access 'Unable to Feed Themselves': Four Major Media Outlets Say Gaza Staff Face StarvationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest crisis of mass starvation and death in Gaza seems to have finally cut through the layers of denial and media self-censorship in Israel – and in both Arab and mixed cities, demonstrations against the horrifying humanitarian situation are drawing tens of thousands of protesters.  This week, the Haaretz Podcast includes two firsthand accounts of survival from Gaza: 32-year-old Hana and 24-year-old Abdel Halim. Speaking on the podcast, Haaretz journalist Nagham Zbeedat told host Allison Kaplan Sommer that the situation in Gaza has “gone from bad to unbearable” and it has become “fight to simply remain a human being in Gaza, through all of the starvation, bombing and endless loss.” She also reports on the new wave of protests led by Palestinian citizens of Israel, who have overcome fear of government retribution and taken to the streets en masse to protest the war and government policies that have led to the current dire situation. “I dare say it's the first time in history that we witness a livestreamed starvation war committed against unarmed people,” said Zbeedat.  Also on the podcast: Linda Dayan, a reporter who covers the anti-war protest movement for Haaretz, discusses how demonstrations against the humanitarian disaster in Gaza are becoming more mainstream.  After nearly two years of focusing sharply on the hostages and calling for a cease-fire deal, Dayan said, Jewish Israelis are “putting themselves on the line and countering what was kind of a very well accepted talking point until fairly recently: that the Gazans aren't starving, that there's a lot of aid, and Hamas is just stealing it.” From what she’s seen and heard, Dayan expects the protests focused on hunger and death in Gaza to grow.  “I have a feeling there's going to be more and more of these until something changes,” she said, adding that she believes that the Netanyahu government’s decision to allow “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting “is partially because some people are listening to the street.” Subscribe to Haaretz.com for up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Israel and the Middle East in English.  Read more: 'We and Our People in Gaza Are One': Over 10,000 Protest Gaza War and Hunger Crisis in Major Arab Israeli City 'We're Feeling Their Pain': Arab Israeli Leaders Declare Three-day Hunger Strike Over Gaza Starvation Experts Warn: Gaza Children Facing Acute Malnutrition, Long-term Medical Support NeededSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decisively lost his Knesset majority following the exit of the two major ultra-Orthodox parties that were pillars of his coalition, which now holds only 49 seats in the 120-member parliament.  But celebration is premature for those hoping for swift elections that could lead to the end of his rule, warns Haaretz columnist and political strategist Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin on the Haaretz Podcast.  The ultra-Orthodox may have left the government in a “very demonstrative way, but if they don't actually join a vote that would bring down the government and launch early elections, it doesn't really matter,” Scheindlin said.  As the Knesset enters its summer recess with a minority in power, only reconvening in October, “their exit from the coalition is essentially a matter of holding a political sword over the head of Netanyahu, over the government's head, saying ‘we are poised to bring down this government now and launch early elections’“ – but elections are far from a certainty.  What is becoming increasingly certain for most Israelis, Scheindlin told podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer, is the fact that the government has “made it extremely clear that its political interests override the good of the state” by doing everything in its power to advance the law the ultra-Orthodox are pressuring them to pass, exempting Haredi men from military service at a time when the country needs manpower more desperately than ever.  Subscribe to Haaretz.com for up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Israel and the Middle East in English.  Read more from Dahlia Schiendlin in Haaretz: Bolting Parties, Baffling Polls: Are Elections in Israel Imminent? What Are Netanyahu's Chances of Winning? Netanyahu's Trial Is a Seductive Spectacle. But Dead Gazan Children Matter Far More Netanyahu Should End the Gaza War Now – for His Own Sake, if Not for Israel'sSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bar Peleg, a Haaretz reporter specializing in Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal challenges, discusses the significant interplay between the Israeli Prime Minister's ongoing criminal trials and the Gaza conflict. Peleg reveals how Netanyahu's legal troubles have influenced his policy decisions, impacting Israel's governance during crises. He also highlights the surprising direct involvement of Donald Trump in these legal matters, including calls for a pardon and the ramifications of U.S. interference on investigations like Qatargate. This situation raises questions about the influence of foreign politics on Israeli justice.

In this insightful discussion, Chuck Freilich, former deputy national security advisor and expert in Israeli security, shares his perspectives on recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria amidst evolving diplomatic channels. He highlights the surprising willingness of the new Syrian government to engage in peace talks, despite the current tensions. Freilich argues that the Israeli approach might miss a crucial chance for dialogue, particularly given Syria’s strong anti-Iranian stance, suggesting a complex interplay of interests that merits careful navigation.

Judy Maltz, Haaretz's Jewish world editor, discusses an intriguing trend of Israeli-born rabbis moving to the U.S. and Canada to address a growing clergy shortage in Reform and Conservative synagogues. She reveals that while fewer North American Jews are training for rabbinical roles, the numbers of those seeking ordination in Israel are on the rise. Maltz highlights the appeal of better salaries and societal respect abroad, contrasting it with the struggle for legitimacy these rabbis face in their home country.

Aviva Siegel, a released hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Azza, shares her harrowing experience after 51 days in captivity. She discusses the urgent need for a cease-fire deal aimed at rescuing more hostages, while expressing deep concern for those still imprisoned, like twin brothers Gali and Ziv Ber. Aviva emphasizes the emotional turmoil of families facing uncertainty and the trauma that lingers even after release. Her poignant plea captures the struggle for hope amidst fear, urging decision-makers to prioritize the safe return of every captive.

Gilad Kariv, an ordained Reform rabbi and Member of Knesset, discusses the rising tide of religious extremism within the Likud Party, warning that it’s not the same party it was decades ago. He shares a shocking personal experience of being ejected from a Knesset committee for advocating Reform Judaism. Kariv raises concerns about the integrity of upcoming elections, claiming tactics to suppress Arab voters are emerging. He calls for proactive political engagement to safeguard democracy in Israel amidst increasing intolerance and division.