Haaretz Podcast

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.

In a revealing discussion, Rachel Fink, a Haaretz correspondent covering the Israeli protest movement, and Esther Solomon, the publication's Editor-in-chief, dissect the fallout from a controversial antisemitism conference in Israel. Solomon criticizes the government's invitation to far-right politicians linked to xenophobia, sparking outrage among mainstream Jewish leaders. Fink also highlights the growing protests against the government, with demonstrators pushing for change amid a backdrop of political instability.

In this gripping discussion, Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American IDF soldier taken hostage, shares his heartbreaking perspective on the ongoing crisis. He passionately advocates for better government efforts to secure the release of hostages, expressing frustration over being sidelined in negotiations. Chen reveals the emotional turmoil of families caught in a brutal game of uncertainty, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative diplomatic strategies. His unwavering commitment to finding his son highlights the human cost behind political decisions.

Haaretz Jewish World editor Judy Maltz joins this episode of the Haaretz Podcast to discuss the crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists in America. According to Maltz, the Trump administration’s targeting of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil for deportation as punishment for leading disruptive anti-Israel protests is “pulling the American Jewish community apart.” Khalil is “no Mother Teresa or Righteous Among the Nations” and is “probably pro-Hamas,” said Maltz, but there is “no evidence” Khalil has committed crimes that justify deportation.  “It’s a very complicated place to be a liberal Jew today in America,” she noted. “Whose side are you on? Do you come out against attempts to combat antisemitism on campus? What are you supposed to do?” Also on the podcast, Haaretz columnist and Israeli intelligence expert Yossi Melman explains why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to wait until this week to fire the head of the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security service, and why it is so worrying.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruth Patir had been, in her own words, an “artist without art” over the past year. Until this week.  Patir’s inventive feminist video installation "(M)otherland" was set to debut in the Israel Pavilion at the Venice Biennale last April - under the shadow of protests against the Gaza War and efforts to oust her from the festival.  Ultimately, she made a controversial decision to keep the exhibit intact but shuttered behind closed doors, with a note on the door saying: “The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a cease-fire and hostage release agreement is reached.” That never happened throughout the seven months of the Biennale, and, as a result, her work was never seen.  As (M)otherland finally meets the public at the Tel Aviv Museum this week, Patir joined Haaretz Podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer to talk about the firestorm in Venice, the challenges for Israeli artists creating during war, and innovative use of motion capture technology and Judean fertility figurines to tell a deeply personal story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amos Harel, a senior analyst on security and defense at Haaretz, dives into the intricacies of U.S.-Hamas negotiations during Trump's presidency. He reveals how Trump’s frustrations with stalled talks led to clandestine discussions, sparking debate about Israel's response. Harel critiques IDF leadership changes amidst rising tensions and highlights the failures revealed in the October 7 probe. He emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and independent inquiry while illustrating the emotional toll on families of hostages, all against the backdrop of looming conflict.