Haaretz Podcast

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.

Peter Beinart’s new book, “Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning” confronts his “horror” - even as a long-time harsh critic of Israeli policies - at the devastation that has taken place over the past 15 months.  “In 2023, I wrote about my concerns about the possibility of ethnic cleansing on a large scale, as opposed to the small scale ethnic cleansing that has been going on for years,” Beinart said, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast. “But I really could not imagine what we've seen in Gaza - which is basically the destruction of an entire society, most of the buildings destroyed, most of the hospitals, schools, universities, agriculture, the necessities of life.”  But even worse, he explained, was the “widespread embrace of mass expulsion, not just by people on the Israeli and American right, but by people who were considered moderate, centrist, reasonable, and thoughtful. That's the catastrophe, the horror - and I would even say the evil - that I could not imagine.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vera Weidenbach, a German journalist from Table Briefings, and David Issacharoff, an editor at Haaretz, dive into the unsettling rise of Germany's far-right AfD party. Weidenbach warns of the party's neo-Nazi roots and its dangerous normalization in German politics. Issacharoff highlights the Israeli perspective, focusing on Netanyahu's support for the conservative CDU. They discuss the implications for both countries and the nuanced responses from Jewish communities regarding this political shift, raising concerns about alliances amidst global extremism.

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, discusses the unchecked antisemitism leading to tragic events, asserting that anti-Zionism equates to antisemitism. He emphasizes the urgency of the crisis while urging humanity in the face of inhumanity, particularly regarding Palestinians. Greenblatt reflects on the backlash from his social media response to Elon Musk's gesture, admitting he should have framed his message more thoughtfully. The conversation examines the role of social media in amplifying hate speech and the political dynamics surrounding the Jewish community today.

Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, shares his firsthand experiences during the turmoil following the October 7 attacks. He emphasizes that any post-war settlement for Gaza must involve the removal of Hamas. Shapiro reflects on the emotional strains faced by U.S. officials during this crisis and critiques Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, labeling it unrealistic and unlikely. He provides insights into the complexities of hostage negotiations and the broader implications for U.S.-Israel relations amid ongoing regional conflicts.