Haaretz Podcast

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.

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, delves into the troubling rise of antisemitism in the U.S., emphasizing the role of influential figures in normalizing hate. She discusses how most American Jews, a predominantly liberal community, oppose Trump's divisive policies despite some appreciation for his recent actions. Spitalnick highlights the complexity of Jewish identity amidst political polarization and stresses the urgent need for solidarity and diverse opinions to safeguard democratic values and combat escalating threats.

Aluf Benn, Editor-in-chief of Haaretz, discusses the alarming support for Donald Trump's Gaza plan among Israelis. He highlights how this plan, which threatens the displacement of nearly 2 million Palestinians, provides a political advantage to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Benn critiques the moral implications of this popularity, pointing out the dangerous alignment with far-right factions in Israel. They delve into the entwined political dynamics between Trump and Netanyahu, emphasizing the severe ramifications for both local and international relations.

Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of Israeli hostage Omri Miran, passionately advocates for the plight of hostages. He shares his disappointment with Prime Minister Netanyahu's refusal to meet families, juxtaposed against the backdrop of chilling stories from returning captives. Lavi highlights the urgency for effective negotiations as Miran remains in peril. Delving into the emotional struggles of young children like Alma missing their father, he encapsulates the pain of absence and the relentless hope families cling to amid the turmoil.

Alon Pinkas, a seasoned Haaretz columnist and former Israeli Consul General in New York, shares keen insights on the fallout from Trump and Netanyahu's recent meeting. He highlights how Netanyahu's supporters may misread the optimistic tone surrounding Trump's Gaza plan. Pinkas argues that Trump's unfeasible vision, which includes relocating Gaza's residents, overshadows Netanyahu's failure to sway U.S. support away from cease-fire negotiations with Hamas. The discussion further delves into the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian relations and regional diplomacy.