For Heaven's Sake

On Friday, December 15 the IDF shot and killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza while they were raising their arms in surrender and waving white flags. The soldiers misidentified these Israelis as terrorists. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi express their sadness and heartbreak as they consider how this grave incident underscores the internal debate about saving the hostages or winning the war. They also examine what this tragic error says about IDF tactics as well as the combat strategy and terror ploys the IDF are facing.   JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more. 

The podcast discusses the threat of Hezbollah in Israel's North and the challenges of fighting a non-conventional war. It explores the reality and limitations of living in Israel and the changing contexts of the war with Gaza. The speaker reflects on the ongoing struggle and global implications of the Northern Front.

Discussions include the contrasting perspectives on civilian casualties in Gaza between Israelis and North American Jews, emotions and mindset of Israeli writers during the war, distinguishing rage from vengeance, contrasting views on the Gaza War and the humanitarian crisis, and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in Israel.

For Jews around the world, the nightmare of October 7th is compounded by the harsh and deafening condemnation of Israel’s military action. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore the dynamics of Jewish power and vulnerability, the ramifications of labeling Israel’s actions as genocidal, and the question of whether antisemitism is at play.    ----  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

How does a country engaged in war grapple with moral issues? On Thursday, November 30, Yuval Kestelman, an Israeli civilian and good Samaritan, was shot and killed by an IDF soldier after shooting a terrorist at a Jerusalem bus stop. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore the ethical implications of labeling this incident either an accident or a crime, the influence of the government’s right-wing agenda and Hilltop Youth roots, and the parallels with the 2017 case of Elor Azaria, a soldier who killed a wounded Palestinian terrorist.    JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  Major funding for For Heaven’s Sake is provided by the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation of Los Angeles. This special episode of the War edition is sponsored by Nancy Cahners. 

We are six days into a ceasefire, and the first wave of hostages have returned home. The national unity that emerged from the attack on October 7 and subsequent war is beginning to fray. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the unrelenting emotional toll of this crisis and the strains on Israel’s togetherness, including mounting international pressure, pre-existing political divides, and the leadership vacuum.    JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

By the third day of the ceasefire, Hamas had released 58 hostages, 40 of them Israeli, in exchange for 78 Palestinian prisoners. While Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi celebrate the captives’ return to their families, they take note of the ways that this hostage situation is different from any the nation has faced in its history. They also consider how this moment challenges the Zionist ethos and explore the dilemmas the country will face as this 4-day truce agreement reaches an end. Will Israel risk the chance to redeem the rest of its captives safely if it returns to fighting against Hamas? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS

What does it mean to have resilience in the face of tremendous loss?  In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss how soldiers are processing their trauma from combat in Gaza and bear witness to Israel’s staggering civilian presence at the funerals of fallen soldiers. They explore the imminent ceasefire, hostage and prisoner exchange, and the ramifications of this deal on Israel’s security and the nation’s psyche.     JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

The podcast explores the Israeli sentiment towards Jewish settlements in Gaza after the war. It discusses the divisions within Israeli society, the desire for separation, and the challenges of peace with Palestinians. The speakers find hope in regional peace agreements and propose a joint Israeli Arab force for rebuilding Gaza.

The podcast explores the emotional connection within the Jewish community and the significance of Shifa Hospital. It delves into the determination of Israeli Jews to attack Hamas even if they are hiding in hospitals. The controversial role of Shifa Hospital in the ongoing war is discussed, as well as the moral responsibility and consequences of supporting the war.