18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers

Israel should not be a religious state, Rabbi David Stav says, and then its citizens could more freely welcome religion into their lives.
The Chief Rabbi of Shoham, an Israeli town with a large secular populace, Rabbi Stav has long dedicated his life to bridging the social divides between religious and secular life. After the Rabin assassination, he and other rabbis founded Tzohar—an organization that "makes Jewish life accessible to secular Israelis—which received the 2009 Presidential Award for Volunteers.
Rabbi Stav was previously a candidate for Israel's Chief Rabbinate and sought to revolutionize the relationship between religion and state.
Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including democracy, IDF drafts, and Messianism.
This interview was held on Sept. 11.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. How have your religious views changed since Oct. 7?
4.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
7. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
8. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
9. Should Israel be a religious state?
10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
11. Should all Israelis serve in the army?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption?
15. Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel?
16. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

Until Hamas is gone, Haviv Rettig Gur says, Gaza will be unable to recover after the war.
The Times of Israel journalist and political analyst has emerged as a leading voice for the Israeli public and the Jewish world for deeper understandings of the war's developments. Haviv has covered Israeli politics — domestic and foreign — for nearly two decades and speaks internationally about Zionism, the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, and Israel's future.
Haviv was previously the director of communications for the Jewish Agency for Israel, and currently teaches history and politics at Israeli premilitary academies.
Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the country's leadership, Western media, and the Palestinian future.
This interview was recorded on Sept. 9.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. Do you think Western media covers the Israel-Hamas War fairly?
4. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
7. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
8. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
9. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
10. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
11. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — such as in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
15. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict after the war?
16. Where do you read news about Israel?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

What began on Oct. 7, Yossi Klein Halevi says, is not the Israel-Hamas War but the Israel-Iran War.
A senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, the journalist and author has been intimately invested in Israel since he was a boy. Two of his books in particular—Like Dreamers and Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor—capture the tensions he embraces in Israel, and his own dedication to the Zionist dream. 
At Hartman, Yossi co-directs the Institute’s Muslim Leadership Initiative and is a long-time teacher, writer, and thinker on Israel, Zionism, and Judaism.
Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including whether anti-Zionism is antisemitism, how Western media covers the Israel-Hamas War, the threat of Iran, and so much more.
This interview was held on Aug. 28.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. Do you think Western media covers the Israel-Hamas War fairly?
4. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
7. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
8. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
9. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
10. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
11. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — such as in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
15. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict after the war?
16. Where do you read news about Israel?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel has expectations from humanity. It made October 7's horror all the more terrifying.
The religious figure and educator has been a voice of faith, hope, and strength for Israel and the Jewish People since her own teenaged son, Naftali, Hashem yikkom damo, was abducted and killed with Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaer by Hamas terrorists in 2014. Rachelle has lived, grappled, taught, and faced some of life's most haunting questions. She is a co-founder of The Jerusalem Unity Prize and Unity Day project, in honor of Naftali.
Director of Matan’s Advanced Halacha Program and an educator at Nishmat, Rachelle is immersed in the world of Jewish thought and Jewish law. She previously studied at Bar Ilan University, Midreshet Lindenbaum, and Nishmat’s Keren Ariel Yoatzot Halacha Training Program, and was in the first graduating class of Matan’s Talmudic Institute. 
Now, she sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including her religious views, religiosity in Israel, and Messianism.
This interview was held on Aug. 22.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. How have your religious views changed since Oct. 7?
4.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
7. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
8. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
9. Should Israel be a religious state?
10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
11. Should all Israelis serve in the army?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption?
15. Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel?
16. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

In Gadi Taub's eyes, Israel is hardly a democracy — "it's a juristocracy."
The historian, activist, and public intellectual believes that there are many forces at play that threaten the Jewish state: progressivism, elitism, and Western ideals. Formerly on the left himself, Gadi is one of Israel's most popular conservative thinkers. 
Gadi co-hosts Tablet's Israel Update podcast and his own Hebrew podcast, Gatekeeper. Outside of those roles, he is a senior lecturer at the Federmann School of Public Policy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Previously a columnist for Haaretz, he now writes for Tablet and JNS.
Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including judicial reform, Gaza's future, and the Palestinian Authority.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?
4.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
7. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
8. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
9. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
10. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
11. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
15. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
16. Are political and religious divides a major problem in Israeli society?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People.

Bullying isn't always a bad thing, Efraim Inbar says. In a tough neighborhood like the Middle East, sometimes it's necessary.
President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security and head of Shalem College’s program on Strategy, Diplomacy, and National Security, he speaks as a veteran Israeli political scientist and national security. In his view, Israel must be tough to stay alive—and it hasn't been tough enough.
Efraim authored five books on Israeli national security and politics, and edited 14 collections of scholarly articles, and as such, he is considered an expert on Israeli strategic doctrine, public opinion on national security issues, American policy in the Middle East, Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy, and Israel-Turkey relations.
Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the Iranian threat, Gaza's future, and why Israel needs to act even stronger.
This interview was held on August 6.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?
4.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
7. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
8. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
9. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
10. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
11. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
15. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
16. Do you think Israel is properly handling the Iranian threat?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

You cannot separate Israel’s democratic and Jewish identity, Ronit says. The two are interdependent in the Jewish state.
Ronit Heyd is an Israeli social leader and activist who spent over 20 years leading initiatives dealing with Israel’s intimate and domestic issues—those outsiders often overlook because of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict’s large shadow.
Previously leading the New Israel Fund’s social justice initiative, religious freedom project, and capacity-building arm Shatil, Ronit is now the vice president and director of Shalom Hartman Institute’s Center for Israeli and Jewish Identity. She holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School as a Wexner Fellow and an MA in social psychology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Now, she sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including democracy, religion, and the country’s future.
This interview was held on June 18.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
4. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
5. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
6. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
7. Should Zionism define Jewish identity in and outside of Israel?
8. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
9. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
10. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
11. What does the world misunderstand about Israelis?
12. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
13. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
15. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
16. What is a book you think everyone needs to read about Israel?
17. Where’s a spot in Israel you find comfort and peace?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

The Israeli government’s draft of Haredi men is no simple matter—but Yehoshua Pfeffer has some ideas for moving forward.

Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer is a Haredi social thinker and activist intimately involved in Haredi affairs. He heads the Iyun Institute—which operates programs and publications in the Haredi space—is the founding editor of Tzarich Iyun journal, and serves on the executive board of Netzah Yehuda, which serves Haredi soldiers in the IDF.

While also teaching as a professor at Hebrew University’s law school, he is the rabbi of Ohr Chadash in Ramot Bet, Jerusalem. Yehoshua’s life is guided by his convictions.
Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the Haredi draft, Israel as a religious state, Messianism, and so much more.

This interview was held on July 2.

Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
4. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
5. Should Israel be a religious state?
6. Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption?
7. Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel?
8. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
9. Should all Israelis serve in the army?
10. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
11. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
12. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
13. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
14. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
15. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
16. Are political and religious divides a major problem in Israeli society?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

After Auschwitz, Anita Shapira says, Jews understood the necessity of power—and the necessity of statehood.
A leading Israeli historian and author, she is professor emerita of Jewish History at Tel Aviv University and founder of the Yitzhak Rabin Center. When Anita Shapira speaks, her words are informed by acute expertise of Israeli and Jewish history—as evidenced by her many accolades and awards, including the Israel Prize for research on Jewish history in 2008.
Having published groundbreaking studies on the history of Zionism, Jewish-Arab relations, and the state of Israel, Anita Shapira is a vital voice for all things Israel—past, present, and future.
Now, she sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including wiping out Hamas, Israel’s catastrophe up North, her sense of Israel’s future, and so much more.
This interview was held on June 19.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?
4. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. Is there anything miraculous about Israeli history?
7. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
8. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
9. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
11. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — such as in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
12. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
13. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
14. Are there parts of Israeli-Palestinian history that it is unhelpful to discuss?
15. What should happen with Gaza after the war?
16. What is something you were wrong about in your historical views?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

No news outlet is utterly reliable these days, David Horovitz says. You always need one eyebrow raised.
The founding editor of Time of Israel — with tens of millions of monthly readers, and ranked as the world’s fastest-growing news site in October and November — has worked in journalism for over 40 years, previously editing The Jerusalem Post and The Jerusalem Report. His days and nights are consumed by Israel (and he has the bags to prove it) since Hamas’ October 7 attack.
David is also the author of several books, including Still Life with Bombers: Israel in the Age of Terrorism (2004) and the award-winning Shalom, Friend: The Life and Legacy of Yitzhak Rabin (1996). 
Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including if Western media covers the Israel-Hamas War fairly, what should happen with Gaza after the war, which outlets he reads on Israel, and so much more.
This interview was held on July 1.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. Do you think Western media covers the Israel-Hamas War fairly?
4. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
7. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
8. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
9. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
10. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
11. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
12. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — such as in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
15. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict after the war?
16. Where do you read news about Israel?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?