18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers

If you asked Yaakov Katz, the world should be lining the streets to applaud the IDF's military campaign in Gaza.
The decades-long journalist and political thinker is emphatic that the IDF fights in the most humane and moral way possible. A senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and former editor in chief of the Jerusalem Post, Katz has his pulse on many sectors of Israeli society today—from the government to civil society.
Katz authored three books on Israel's military prowess and regional affairs, and his fourth book on Oct. 7 is set to release next year. He also writes a regular column for Newsweek, the Jewish Chronicle, and the Jerusalem Post, and is the host of the JPPI weekly podcast.
Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including Israeli media's coverage of the war, the IDF's military ethics, and the "day-after" plan in Gaza.
This interview was held on Nov. 13.
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. 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?

Uri Zaki supported Israel's war against Hamas from the getgo—but the killing of six hostages and Sinwar's assassination were a turning point. Now, he thinks it needs to end.
Uri Zaki is a left-wing political thinker and activist. He founded the New Israel Fund’s The Front for the Protection of Democracy and was previously the chairperson of the Meretz (Israel’s left-wing party) executive board and has worked at and with several Zionist and human rights organizations. In 2010, he was the founding director B'Tselem USA, the American chapter of Israel's most prominent and controversial Israeli human rights organization. 
A proud Zionist and left-winger, Uri has fiercely defended Israel's war against Hamas since October 7. But over one year later, he thinks things need to change.
Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including West Bank settlements, Israeli leadership, and ending the war in Gaza.
This interview was held on Oct. 30.
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. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
7. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
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. Is Israel 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?

As a Haredi woman of the Israeli left, Nechumi Yaffe lives between a few different worlds—and she feels at home in Israel's new "Religious Left" movement.
A professor of public policy at Tel Aviv University, Nechumi is a political and social psychologist focused on the Haredi communities in America and Israel (of which she is a part). She is a leading expert guiding the Israeli government on Haredi affairs—from COVID-19 to the education system.
Since Oct. 7, Nechumi has coordinated over 100,000 Haredi emergency volunteers as part of the "Unity Command Center" and has risen as a social leader of the Religious Left ("Smol Ha-Emuni").
Now, she joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the Haredi draft, Israel's hostage negotiations, and religion since October 7.
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. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
16. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict after the war?
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?

Israel's multi-front war changes by the day—but Lahav Harkov thinks Israel is winning.
A long-time journalist covering Israel's domestic and international affairs, Lahav speaks with an insider's investigation and knowledge about Israel's issues today: military strategy, hostage negotiations, international relations, and more.
Previously the Senior Contributing Editor, Diplomatic Reporter and Knesset Reporter for The Jerusalem Post, Lahav is now the Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency previously named her the 5th-most influential person on “Jewish Twitter.”
Now, she joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the state of Israel's war, Western media, and the fight to free the hostages.
This interview was held on Oct. 8.
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?

Israel is facing several existential crises—at least three, by Netta Barak-Corren's account.
The legal scholar and law professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is intimately concerned with Israel's future and current threats. During the judicial reform, Netta authored a 45-page document (later translated into English) breaking down the problems and proper courses of action as she saw them, and most recently, she co-wrote a 28-page recommendation for the Israeli government's plan for Gaza after the war.
An award-winning researcher and visiting teacher and fellow at elite universities, Netta is also a cognitive scientist and seeks empirical and pragmatic resolutions in law.
Now, she joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including anti-Israel bias among international law experts, Israel's existential crises, and Gaza's "day after the war."
This interview was held on Sept. 29.
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?

How do Israeli thinkers feel after October 7?
Israelis have lived in a new reality over the last year—one haunted by the horrors of the day Hamas terrorists massacred 1,200 Israelis, kidnapped 251 others, and dragged the country into an existential war.
To feel October 7 one year later, we bring voices and perspectives from the Israeli thinkers we interviewed thus far to connect to their pain and their hope.

Rivka Ravitz may be a long-time Haredi political thinker, but that doesn't mean she thinks politics is always the answer.
Since her father-in-law first employed her in the Knesset at age 18, Rivka has spend decades working in Israeli politics. She was chief of staff to President Reuven Rivlin and a senior fellow at the Jewish Public Policy Institute; now she is chief of staff to the mayor of Bet Shemesh.
Rivka is intimately involved in the personal and political sphere of Haredi life—a focus of her PhD, which she is pursuing at Haifa University.
Now, she joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including Israeli politics, the Haredi draft, and Israel as a religious state.
This interview was held on Sept. 24.
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?

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?