In this essential episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah speaks with Israeli public intellectual, former Knesset member, and political strategist Dr. Einat Wilf about Israel’s political future in the wake of October 7th. Wilf argues that Israel has reached a historic inflection point — one that requires shedding what she calls a lingering “diaspora consciousness” and fully embracing permanent, sovereign thinking.
Drawing on decades of scholarship and public service, Wilf challenges many of the assumptions that have shaped Israeli politics and peace efforts. She explains why the conflict cannot be resolved through ambiguity or process alone, why ideology — not borders — has been the central obstacle to peace, and why international frameworks have repeatedly failed to reckon with Jewish self-determination. From critiques of institutions like UNRWA to hard questions about national service, governance, and borders, Wilf calls for a renewed Israeli social contract rooted in responsibility, realism, and permanence.
This episode is a rigorous exploration of sovereignty, accountability, and political maturity, offering listeners a clear vision of what it would mean for Israel and the Jewish people to stop thinking provisionally, and start acting like a nation that fully believes it is here to stay.
Topics include:
- Understanding Israel's Political System
- Founding the Oz Party
- Arab Zionism
- Clarifying Borders
- Strengthening the Knesset
- Service to the State and Belonging in Israel
- From Diaspora Consciousness to Sovereign Conduct
- Separation of Shul and State
- Worthy Leadership and Women in Politics
- The Oz Party's Vision and Strategy
- Appealing to a Diverse Audience
- UNRWA and Palestinian Relationship and Legacy
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor SAPIR.
Mentioned in this Episode:
The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the Jews: Part 1
Einat Wilf Instagram
Einat Wilf X
International Authors Call For Ban of Israeli Authors
A Call For Israeli Athletes to be Banned
Has Zionism Become a Bad Word
The Jewish Enemy
Origins of the Medieval Myth about the Jewish Drinking the Blood of Children
Movement Against Antizionism
Associated Press’s Coverage of Israel
Why Israel’s Conflicts are Covered So Much More Than Other Countries
Shaul Kelner’s Article On Antizionism as a Mass Movement in The U.S.
Shaul Kelner
Early 20th Century Soviet Anti Zionism
Jewish UCLA Student Blocked By Protesters
Amnesty International Suspends Its Israeli Branch
US Coffee House Refuses to Serve Jews
Why I Founded the Oz Party
Eretz Israel
How do Israeli Politics Work?
Yesh Atid
The Work of the Knesset
Dr. Einat Wilf: 'We lied to ourselves about the Palestinians'
Peace in the Middle East? The first thing that needs to happen is the destruction of the ideology at the heart of Palestinian identity.
5 Facts About the Jewish People's Ancestral Connection to the Land of Israel
UNRWA Exposed, Examining the Agency’s Mission and Failures
Ministers reportedly decide to keep Rafah Crossing shut, bucking US pressure amid anger over Board of Peace
Separation of Shul and State
In Conversation with Einat Wilf on a New Israeli Vision
Who Is the Wicked Son?
Who Are the Haredim?
Statement on the Death of Yahya Sinwar
Only 7% of Israeli Arabs define themselves as 'Palestinian'
‘We’d rather die than enlist’: Haredi Jews vow to defy conscription
The Judicial Overhaul Post October 7
The State of Israel as a Jewish State
'Haredi schools need to meet minimum standards'
13 Political Parties and Democracy: The Israeli Case
Campaign Financing in Israel
Einat Wilf: ‘Jews Are Never Allowed To Win, and Arabs Are Never Allowed to Lose’
We Should All Be Zionists Podcast
Einat Wilf Books (Amazon)
Israel: A Democracy Like No Other in the Middle East
The United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency
O-zionist to Allow People to Mobilize Israeli Friends
The Collapse of the Soviet Union
The Iranian Revolution, 40 Years On: Oppression at Home, Aggression Abroad
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
