Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unplanned stop at the White House after a visit to Hungary, aiming to persuade Donald Trump to reverse a looming 17% tariff on Israeli goods. But the real story was playing out just beneath the surface.

Trump dropped a surprise announcement: senior U.S. officials would be holding direct talks with Iran — a shift that appeared to blindside the Israeli leader. Netanyahu stuck to his hard line on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while Trump emphasized diplomacy and pointedly reminded everyone of the billions in U.S. aid to Israel.

Was this an act of diplomatic finesse or a political gamble gone sideways?

Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Michael Oren — historian, author, and former Israeli ambassador to Washington — to break down the visit, the messaging, and what it all signals about the road ahead for Israel and Iran.

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Definition of adumbration - the act of providing vague advance indications. 

In this longform edition of Boundless Insights, Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with Michal Cotler-Wunsh — Israel’s Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and a former Member of Knesset — for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of antisemitism, the weaponization of international law, and the global implications of October 7.

Michal argues that the misuse of human rights language, including terms like "genocide" and "apartheid," has served to delegitimize Israel, and she calls urgently for moral clarity and consistency in applying human rights principles globally.

Drawing from her own personal journey — from early childhood in Jerusalem’s Knesset corridors to formative years in Canada — Michal brings a rare perspective to understanding Israel from both the inside out and the outside in. She shares deeply personal stories, including memories of playing in the Knesset and visiting the home of Menachem Begin, while also offering sharp political insight into the modern-day challenges facing the Jewish people and the international community.

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Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Guest Bio:

Michal Cotler-Wunsh, LL.B, LL.M, is Israel’s Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and a Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor. A former Member of Knesset, she chaired and served on several key parliamentary committees and was the first Knesset liaison to the International Criminal Court. She also co-founded the Inter-parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism.

Michal’s work focuses on antisemitism, international law, human rights, and Zionism. Her diverse legal, academic, and professional background includes roles with the Jewish Federations of North America, Nefesh B’Nefesh, and Reichman University in Herzliya. She also serves as a trustee of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy. Michal lives in Ra’anana, Israel, with her husband and four children.

Mentioned in this episode:

Working definition of antisemitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)

As the Houthis escalate their attacks on international shipping and threaten both Israeli and Western vessels, the Trump administration has responded with a sweeping military campaign against the Iran-backed group in Yemen. With Red Sea shipping traffic plummeting and global trade at risk, the U.S. is signaling that enough is enough.

So what’s different this time? Can the Houthis actually be stopped? And how will Iran, global powers, and U.S. allies respond?

Aviva Klompas is joined by Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute. A veteran of the Bush administration, Doran served on the National Security Council, at the State Department, and in the Pentagon.

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Guest Bio:

Michael Doran is a senior fellow and director of the Middle East center at the Hudson Institute. In the administration of President George W. Bush, he served as the senior director in the National Security Council responsible for the Middle East and North Africa. He has taught at Princeton, NYU, and the University of Central Florida, and publishes articles frequently. His last book, Ike's Gamble, was published by Free Press in 2016. He received a B.A. from Stanford and a Ph.D. from Princeton.

Videos have surfaced showing Palestinians in Gaza rising up against Hamas. How significant are these protests? Do they mark a genuine turning point in public sentiment, or are they a fleeting moment of frustration? And what would it take for this unrest to evolve into a broader political shift or a change in leadership?

A recent Gallup poll found that more than half of Gazans would leave if given the chance. Meanwhile, Israel’s message to civilians has been stark: “The solution is in your hands. Hamas is insisting on taking you to hell.”

For the past 18 months, Israel has maintained that Hamas will not survive this war because there is no viable future, for anyone, while Hamas remains in power.

In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren to discuss the protests, whether they signal a deeper shift within Gaza, and what it will take to imagine — and build — a future without Hamas.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Referenced in this episode:

Gallup International Poll

Win-Win? - Clarity by Michael Oren 

Definition of solipsistic - someone who is so focused on their own wants and needs that they don't think about other people at all.

Definition of adumbration - the act of providing vague advance indications.

Nearly 18 months after Hamas’s October 7 massacre, the war in Gaza has reignited. Israeli airstrikes are once again targeting senior Hamas leaders, and IDF troops have taken up new positions inside the Strip. Predictably, international condemnation has resumed, calling Israel’s actions a “step backward,” while rocket fire from Gaza and the Houthis intensifies.

But this time, one thing is different: the Trump administration has signaled a sharp shift in U.S. policy, giving Israel far more operational leeway than under the previous administration and expanding America’s own military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen.

Host Aviva Klompas is speaking with Dr. Michael Oren about Israel’s evolving military and political goals in Gaza, the international community’s response, and the moral dilemmas surrounding hostage negotiations.

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Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Israel’s security leadership is in turmoil. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, citing a breakdown of trust after the October 7 Hamas massacre. But Bar is pushing back—warning that his removal is tied to what’s being called Qatargate. He claims the government is trying to obstruct an ongoing investigation into Qatar’s covert influence at the highest levels of Israeli leadership.

Israeli police have already arrested two suspects amid explosive allegations that senior aides to Netanyahu were on Qatar’s payroll. This is the same regime that funds Hamas, fuels terrorism across the region, and provided safe haven to the masterminds of October 7.

To help make sense of this unfolding crisis, I’m joined once again by Dr. Michael Oren. We unpack the far-reaching implications of these allegations, what they could mean for Israel’s national security, and whether Netanyahu’s government is at risk of collapsing under the weight of scandal.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Israel was founded on a promise—to be the defender of the Jewish people. On October 7, that promise was broken. In the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust, Israel’s security, deterrence, and very raison d’être were shaken to the core.

What went wrong? How does Israel begin the process of reckoning with its failures—not just to return the hostages, but to rebuild trust, restore deterrence, and reclaim its sovereignty?

In this episode, historian, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., and author Michael Oren breaks down the hard truths about what happened, the challenges ahead, and the steps Israel must take to ensure that October 7 never happens again.

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Mentioned in this episode:
Our choice between ‘never again’ and ‘again’ by Dr. Michael Oren

Is U.S. Aid a Threat to Israel? by Dr. Michael Oren 

Last month, Israel made a surprising diplomatic move, voting alongside the United States and Russia against a United Nations resolution reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It was the first time Israel had taken such a stance since the war began—raising questions about the pressure Jerusalem faces as President Trump reshapes U.S. foreign policy.

Since taking office in January, Trump has distanced himself from Biden’s strong backing of Ukraine, labeling President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and urging him to agree to a ceasefire with Moscow. Tensions boiled over in a high-stakes White House meeting where Zelensky clashed publicly with both Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

For former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, the moment was strikingly familiar. He recalls a pivotal 2011 exchange in the Oval Office when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly challenged President Obama’s Middle East policy. Oren sees important parallels between Netanyahu’s bold approach and the situation Zelensky now faces.

In this episode, we explore how smaller nations like Israel and Ukraine navigate relationships with global superpowers, what diplomatic leverage they hold, and what lessons can be drawn from history.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Mentioned in the episode: Michael Oren: What Zelensky Can Learn from Netanyahu

The U.S. has been in direct talks with Hamas, aiming to negotiate the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Leading the discussions is Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, who recently met with Hamas officials in Doha. He described the talks as “very productive,” indicating they extend beyond hostage negotiations to broader discussions about a long-term ceasefire.

Boehler has suggested that Hamas may be willing to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza—but not without significant concessions. For its part, Israel is increasing pressure, cutting off electricity and halting aid deliveries to Gaza.

So, is a deal within reach? Or are these negotiations heading nowhere?

Host Aviva Klompas discusses the latest developments with former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Dr. Michael Oren.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

In this episode of Boundless Insights, Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with former Palestinian negotiator Ghaith al-Omari to examine the shifting landscape of Palestinian leadership and the viability of a two-state solution.

They discuss the historical evolution of Palestinian nationalism, the deep legitimacy crisis facing the Palestinian Authority, and the role of Arab nations in rebuilding Gaza and advancing a diplomatic resolution.

Ghaith also weighs in on the impact of U.S. leadership in driving Palestinian political reform, the generational shifts shaping Israeli and Palestinian perspectives, and how identity factors into the peace process. Throughout the conversation, he underscores the urgent need for pragmatic, courageous leadership to counter extremism and build a path toward lasting stability.

Guest Bio:

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute’s Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship. Previously, he served as executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine and was an advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during the 1999–2001 permanent-status talks. He has held various other positions within the Palestinian Authority.