Disputed Territory: Real Talk About Israel

What do we lose when we stop talking to people we disagree with about Israel?

Shanie sits down with peace activist and storyteller Alana Zeitchik for a conversation about why engaging across political divides still matters—and where to draw the line. They discuss the difference between engaging with someone and legitimizing their views and how to know when to simply disengage.

They also explore the growing disconnect between American and Israeli Jews, the challenge of separating people from their politics, and what happens when disagreement gives way to dehumanization. Alana Zeitchik is an Israeli-American advocate, writer, and media professional who became a public voice after six of her family members were taken hostage on October 7. Now executive director of The Narrow Bridge Project, she has written for The New York Times and The Forward, spoken at the United Nations, and made courageous communication and relationship-building central to her work.

For more information on Alana, subscribe to her Substack or follow her on Instagram (@AlanaLindsay).

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In this debut episode, Shanie Reichman shares the experiences that shaped how she thinks about Israel, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the difficult conversations surrounding both.

Shanie is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Director of IPF Atid at Israel Policy Forum, where she works to elevate the discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But her connection to these issues is also deeply personal.

Shanie shares stories about her Israeli family and upbringing, the communities and perspectives that have influenced her, and why she believes there needs to be more space for complexity, disagreement, and honest conversation about Israel.

You'll learn about why Disputed Territory was created and what you can expect from the conversations ahead.

📺 FOLLOW DISPUTED TERRITORY:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DisputedTerritory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disputedterritorypod/

Newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/signup/i/A3BE2F905F5EE5B7

👋 FOLLOW SHANIE:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaniemieka/

📋 FOLLOW ISRAEL POLICY FORUM:

Website: https://israelpolicyforum.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israelpolicyforum

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/israelpolicyforum

📩 CONTACT:

Email: [email protected]

🎧 CHECK OUT OTHER SHOWS FROM ISRAEL POLICY FORUM:

Israel Policy Pod: https://israelpolicyforum.org/podcast/

DONATE:

Israel Policy Forum: https://support.israelpolicyforum.org/dtpodcast2026

Israel has become one of the hardest things to talk about - even among people who care deeply about it. On Disputed Territory, host Shanie Reichman sits down with a range of voices to tackle the topics dominating the discourse around Israel today. Grounded in a vision of a secure, Jewish, democratic Israel, Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation, and a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, Disputed Territory equips listeners to engage thoughtfully, where others see only division.

New episodes weekly. Subscribe and join the conversation.

📺 FOLLOW DISPUTED TERRITORY:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DisputedTerritory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disputedterritorypod/

👋 FOLLOW SHANIE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaniemieka/

Support the podcast: https://support.israelpolicyforum.org/dtpodcast2026

📋 FOLLOW ISRAEL POLICY FORUM: Website: https://israelpolicyforum.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israelpolicyforum YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/israelpolicyforum

🎧 CHECK OUT OTHER SHOWS FROM ISRAEL POLICY FORUM: Israel Policy Pod