Do we wish for an Exceptional or Normal state?What do we hope for when w...

Do we wish for an Exceptional or a Normal state?

Welcome to The Israel Conversation by the Masa Leadership and Impact Center, the content engine behind Masa Israel Journey. We bring contemporary, challenging, and compelling Israel issues to light in ways that help us stay connected with what’s really going on, on the ground.

Masa Israel Journey is dedicated to shaping a promising future for the young Jewish individual, the global Jewish community, and the connection to the State of Israel. Our hope with The Israel Conversation is to educate our Masa Fellows, alumni, parents, partners, and everyone in between about Israel from a local point of view while engaging multiple perspectives.

The Israel Conversation - formerly known as the Makom Israel Teacher's Lounge - has been a lively discussion and debate on everything Israel since 2016.

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408 Is it Time for Elections? “... It [is] not best to swap horses when crossing streams”, said Abraham Lincoln when running for reelection during the American Civil War. How well does that argument apply to Israel today?Polls show that Israelis have low confidence in the current government. This is a dangerous situation in a time of multiple major conflicts. But it is also dangerous to create a new election season in such a situation as well. Which is the greater danger? Should we push for elections as soon as possible, or wait till the war(s) settles down? Calev hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that it's time to hold elections, and Alan argues we should wait till the war is over. Am Yisrael Chai!

Is it Time for Elections?

407 National Security and Arab IsraelisIn the context of the Gaza war, many Jewish Israelis argue that their fellow citizens of Arab ethnicity present a security threat. Employment, access and movement must be monitored and perhaps restricted, according to this view. Is that concern reasonable? And even if it hypothetically is, can a democracy functionally discriminate based on the ethnicity of its citizens? How should a democratic Jewish state resolve this dilemma? Mike hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that we can racially profile to maintain security, and Jordana argues that ethnicity must be ignored among Israeli citizens. Am Yisrael Chai!

National Security and Arab Israelis

406 Can Hamas be Contained? Until October 6th, the shared Israeli conception was that Hamas could be contained in the Gaza strip. Sure, the IDF would occasionally have to knock out their rocket launchers. But overall, that is something we could live with. Now since October 7th, is it possible to go back to that plan? Or has the reality changed leaving destruction of our enemies as the only valid option?Matt hosts this episode’s debate, where Calev takes the position that we can restore containment of our adversaries, and Mike argues that prompt and utter destruction is the only valid option. Am Yisrael Chai!

Can Hamas be Contained?

405 American AbstentionThe routine is that if Israel doesn’t approve of a United Nation Security Council resolution, the United States vetoes it. But in March, America abstained on UNSC resolution 2728. Israeli leaders (and many Israelis) were furious. Is this a big deal and a sign of things to come? Is the allyship between these two democratic nations deteriorating? Or is this just a typical dustup between administrations, soon to be in our rear view mirror? Benji hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that this is a major setback in Israel/US relations that will have lasting consequences, and Mike argues that this is a tempest in a teapot that will be mostly forgotten. Am Yisrael Chai!

American Abstention

404 - How will this war be seen by history?Israel has fought Hamas in Gaza over and over again (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war). There was Operation Cast Lead in 2008, Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, and Operation Protective Edge in 2014 just to name a few. Thousands of rockets have been launched at civilian areas of Israel and Israel has counter attacked over and over again. Will the current war, Operation Swords of Iron be just another battle in this long running war? Or will this war be remembered as a moment of change in Israel and the region? Matt hosts this episode’s debate, where Alan takes the position that this is a major turning point in Israeli History, and Calev argues that this will be another round in our long battles with Hamas. Am Yisrael Chai!

Do we wish for an Exceptional or a Normal state?

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