FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Brig. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Nuriel, to discuss the current state of Israel’s multi-front war. Brig. Gen. Nuriel explains that the current mission in Gaza is to ensure that Hamas will not be able to regain power in the region. He believes that this mission is going to take a significant amount of time, barring a surrender of Hamas and reaching an agreement to release the hostages. The IDF’s primary goal in Lebanon is also to neutralize the threat of Hezbollah missile fire for good, and to prevent Hezbollah from regaining power in the region. The IDF is preparing for a potential threat along the Jordanian border, with Iran now setting its sights on mobilizing its shiite militias in Syria and Iraq as a result of Hezbollah being on the brink of annihilation and losing Hamas completely. Brig. Gen. Nuriel reminds us that, while Israel is winning the war, the IDF has weathered significant losses, primarily to their reserve corps.

FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Rabbi Doron Perez Executive Chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement and Father of Slain Hostage, IDF Capt. Daniel Perez, to discuss the west’s equating the IDF’s defense of their homeland with Hamas’ terrorist mission to obliterate it, which Rabbi Perez terms the “modern day blood libel.” While the IDF would do anything to protect the civilians of Israel, Hamas uses their civilians as pawns for their own gain. Rabbi Perez offers his unique perspective and clarity of thought on this topic, as both the leader of the Mizrahi World Movement and the father of an IDF soldier whose body is currently being held by Hamas. Rabbi Perez shares his son’s story on the morning of October 7th, and how he and his family are dealing with loss.

FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by RAFAEL Rocket Scientist Dr. Ari Sacher, to discuss the current bombardment of Hezbollah rocket fire currently taking place in northern Israel, where Dr. Sacher resides with his family. Dr. Sacher, the lead scientist behind the development of the groundbreaking Iron Dome missile defense system, explains that while the Iron Dome’s 90-95% success rate is remarkable and indispensable, it isn’t perfect. He witnessed firsthand the carnage of a Hezbollah rocket that made it past the Iron Dome, which landed near his home. Steven and Dr. Sacher discuss two of the IDF’s most pressing current objectives, which is to target and destroy Hezbollah’s missile launchers in Beirut via precision airstrikes, and to push the Hezbollah terrorists behind the Litani River, which would act as a natural border wall that would prevent Hezbollah from executing an attack similar to October 7th.

FIDF CEO Steven Weil explains the history of Tzom Gedalia, the fast day that occurs the day after Rosh Hashanah on the Jewish calendar, and the significance of Rosh Hashanah and the auspicious period in the Jewish that follows, called the “Yamim Noraim,” the Days of Awe. Steven explains that the timing for a retrospective on the past year comes at the perfect time, following the recent monumental military achievement by the IDF of eliminating Nasrallah, causing devastating damage to Hezbollah. Yet, despite the recent triumph, and the year filled with tragedy, Jews have experienced an unprecedented wave of antisemitism in the west, under the guise of “anti-Zionism.” And despite the IDF’s efforts to minimize collateral damage during its campaign in Gaza, the world’s unbalanced criticism of Israel knew no bounds. In addition to the external criticism that the IDF in Israel had to weather over the past year are the 400+ soldiers that have fallen in battle, the injured who have live with physical trauma, and all of the soldiers who returned intact physically but must live the rest of their lives with PTSD and psychological trauma. And now, during these Days of Awe, as, according to Jewish tradition, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, Jews everywhere pray for the state of truth and justice, both for Israel and the world at large.  

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Maj. Gen. Nadav Padan informs viewers about the current state of war with Iran following their firing over 180 ballistic missiles into Israel. Despite the low casualty rate, several missiles landed and damaged urban areas. Each missile can carry over 2,000 pound warheads, which have large scale damage capacity. Meanwhile, IDF boots are on the ground with the objective of destroying Hezbollah posts on the border in order to push them behind the Litani river. Israel has already destroyed over 150 positions along the Israel-Lebanon border, and have uncovered a large number of weapon and missile caches. Maj. Gen. Padan expresses a sentiment of great hope and assuredness, stating that Israel is going to win this war, both because they are very strong, and because there is no choice but to win the war.

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Maj. Gen. (RES.) Nadav Padan provides a crucial update on Israel’s war with Hezbollah on the northern front, following the successful elimination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Maj. Gen. Padan explains that while Nasrallah’s elimination warrants celebration, it is only one layer of the IDF’s multi-layered plan to take out Hezbollah. Padan praises operatives at all levels of this plan for doing a great job, making the right decisions, and executing the IDF’s plan successfully. The IDF has destroyed missile launching pads and missile caches throughout the south of Lebanon, which, in addition to the elimination of Nasrallah and his underlings, has placed a tremendous amount of pressure on Hezbollah. The temporary and permanent leadership is further pressured by the refugee situation that they aren’t equipped to handle. In Lebanon, there are roughly 1 million refugees, many of whom have migrated east to the Syrian border, while others have migrated north within Lebanon.

Maj. Gen. Padan reminds us that what is most instrumental to the success of the war is the elimination of Hamas in Gaza. Hamas is being buoyed by the food, supplies and support from the US and NGOs, which Hamas steals from its citizens and resells to the public with the intention of using the money to fund more Hamas recruits. 

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Maj. Gen. (RES.) Nadav Padan provides a critical update on escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Maj. Gen. Padan outlines the genesis of the escalation, sparked by two successful IDF operations. The first was to sabotage a meeting at the Hezbollah HQ in Beirut between Hezbollah lay leaders and the Red One Hezbollah unit to plan an October 7th-like attack against Israel. The damage incurred by Hezbollah isn't yet confirmed, but the IDF was able to penetrate the underground bunker where the meeting took place. The second successful operation occurred in the south of Lebanon, where the IDF destroyed Hezbollah missile and launcher caches. These attacks have sent Hezbollah into crisis mode. Hezbollah has subsequently launched missile attacks into both military and civilian areas in Israel.

FIDF CEO Steven Weil explains why the IDF is the world’s most ethical army, expounding on the historical and biblical origins of the IDF to elucidate the moral code its policies are rooted in. He cites a few examples to illustrate the IDF’s exemplary moral conduct, including the IDF’s unprecedented civilian-to-combatant kill ratio, a fraction of the ratio of other armies historically. 

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Podcast Description: FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Deputy Commander of the Israeli Staff Command and former Head of the Counter Terrorism Bureau at the Prime Minister’s Office Brig. Gen. (Res) Nitzan Nuriel, to discuss the current challenges facing the IDF, including the munitions deficit, being attacked on nine different fronts, the mental well-being of soldiers as we approach the one-year mark of the war, the looming threat of Iran wresting control of Jordan, and the recent hostage assassination.

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil welcomes Lt. Col. (Res.) Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Israeli Scholar of Arab Culture, Lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, and Vice President of NEWSRAEL to offer his expert insight into Israel's conflict with Iran within the broader context of Middle Eastern, Islamic, and world histories. Dr. Kedar elaborates on the various internal divisions within the Muslim world--particularly the Shia and Sunni sects--and how their conflicts are impacting Israel's geopolitical reality and fueling wars throughout the Middle East. Steve and Dr. Kedar also discuss the dangers posed to Western societies around the world by the extremist ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. Finally, Dr. Kedar provides his views on the current and future situation with Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.