In this conversation recorded live in Jerusalem on July 2, 2025, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi confront the explosive question: What future awaits Judea and Samaria, referred to by some as the West Bank and others as the Occupied Territories? 

In a conversation moderated by Ronit Heyd, Vice President and Director of the Center for Israeli & Jewish identity at the Shalom Hartman Institute, they argue that as Israel emerges from war with Iran and Hamas, this long-frozen conflict is the next moral and political time bomb. They dissect settler violence, the failure of Israeli leadership, and why "it's complicated" no longer excuses inaction as they challenge us to move beyond tribalism toward potential solutions.

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Recommended reading from this episode:
Constitution Committee approves for final readings bill to eliminate use of "West Bank" as official term

Amos Oz, “Land of Israel” (1967 Davar essay)

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The war with Hamas has now come at a devastating cost. Hunger is penetrating Gaza, and Israelis are now witnessing the humanitarian disaster unfolding on their border, which their government—and the world—have so far failed to properly address.

In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi ask, how did it get to this point? Where—between Israel, Hamas, and the international community—does responsibility for this famine lie, and how can Israel do teshuva for its role?

Articles referenced in this episode:

Matti Friedman's piece in The Free Press "Is Gaza Starving?"

Bret Stephens NYT Op-Ed: "No, Israel Is Not Committing Genocide in Gaza"

Ross Douthat’s NYT Op-Ed: “How Israel’s War Became Unjust”

Omer Bartov's NYT Op-Ed "I'm a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It."

Toba Hellerstein's article in Sapir: "Actually, Feelings Don't Care About Your Facts"

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A recent clash between Druze and Bedouins in the Syrian region of Sweida evolved into chaos as Syrian troops, Israeli Druze, and the IDF all entered the fray. For Israelis, the incident is prompting renewed awareness—and fresh questions— about the unusual status of Druze in the Jewish State.

This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss loyalty, kinship, and “Israeli-ness” as they unpack the nation’s unique relationship with certain minorities and touch on the complicated dilemma that its Palestinian/Arab citizens face as conditions worsen in Gaza.

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Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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For the second time in two months, Israel’s government is at risk of collapsing, as Haredi parties threaten to withdraw from the coalition over the conscription of Yeshiva students. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is discussing a “60 day ceasefire” that would return more hostages without a clear end to the war.

This week, as Israelis wait and anxiety builds, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi share their perspectives on the many factors that could change the country—and the war in Gaza—in the coming weeks.

Listen to the first episode of TEXTing: IRL, Allyship at the Edge HERE.

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Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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Around the world, Israelis are being harassed, attacked, and condemned for their country’s actions in Gaza, with even Israel’s staunchest allies beginning to reject claims of self-defense. 

This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack why the war with Hamas has brought about such international backlash, and whether Israel can restore its moral credibility. 

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Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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Since his inauguration, Donald Trump has inserted himself into the core of Israeli politics. He now wants an imminent end to the Gaza war, and Netanyahu seems ready to capitulate, even at risk to his coalition.

This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack the moral dilemma that an end to the war in Gaza—under these circumstances—would create. Would Hamas continue to control the Strip? Will all the hostages be returned? And if Trump is setting the agenda, is Israel even making a conscious decision to pursue peace?

Watch the video version of our podcast on our YouTube channel. 

Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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The U.S. strikes Iran’s Fordo facility. Trump announces a ceasefire. Netanyahu and Khamenei both claim victory. But beneath all the bluster, it remains unclear if Israel’s 12-day campaign succeeded in neutralizing a nuclear threat.

This week Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi try to separate facts from hearsay and speculate on the political future of both Iran and Israel.

Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. 

Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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How many times in Israel’s short and fraught history have we marked the start of a new era, and how does this affect the Israeli psyche over time? In this special episode of For Heaven’s Sake following America’s monumental entry into the war with Iran, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi analyze this not-quite-celebratory moment and weigh their conflicting feelings: exhilaration and exhaustion, triumph and trauma, gratitude and concern.

Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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Four days into the war with Iran, the feeling in Israel has gone from surreal to painfully real, with initial sighs of existential relief giving way to anxiety, grief, and uncertainty. 

On this episode of For Heaven’s Sake, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the parallels between this war and past operations, the difference in Israelis’ experiences across the country, and their hopes – and fears – for the days and weeks ahead.

Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.

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Today is day 616 of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, and day 1 of a new era for Israel. For Israelis who were jolted out of bed by sirens and Jews around the world who have been glued to the headlines, the first 24 hours of the war with Iran have been surreal, and leave us asking – what happens now?

In this emergency episode of For Heaven’s Sake recorded today, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack how we got here, the experience in Israel over the last 24 hours, and the ways Israel and the region will be changed forever by the events of June 13, 2025.

Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org. For more ideas from the Shalom Hartman Institute, visit shalomhartman.org, or JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST. Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.