Haaretz Podcast

A famous ultra-Orthodox author of children's books, Chaim Walder, was accused by multiple women of sexual abuse.  Their disturbing accounts, first reported in Haaretz, are creating shock waves in Haredi communities, from Jerusalem to Brooklyn. Senior analyst Anshel Pfeffer joins the podcast to discuss the story, starting at time code 11:00.

Earlier on this week's episode, we ask: Why did Turkey arrest two innocent Israeli tourists and accuse them of espionage, and why did 'Sultan' Recep Tayyip Erdogan agree to release them? Turkey expert Dr. Gallia Lindenstrauss says the incident could open the door to broader rapprochement between Israel and Turkey. Listen to her conversation with host Amir Tibon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the Israeli National Security Conference which is being hosted by the Nazarian Center for Israel studies at UCLA – in partnership with Haaretz – Prof. Dov Waxman joins host Simon Spungin to look ahead at the gathering and to discuss some of the issues that will be coming up: the shadow war with Iran and the Iranian nuclear threat; Israel, the Palestinians, and the region; and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Click here to register free for the conference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/israeli-national-security-haaretz-ucla-nazarian-center-online-conference-registration-194340195757

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, we hear from an evangelical Christian and Israeli citizen, Joel Rosenberg, on his unusual meetings with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the king of Jordan and president of Egypt, all documented in a new book he just published. Why did these Arab leaders invite him to their palaces, and how can Joe Biden get a big diplomatic win in the Middle East? Listen to the full conversation, starting at time code 10:20. 

Earlier on the show, Haaretz correspondent Allison Kaplan Sommer warns about Israel's failed enforcement of rules barring unvaccinated tourists from entering the country. Her recent scoop on the subject led the Israeli Health Ministry to promise a quick fix, but so far, she tells host Amir Tibon, the disturbing loopholes she discovered still exist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Simon Spungin is joined by human rights lawyer and LGBTQ+ activist Eitay Mack for a deep dive into the Israeli gay community’s #metoo moment, conversion therapy and the price the LGBTQ+ community in Israel is paying for its alliance with companies that sell technology used to repress gays elsewhere. Support groups: The Aguda - The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel; Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violence broke out again last week at the Western Wall, as female activists gathered to pray at the holy Jewish site and were met with an ultra-Orthodox mob. Why is the battle over women's prayer there making headlines in Israel again, and how is it related to the ultra-Orthodox parties being out of power for the first time in a decade? Jewish World correspondent Judy Maltz discusses the latest developments with host Amir Tibon.

Also on this week's episode, Haaretz's U.S. correspondent, Ben Samuels, joins us from Washington with an update on the Biden administration's plans to reopen the American consulate in Jerusalem. After passing his landmark infrastructure package, does President Biden finally have time to pay attention to the Middle East? Listen to the full conversation.

See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.

Prof. Michel Wieviorka, from the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, and France 24 journalist, Shirli Sitbon join host Simon Spungin to discuss the rise and rise of Éric Zemmour – the leading noncandidate who is already disrupting next year’s French presidential election with his hashtag provocations, his anti-immigrant rhetoric, and his outrageous rewriting of French history.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, guest Danny Citrinowicz, a leading Israeli expert on Iran, talks about the expected renewal of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and world powers. He warns that for the Biden administration there is only one realistic option on the table – and Israel will have to adjust to it, even if it doesn't want to. 

Later in the show, Haaretz West Bank correspondent Hagar Shezaf breaks down Defense Minister Benny Gantz's recent designation of six Palestinian human rights groups as terror organizations. Why did it happen, what are the reactions from Israel's friends abroad, and how could it impact civil society in the Palestinian territories? Listen to the full conversation with host Amir Tibon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haaretz’s Ruth Schuster joins host Simon Spungin to discuss Israel, the COP26 conference and pie-in-the-sky climate tech; the lost Church of the Apostles and Crusader camps; and the scientific truth about benefits of intermittent fasting – for mice.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Within the space of a few days, Turkey announced that it had arrested a supposed spy ring operated by Israel's Mossad, and informed the ambassadors of the U.S., France and Germany that they should expect a deportation order from Ankara. What is all the noise about? We discuss the latest developments with Louis Fishman, an expert on Turkish politics who divides his time between Istanbul and Tel Aviv. 

Starting at the 11:30 mark, we hear from Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and author of the newly released "Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy." How would Kissinger respond to this week's Israeli announcement of new construction in West Bank settlements, and what did the Clinton administration fail to learn from the master? Listen to the full discussion with host Amir Tibon. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Simon Spungin is joined by Stockholm-based journalist David Stavrou to discuss the International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism hosted by the Swedish city of Malmo; and by Judy Maltz, to discuss the multi-candidate race to become the next chair of the Jewish Agency.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.