Israelis usually flee to Europe during hot summers to experience European weather - but this week’s heatwave made the blistering temperatures here seem normal. But whether or not the countries are well equipped with air conditioning, it seems none are particularly ready with a plan for the effects of climate change.

And to another hot topic- the U.S involvement in the Middle East and Israel, in particular, we speak to historian and foreign policy luminary Walter Russell Mead on his new book, which inquires into the historical roots of America’s support for Israel, and the misconceptions about the strength of the Jewish state that led to him writing it.

Plus - a story involving a cat and an Israeli MK gets mentioned in both our award categories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If You Can't Stand The Heat  - with special guest Walter Russell Mead

Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.
Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".
For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy. 
 

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During the Passover break, another chance to hear one of our most forceful conversations - one that, in many ways, has only become more timely. Yonit and Jonathan talk to the entrepreneur, scholar and podcaster Professor Scott Galloway about the war that is waged not through bombs and rockets, but in the media, online - and especially on campus.
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rewind: Scott Galloway vs. the World

In an episode recorded before Israel’s reported targeting of Iranian sites in the early hours of Friday morning, Yonit and Jonathan discuss the ongoing fallout from Iran’s attack on Israel six days earlier — assessing the arguments and dilemmas that have gripped Israel’s policymakers. Plus: a conversation about the future for Israelis and Palestinians when the current war in Gaza is finally over, with Israeli scholar and thinker Fania Oz-Salzberger and Palestinian writer and analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. And, of course, some thoughts for the seder table as Pesach, or Passover, approaches
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 11th Plague - with Fania Oz-Salzberger & Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

Yonit and Jonathan talk through an unprecedented night in which Iran launched a direct attack on Israeli territory for the first time - and in which a series of Arab nations joined the US, UK, France and Israel itself in protecting the country from a sustained Iranian drone and missile attack. How will - and how should - Benjamin Netanyahu respond? Is there a way to retaliate without triggering a wider regional war? And what are the implications for both Israel's battle against Hamas and its place in the Middle East? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Urgent Update: Iran Attacks

Israeli writer and satirist Etgar Keret and US broadcasting legend Ira Glass have been friends for two decades - but October 7 put that friendship under strain. They found themselves seeing the same events differently. Like Yonit and Jonathan, one was inside, the other outside. The four of them talk about that, about grief, friendship - and much else. Plus an update on the looming threat from Iran and the state of the war in Gaza — and there are some choice nominees for the chutzpah and mensch awards See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Jewish Life: A Conversation with Ira Glass & Etgar Keret

The war that began on October 7 is six months old: to mark the occasion, a special episode with three unique voices. Yonit and Jonathan hear from Israel's pre-eminent military analyst, Amos Harel, on the state of the conflict in Gaza - what's happened, what might come next and the prospects for a wider clash with Iran and Hizbullah. They speak with Rabbi Angela Buchdal of New York about how October 7 shook the Jewish diaspora, and how Judaism might serve as a consolation in these dark days. And they hear from CNN's BIanna Golodryga about the hostages taken that day and the challenge of keeping global attention on their increasingly desperate fate. Plus: some award winners - and an unexpected moment of song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If You Can't Stand The Heat - with special guest Walter Russell Mead

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