Inside Israel with Joel Chasnoff

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, we address listener questions on the U.S. election and how Israelis and Americans living in Israel view the two presidential candidates, as well as the current status of negotiations for the release of the more than 100 Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.

We then explore three off-the-radar news stories that Israelis are talking about: the daring Shayetet 13 Navy SEAL raid in northern Lebanon, which showcased Israel’s reach and intelligence capabilities; a leak from the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding Hamas' true motivations in hostage negotiations; and a controversial bill providing subsidized daycare for ultra-Orthodox families whose fathers are avoiding military service.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to our Fall 2024 fundraiser on behalf of the podcast, which raised over $9,000. Many of you have heard of big-name podcasts like Joe Rogan and Call Her Daddy, but the truth is that most podcasters are just people like me with a microphone and a message to share. It means the world to me that Inside Israel is able to bring your insights and meaning that you value.

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To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, titled “Skeleton,” we try something different: instead of saving them for the end, I address listener questions at the beginning – everything from how Israelis think about anti-Semitism in the US, to how pro-Israel Jews in America might think about the upcoming Presidential election and whether Israelis celebrate Halloween. 

In the news segment, I discuss Israel’s recent strategic success in Iran, which involved disabling key air defense systems and setting back missile production capabilities, sending a clear signal to Iran that we have the capacity to operate within Iranian airspace pretty much at will. I also reflect on the tragic ramming attack at Glilot Junction in Herzliya, as well as the deaths of five modern-Orthodox Reserve soldiers in Lebanon, one of whom was a Judaic studies teacher in my town, Ra’anana.

We close the pod by talking about the impact of these events on a personal level, including my wife Dorit’s latest project on behalf of IDF soldiers in Lebanon.  

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Contribute to the Inside Israel Fall 2024 Fundraising Campaign: Support

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, we delve into the recent elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a significant victory for Israel. It was an unexpected success, what we refer to in Hebrew as a “fooks,” or happy accident. I’ll explore this moment through three lenses: how it provides psychological closure for Israelis, opens a window of opportunity for a potential hostage deal, and leaves a sense of confusion as we no longer have a central figure to negotiate with.

But before exploring that, I want to honor the late Colonel Achsan Dachsa. A respected Druze officer and commander of the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade, Dachsa was someone I had the pleasure of meeting five years ago at a fundraiser in Toronto. After his speech and my comedy performance, we spoke about our respective experiences as tank soldiers (Not surprisingly, his was far more impressive than mine.) When I told him that two of my own kids would soon be entering the IDF, he offered to help them through the draft process, and we exchanged phone numbers. His warmth and kindness left a lasting impression, and I regret never taking up his invitation for a meal in Dalyat Al-Carmel. 

This episode pays tribute to his memory and service.

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Contribute to the Inside Israel Fall 2024 Fundraising Campaign: Support

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of Inside Israel we meet the gal behind the mic of the world’s most popular English-language Israel news podcast: Amanda Borschel-Dan, host of the Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing. 

We’ll learn how she fell in love  with Israel in the first place and why one of the world’s foremost Torah scholars is partly responsible for Amanda ultimately moving here. 

I also speak with Amanda about her journey from semi-anonymous journalist to becoming the most trusted voice in Israel-related news, including a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it takes to produce just one Daily Briefing episode. 

And, in the "Hebrew is Magic" segment, Amanda talks to us about one of the most beautiful-sounding words in the Hebrew language and reveals how its actual meaning is actually a bit, well, filthy. 

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Inside Israel, titled "Joel's Dilemma," I reflect on the conflicting emotions I have as the host of this podcast, about the story I convey to you about Israel and my life here. 

On one hand, I’ve always wanted to showcase the beauty, magic, and uniqueness of living in Israel. That’s why I wrote Israel 201 and launched this podcast exactly one year ago. 

But on the other hand, I’m feeling increasingly pessimistic about the future, especially in the short term. While I’m hopeful for long-term peace and stability (where “long-term” means 60 or so years down the road), the current situation leaves me questioning the path forward.

In tonight’s pod, I explore a few specific areas of concern, starting with Gaza. With hostages still being held and ongoing violence, I wonder if Israel’s decision to pull out in 2005 was a mistake. 

I also delve into the complexities of Lebanon and Iran, both of which seem to have no clear endgame in sight. I even ask whether revolutions in these regions are the only hope for lasting change. 

Closer to home, the rise of terrorism within Israel itself, as well as from the West Bank, leaves the country in a state of dysfunction, with inadequate resources to even protect citizens, as evidenced by recent attacks and logistical failures in mobilizing the Reserves.

Finally, I address listener questions, ranging from the media’s lack of attention on displaced Israelis in the north to sightings of U.S. soldiers in Israel. 

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Contribute to the Inside Israel Fall 2024 Fundraising Campaign: Support

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special 50th episode of Inside Israel, I focus on the breaking news of Israel’s elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. While I originally planned this episode as a reflection on the past year of the podcast, the significance of this event was too big to ignore. To help you better understand how Israelis are reacting to the news of Nasrallah’s death and Israel’s current war with Hezbollah, I break down seven key takeaways, including the blow to Hezbollah’s power, the ripple effect on Iran’s coalition, and the political responses here in Israel.

I also touch on how this development has brought much of Israel together, with a few exceptions like Betzalel Smotrich and Yair Lapid. I also dig into the reactions from the Arab world and call out the international media, from NPR to the New York Times, for their biased and flat-out backwards coverage of recent events.

While this episode highlights Israel’s success, we cannot forget the hostages still held in Gaza and the haunting questions from the October 7th attacks.

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Commemorate the one year anniversary of October 7th with Joel

Register here: A Year in Hebrew Words with Joel Chasnoff

Date: Monday, October 7

Time: 2 PM EDT

Duration: Approx. 30 minutes

Cost: Free

Zoom link and registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdeqsqjsjEtKt7YRFmseDXPL3zFXiknK8

Support the Inside Israel fundraising campaign

https://gofund.me/47db44b2

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the past eleven months, I’ve been predicting that, eventually, Israel will go to war with Hezbollah.

Well, guess what: the war has come!

In this episode of Inside Israel, I dive into the latest developments in the conflict I’ve been talking about. This “war” is unfolding in unexpected ways—from covert missions against Hezbollah leadership to a barrage of missiles that have left the country on edge. I break down the psychology behind Hezbollah’s actions and speculate on what’s coming next, all while giving you a feel for the unique mood in Israel—a mix of resilience, frustration, and that unmistakable Israeli toughness.

In addition to the usual content, I have some exciting news: I’m launching a fundraising campaign to keep Inside Israel going strong! Inside Israel is free, and I plan to keep it that way. That said, producing this podcast costs $10,000 a year, and I’m asking for your help to hit that goal. Whether it’s $10 a month or even just a dollar, every contribution makes a difference. And hey, if you’re feeling generous, a $250 donation allows you to sponsor an episode in honor or memory of someone you care about.

To contribute, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast.

Links for Joel’s weekly live Inside Israel broadcasts and video recordings of the most recent episode: www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Joel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joelchasnoff  or @joelchasnoff

Contact Joel with a question or feedback: joel@joelchasnoff

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and Israel 201 coauthor Benji Lovitt is currently suffering through one of the most frustrating Israeli experiences of all: hunting for a new rental apartment in Tel Aviv. As Benji describes it, there’s no order to the system – landlords renege on their agreements to rent to you should they find a better deal, and renters are often left to repair any loose wires or paint chipping walls themselves. 

On the bright side, however, after 49 years of bachelorhood Benji finally has a serious girlfriend of her own. The one caveat: she’ll only move in with him if he gives up his wild and incessantly barking dog. 

In today’s episode of Inside Israel, I speak with Benji about the Israeli dating scene, apartment scene, and what it’s been like to perform comedy during the current war. 

We also talk about how collaborating with me on Israel 201 transformed how he sees Israel and his place in it. 

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I created this podcast because I wanted to share the magic and beauty of what I call “Israeliness” – the unique way that Israelis interact with each other and think about the country they love. 

But what happens when I stop feeling the magic…and when Israelis no longer feel the positive connection with Israel as we did before. 

On today’s episode of Inside Israel, I’ll explore the hard truths of what it really means to live in Israel right now. 

Lately, I’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of distress among my fellow Israelis. There’s a palpable sense of hopelessness, frustration, and anxiety that seems to pervade daily life. It’s not just in the conversations we’re having or the news we’re reading—it’s in the air. You can feel it in the way people interact with each other, in our physical well-being, even in how we drive.  The stress is manifesting as sickness, heightened anxiety, and a constant tension that makes everything feel heavier.

What will it take to change this? It's not necessarily about electing a new government, or about sweeping political shifts. What people here desperately need is closure—bringing our hostages and the bodies of those we've lost home from Gaza, and returning our residents to the north. 

As we go through this episode, I hope you can understand the complexity of the situation here. Life in Israel isn’t easy right now, and while I would love to share only the good, I feel a responsibility to be honest about the challenges. This is the truth, even when it’s difficult to talk about.

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, the IDF extracted the bodies of hostage Hersh Polin z’’l and five others from a tunnel in Gaza.

In this episode of Inside Israel, titled "No More Yellow Shirts," we examine the implications of this devastating news, and the renewed conversations it has sparked about the true nature of organizations like Hamas and Students for Justice in Palestine.

We also explore whether this tragedy will lead to a broader call for action among Israelis against their own government, and whether it will prompt institutions like the University of Maryland to reconsider their stance on controversial events like the upcoming pro-Palestine October 7th gathering.

The episode’s title, "No More Yellow Shirts," captures two sentiments: first, the frustration with symbolic gestures, like school children wearing yellow shirts or people tying yellow ribbons to that now seem insufficient;  and second, a call to move beyond mere demonstrations and take more concrete actions.

In our Q&A segment, we address listeners' pressing questions about Israel's military strategy and future, such as the controversial decision to keep troops in the Philadelphi Corridor and how this impacts the overall safety and security of Israel.

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Links for Joel’s weekly live Inside Israel broadcasts and video recordings of the most recent episode: www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Joel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joelchasnoff  or @joelchasnoff

Contact Joel with a question or feedback: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.