Inside Israel with Joel Chasnoff

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]

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"In Israel, a woman can fly F-15s in the Air Force, be the CEO of a high-tech unicorn, and even become Prime Minister – but she can’t file for divorce.” 

So says Susan Weiss, Executive Director and founder of the Center for Women’s Justice in Jerusalem. 

In this episode of Inside Israel, I talk with Susan about how and why Israel’s laws of marriage and divorce are biased against women as well as men. Susan will also share examples of some of the most marriage- and divorce-related cases she’s taken to court over her storied human rights career. 

Finally, in the Hebrew Is Magic Segment, Susan shares an eye-opening (and shocking) insight about the word kadosh, commonly translated into English as “holy.” 

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

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Since October, the phrase Yachad Nena’tzeach—“Together We Will Win”—has become the rallying cry of Israeli society.

But how realistic is this mantra?

With 115 hostages still in Gaza, over 300 soldiers killed in action, more than 60,000 Israelis displaced from their homes, and the constant threat of Iranian and Hezbollah attacks, do we even have the right to speak about “victory”?

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, I explore three possible interpretations of “Together We Will Win” and suggest one way that victory might actually be within reach.

I also tackle listener questions about the Tzir Philadelphi—the Philadelphia Corridor in Gaza—and discuss the likelihood of the current hostage-ceasefire deal coming to fruition.

Today’s broadcast coincides with the 24th birthday of Romi Gonen, who was kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7th. We hope and anticipate that Romi and the other 114 hostages will return home to Israel soon.

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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.

Ra’anana resident Yoav Cohen is a husband and father of three, and he works at one of the most successful Israeli high-tech companies in the world. 

Yoav is also a Master Sergeant in the IDF’s Magav Unit (Border Police). In late October 2023, he and his platoon deployed to Israel’s northern border for what would ultimately be a hundred days of military reserve duty. 

On this week’s episode of Inside Israel, I speak with Yoav about the impact that extended reserve military service has had on him and his family, as well the implications for his job. 

We discuss the prevalence of PTSD among IDF reservists and what the government is doing about it (if anything at all), and the month Cohen and his fellow soldiers spent living in a youth hostel in the north with Israeli civilians who’ve been evacuated from their homes since the outbreak of the current war. 

Finally, in the Hebrew Is Magic segment, Yoav explains the part of Hebrew he finds most magical of all: that any noun can be conjugated into a verb. 

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

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In this week's episode of Inside Israel, I’ll perform a cost-benefit analysis of the recent eliminations of two significant figures: Senior Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas Political Leader Ismail Haniyeh.

These high-profile assassinations, executed through precise operations, highlight Israel's ongoing efforts to thwart terrorist activities and send a powerful message to its enemies.

I’ll start by discussing the benefits of these actions, such as diminishing the chances of future terror plots, demoralizing enemy ranks, and exposing vulnerabilities within their intelligence networks. However, the costs are significant too, including the potential hindrance to hostage negotiations and the looming threat of retaliatory strikes.

In the listener questions segment, I’ll tackle inquiries about the preferred approach to the war against Hamas and Hezbollah, the awareness of potential dangers on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, and the necessity of political system changes in Israel.

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 "I am Iron and You Cannot Break Me," I discuss the rally I attended last Saturday night in Kikar Ha’hatufjim – “Hostage Square”—in Tel Aviv.

It was the first rally of any kind that I’d participated in. I came away from the gathering with a number of takeaways, including a few that surprised me – and may surprise you.

In the news portion of the podcast, we’ll talk about the horrific Hezbollah attack on a soccer field in Majds al Shamps in the Golan Heights, in which 12 children were killed and many more left fighting for their lives. Israelis are responding to this attack with two thoughts: first, how did our army become so impotent that we allow Hezbollah to repeatedly kill our own? And second, how will we respond – and will our response lead to war?

Finally, I’ll address listener questions about this fall’s US presidential election and the phenomenon of Israelis at Jewish summer camps in North America.

To learn more about Inside Israel, or to sign up for my newsletter, “Hebrew Is Magic,” visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast.

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What’s it like to be a combat soldier in Gaza?

In tonight's episode, I’ll tell you about my recent conversation with Omer, a 25-year-old IDF combat soldier who entered Gaza with his IDF platoon on the first day of last October’s ground invasion.

We’ll dive into four key aspects of Omer’s story:

- The intelligence his platoon received before entering Gaza, and how this intel was wrong

- What it’s like day to day as a combat soldier in Gaza, most notably, the mix of absolute chaos and mind-numbing monotony

- The booby-trapped tunnel that Omer’s team encountered, and the psychological aftermath he and his comrades are still dealing with

- A detailed account of October 7th itself, from his eyes

In the news segment, we'll discuss the latest updates on the hostage deal, Netanyahu's trip to the US, and Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race.

We’ll then address listener questions, including what happens when the Haredi community defies draft orders. Finally, in our Hebrew is Magic segment, we'll explore the word "לטרפד" (l’tarped) – an old word that’s been brought back to life in recent months.

Video of this week’s pod, and a link for the live broadcast, are available at www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast.

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In this episode of Inside Israel, we explore three interconnected stories related to "kids"—both literal and figurative. 

First, we delve into the perspectives of young Jewish teens from Colorado whom I met last week in Tel Aviv. These teens are eager to learn about their heritage and the future of Judaism, yet we are failing to provide them with the necessary guidance. I emphasize the need for a centralized resource to address anti-Semitism and misconceptions about Israel, including soldier testimonies from those who’ve served in Gaza. 

Next, we examine the childish antics within the Knesset, where infighting and petty threats are common, contributing to public frustration. Recent polls show a significant demand for Netanyahu's resignation and a strong desire for a hostage deal. 

I conclude with a story that hits home: The Knesset recently passed a law extending the mandatory service for males in the IDF from 2 years and 8 months to 3 years, a change that directly impacts my own son. It’s one of many examples of the personal stakes that everyday Israelis like myself face with recent legislative decisions.

In the Q&A segment, I address listener questions about the challenges facing Israel's Iron Dome defense system, and Netanyahu's upcoming address to the US Congress.

To get links to live broadcasts and sign up for my newsletter, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast.

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In today's episode, we're diving into the troubling rise of "Jew on Jew" violence in Israel, looking at three main angles: citizens attacking institutions, institutions attacking citizens, and subtle civilian conflicts. We'll start with the most obvious cases, like the Hilltop Youth and settlers clashing with the IDF and police in the West Bank, similar to the Branch Davidians in the US. There’s also tension among the Haredim. On the flip side, we see police using heavy-handed tactics at protests, following orders from powerful figures like Ben Gvir. Plus, we'll talk about more subtle conflicts in daily life, like a soldier’s wedding and a story about my gardener, Amit.

Experts, including myself, see this internal strife as Israel's biggest threat, even more so than Hamas or a nuclear Iran. The government, led by extremists, only makes things worse, stirring fears similar to political nightmares in the US. We urgently need leaders who recognize and tackle these problems. While I believe some conflict might be unavoidable, there’s a bit of hope from David Passig's long-term positive outlook for Israel.

In the news, we’ll discuss a big hostage deal that 67% of Israelis support, seeing it as crucial for bringing hostages home. We’ll also look at the situation in the North, where it seems Hezbollah wants out and Israel’s military pressure is working. Recent polls show a potential shift towards a center-right coalition led by Naftali Bennett. Finally, we’ll answer listener questions about travel concerns amid potential conflicts and the impact of anti-Semitic incidents in the US, offering some context and insights. Plus, we have a special guest, Brian Jaffee, CEO of the Cincinnati Jewish Foundation, joining us to talk about the recent desecration of Jewish headstones at cemeteries in Ohio.

You can get links to live broadcasts of Inside Israel at www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast). Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you're enjoying the pod, please give it a rating!

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When I lived in the US, I regularly donated to Doctors Without Borders, inspired by their mission to provide free medical care to all. As the son of a physician who served Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, I admired their work.

However, I will no longer donate to them.

This week, Israel discovered that Dr. Fadi Al-Wadiya, associated with the organization, is also an expert bomb maker and intelligence consultant for Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

In this episode of Inside Israel, I'll discuss the implications of this revelation and how it challenges the concept of "innocent Gazans," a notion widely accepted globally but viewed differently by Israelis.

I'll also highlight the significance of June 30 in Israel, a date every elementary school child here eagerly awaits.

As always, I'll answer your questions.

Finally, I'll introduce a new feature of the pod called "Hebrew Is Magic," in which I reveal the hidden life lessons in specific Hebrew words.

For live broadcast links, sign up for the Hebrew Is Magic newsletter at www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast. You can also submit your questions there or email them to [email protected].

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