In this sobering episode of Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman sits down with veteran international journalist Dan Perry for an unflinching analysis of Israel's current crisis. Perry, former AP bureau chief in Israel and editor-in-chief for Europe/Africa and the Middle East, argues that Israel faces an existential threat from two converging forces that could destroy the Zionist project within a decade.

Drawing on his extensive journalistic experience covering the Arab Spring and serving as chairman of the Foreign Press Association, Perry warns that Israel's right-wing government is leading the country toward a demographic and economic catastrophe. He identifies the permanent occupation of the West Bank and the unsustainable Haredi population growth as twin engines of potential destruction.

The conversation covers:

* Why Perry believes Israel has "about a decade left to save it"

* The demographic time bomb of Haredi birth rates and economic dependency

* How the contineuation current war in Gaza serves both Hamas and Netanyahu's political interests

* The unprecedented global shift in public opinion against Israel

* Potential solutions requiring "brutal" reforms to the Haredi system

* The possibility of dividing Israel between coastal liberals and interior religious conservatives

Perry doesn't mince words about the current government while offering a realistic roadmap for what a post-Netanyahu coalition would need to accomplish. Perry went on to say that if Israel did resolve these issues, it would emerge as one of the world’s finest countries. This is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the depth of Israel's current challenges beyond the daily headlines.

Dan Perry writes the "Ask Questions Later" newsletter and is a columnist for The Forward, Newsweek, and The Hill.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe