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For ten years, Leah Goldin's son Hadar has been held by the Hamas terror regime after being killed and abducted during a ceasefire in 2014. In this emotional and powerful episode of "State of a Nation," Leah shares her family's relentless struggle to bring Hadar's remains back to Israel for a proper burial. She discusses the challenges they've faced, including judicial, political and business interests that have hindered their efforts, and the broader implications of the Israeli government's policies toward Gaza. Leah also reflects on the impact of the October 7th massacre, which led to hundreds of new hostages, and how her family has worked tirelessly to support other affected families. Join us as Leah calls on the international community to take action and explains what each of us can do to help bring all the hostages home.

The story of Hadar Goldin serves as a cautionary tale for anyone sufficiently naive enough to think a terrorist army would respect a ceasefire.

Please watch, share, and support the fight to free the hostages.

Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Assistant Director - Benny Goldman

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Shai Davidai joins us to confront the pressing issues of antisemitism and indoctrination within academia. Broadcasting from our new studio in Tel Aviv, this episode dives deep into the challenges that mark the future of education and Jewish identity in Academia and worldwide. Join us for an eye-opening discussion that pulls no punches in addressing the controversial dynamics at play in universities today

Credits: 
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Research - Dan Dimendberg

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As a child immigrant from rural Ethiopia, Mehereta Baruch Ron could never have imagined should would one day become deputy mayor of Israel's largest city, the international metropolitan Tel Aviv. In this riveting conversation with Eylon Levy, she shares her powerful story of perseverance, identity, and faith, recounting her community's ancient connection to Jerusalem, the harrowing journey through Sudan, and the profound cultural shock upon arriving in Israel. We also explore the unique form of Judaism practiced in Ethiopia, its biblical roots, and the challenges faced by Ethiopian Jews both in Ethiopia and in Israel. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of identity, belonging, and the misconceptions surrounding Israel in the global discourse.

Credits: 
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Research - Dan Dimendberg

00:00 Coming Up
00:56 Monologue
02:33 Main Titles
02:48 Introduciton
04:55 Ethiopian Jews - guardians of biblical Judaism
12:11 Ethiopian Zionism
18:36 Growing up in Ethiopia
23:03 Journey to Jerusalem
27:33 Meeting European Jews and modern Israel
30:22 The Left and Israel

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Former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus joins Eylon for a deep dive into Israel's strategic challenges on the communications front. Conricus shares his inside perspective on Israel's approach to information warfare, public diplomacy, and the evolving military strategy against Iranian proxies. He candidly discusses the IDF's tactical successes, the shortcomings in Israel's strategic planning, and the urgent need for a more coherent national strategy against Iran's growing influence. Conricus also offers insights into how Israel can improve its international messaging and why it's crucial to prioritize global public relations in the ongoing conflict. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the complexities of modern warfare and the future of Israel's national security.

Credits: 
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Research - Dan Dimendberg

00:00 Coming Up
00:46 Monologue
02:29 Main Titles
02:43 Introductions
04:03 Comms strategy vs military strategy
12:00 Inside the IDF spokesperson unit
21:38 Conflicts of messaging to domestic, international, and enemy audiences
27:47 How UN and NGOs betrayed Palestinians
34:44 Is Israel losing the information war
39:11 Jonathan's plan for Israel public dipolomacy
49:30 Media bias
54:25 Iran strategy
04:33 Abba or Aba?

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Lahav Harkov, a Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider, shares with Eylon Levy the complexities of media coverage during Israel's ongoing conflict. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the international media's obsession with Israel, the challenges Israel faces in the information war, and the unique aspects of the Israeli and international media landscapes.

Harkov offers insights on why the international media seems to focus disproportionately on Israel, often in a critical light, while larger conflicts around the world receive far less attention, if at all. She also addresses the organizational differences between Israeli and Palestinian messaging strategies, with Palestinians appearing more unified in their approach. The conversation touches on the role of journalists in Israel, the skepticism often applied to Israeli sources, and the perceived biases within major news outlets like The New York Times, BBC, CNN, and others.

This episode provides an in-depth look at the struggles Israel faces in shaping global perceptions during the war and highlights the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in a complex and often biased media environment.

Follow Lahav at: 
https://jewishinsider.com/

Credits: 
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Research - Odelia Glausiusz

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Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, returns for a second visit to presents a decade's worth of evidence exposing the troubling activities within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other supposed "humanitarian" international bodies. He sheds light on the involvement of senior UNRWA officials, revealing their material support for terrorism and the alarming influence they wield over thousands of educators in the region.

Hillel and Eylon explore the far-reaching consequences of UNRWA's actions, not just for Israel, but for the stability of the Middle East as a whole. This episode is a critical deep dive into the controversial operations of an organization that has long been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Join us for an eye-opening conversation that challenges the narratives surrounding UNRWA and uncovers the hidden realities of its impact on the region.

Credits: 
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Research - Dan Dimendberg

00:00  Coming Up
00:38  Monologue
02:18  Main Titles
02:34  Introduciton
03:21  UNRWA's complicity in Oct 7
09:11  UN Cover-up
15:36  The UNRWA Hamas partnership
23:06  UNRWA in Lebanon
25:54  Philippe Lazzarini's role
27:59  UNRWA's real goal, and the countries that support it
34:27  Francesca Albanese
44:57  The ICJ and Nawaf Salam

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Jake Wallis Simons, editor of The Jewish Chronicle and author of the prescient 2023 book Israelophobia, sits down with Eylon for a deep dive into the latest incarnation of the world's oldest hatred.  Simons breaks down the obsessive hatred of Israel, and the Anti-Semitism that it masks, and traces the evolution of Jew hatred from religious to racial, and now to political forms.

The conversation covers the rise of anti-Israel sentiment, particularly among younger generations in the UK, influenced heavily by social media and radical ideologies. Simons expresses concern over the complacency of Western societies, particularly in Britain, where anti-Israel protests have become increasingly prominent. He warns of the dangers of this complacency, suggesting that the West could face serious challenges if it fails to defend its values against growing external threats from countries like Iran, Russia, and China.

Simons also discusses the potential implications of a Labour government in the UK under Sir Keir Starmer, particularly regarding UK-Israel relations, and the possibility of diplomatic crises arising from Labour's stance on Israel and Palestine. The episode concludes with a game where Simons critiques prominent figures known for their anti-Israel rhetoric, highlighting the impact of their views on public opinion.

This episode provides a deep dive into the intersection of anti-Semitism, politics, and media, offering insights into the challenges facing Israel and the broader implications for Western democracies.

Follow Jake at:
https://www.thejc.com
https://x.com/JakeWSimons

Credits: 
Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy
Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross
Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans
Director - Lotem Segev
Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch
Research - Dan Dimendberg

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What’s left of the Israeli left, and what direction will it take now in a post-October 7 world? The Israeli Left, to put it lightly, is in crisis. One of those left-wing figures under attack for speaking up for Israel is Fania Oz-Salzberger, a renowned historian, writer, and history professor. Daughter of the stalwart of the early Israeli left, writer Amos Oz, Fania believes that the Zionist left still holds the keys to peace with our Palestinian neighbors. 

Fania discusses her optimism rooted in her kibbutz education and resilience despite the challenges facing Israeli society. She believes that hope is a vital force, particularly in facing adversity. She describes the divisiveness in Israeli society as an illness. She emphasizes the importance of the Zionist left's role in pushing forward towards peace and a two-state solution. Despite the setbacks, including the October 7th attacks by Hamas, she remains committed to this pragmatic vision.

She criticizes both Hamas and Israeli policies that she believes have hindered the two-state solution. Salzberger advocates for a renewed effort towards peace, involving international and regional cooperation, and stresses the need for a political horizon to de-radicalize both Israeli and Palestinian societies.

Salzberger addresses the anti-Zionist left and the challenges posed by their views, emphasizing the importance of a moderate, pragmatic approach to Zionism that balances security with humanism. She also discusses the academic and social challenges faced by pro-Israel voices in the current global climate.

Throughout the interview, she underscores the need for nuanced, informed discussions and the importance of maintaining Israel's right to exist and defend itself while striving for a peaceful resolution with the Palestinians.

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Is the world once again turning against the Jews?  David Hazony's prophetic essay, "The War Against the Jews," written shortly after the October 7th massacre was early to identify some disturbing trends.  Hazony discusses the rising global tide of anti-Semitism, the divergent experiences of Jews in Israel and the diaspora, and the urgent need for American Jews to recognize and combat this new wave of hatred. Together with Eylon Levy, they explore the strategic and ideological battle lines being drawn, the critical role of young Zionists, and how the Jewish community must adapt and mobilize in the face of these unprecedented challenges. Don't miss this in-depth conversation on the future of Jewish identity, security, and resilience.

David Hazony's Essay "The War Against the Jews": https://sapirjournal.org/war-in-israel/2023/11/the-war-against-the-jews/ 

Tags:
#StateOfTheNation #DavidHazony #JewishIdentity #AntiSemitism #October7th #JewishDiaspora #Israel #Zionism #Podcast #EylonLevy

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In this thought-provoking episode of "State of the Nation," Dr. Daniel Gordis delves into the strategic dilemmas facing the Jewish diaspora, particularly American Jews, in light of recent geopolitical events and the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Dr. Gordis explores the internal conflicts within the American Jewish community, the shifting political allegiances post-October 7th, and the broader implications for Jewish identity and safety. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of Jewish history, politics, and the complex relationship between American Jews and Israel.

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