In this special episode, Marc welcomes Professor Danny Orbach, military historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for a deep conversation on war crimes, international humanitarian law, and the media’s handling of the Gaza war. Orbach explains why he and his colleagues launched an in-depth study to challenge faulty genocide claims, how propaganda funnels distort reporting, and why Israel struggles in the information war despite unprecedented humanitarian efforts. He also shares his findings on casualty numbers, safe zones, and the dynamics of atrocities in modern conflict. A wide-ranging and timely discussion on history, law, and the narratives shaping today’s battlefield.

On the 700th day of the war, Tel Aviv Diary turns its focus away from Gaza briefly to explore the urgent challenges facing Jewish students in North America. Marc Schulman speaks with Lauren Steinberg, Managing Director for K-12 and Campus Engagement at the Jewish Federations of North America. They discuss the surge in antisemitism after October 7, the shifting climate on U.S. campuses and schools, and how Jewish federations are working to support students, parents, and educators. From Holocaust education to Israel advocacy, from combating online disinformation to strengthening community ties, this episode examines the frontlines of Jewish life in America today—and what can be done to build resilience for the future.

I had a great discussion with Rabbi Josh Hammerman last night. it’s a long one, but I think you’ll find it both engaging and worthwhile.

BREAKING NEWS: The remains of two Israelis held hostage were recovered from Gaza yesterday. One was identified as Ilan Weiss (56) from Kibbutz Be’eri, while the identity of the second has not yet been confirmed.

In today’s episode of Tel Aviv Diary, I sit down with an old friend and former college roommate, Yitzhak Sokoloff, for a wide-ranging and candid conversation. Our views often diverge—he leans a little right, I lean a little left—(although we both think those definitions are no longer valuable) but our shared history and mutual respect make for an engaging and honest debate.

We trace Yitzhak’s journey from our days at Columbia University through his visit to Israel during the Yom Kippur War, his decades of teaching and community work, and his life in Efrat. Along the way, we dive into some of the most pressing issues facing Israel today: the war in Gaza, the fate of the hostages, the role of Hamas, and the absence of a credible “day after” strategy.

The discussion is spirited but thoughtful, balancing our disagreements with reflections on Israel’s deeper challenges—existential threats, internal divisions, and the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.

This is the longest podcast I’ve ever recorded, and perhaps one of the most important, because it captures not only two contrasting viewpoints but also the urgent, unresolved dilemmas facing Israel at this critical moment.

Tel Aviv Diary: Inside Israel's UN Mission with Jonathan Harounoff

Join host Marc Schulman for an eye-opening conversation with Jonathan Harounoff, the international spokesperson for Israel's mission to the United Nations. Born in London to an Israeli mother and British father, with Iranian grandparents from Mashhad, Jonathan brings a unique multicultural perspective to one of the world's most challenging diplomatic positions.

What You'll Discover:

Behind the Scenes at the UN: Get an unprecedented look at daily life representing Israel at the United Nations during one of the most turbulent periods in recent history. From emergency Security Council sessions to managing media crises, Jonathan reveals what it's really like to be on the front lines of international diplomacy.

The Media Battle: As a former journalist turned spokesperson, Jonathan offers insider insights into how news gets made—and distorted. Learn about the two types of journalists he encounters, the devastating impact of push notifications on public perception, and why headlines often tell a completely different story than the articles themselves.

Iran Through Personal Eyes: Jonathan discusses his powerful new book "Unveiled: Inside Iran's Women's Life Freedom Revolt" (releasing September 25th), drawing on his Iranian heritage and extensive interviews with Iranians both inside the country and in the diaspora. Discover the stark differences between the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic regime, and hear moving stories from the Women, Life, Freedom uprising.

Key Moments Include:

* Why the Houthis remain "remarkably unscathed" compared to other Iranian proxies

* The shocking reality of how Tehran could run out of water within months

* Personal stories from Iranian protesters, including a mother shot in the eye during demonstrations

* The historical parallel between today's Iranian women's resistance and protests from 1979

* How hostage diplomacy became a successful strategy exported from Iran to Hamas

This episode offers rare insights into two critical fronts: the diplomatic battle at the UN and the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran. Whether you're interested in Middle Eastern politics, media dynamics, or human rights, this conversation provides essential context for understanding today's complex geopolitical landscape.

Book Information: "Unveiled: Inside Iran's Women's Life Freedom Revolt" will be available September 25th, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and the beginning of the Women, Life, Freedom uprising.

This episode of the Tel Aviv Diary features host Marc Schulman interviewing Dr. Jonathan Boxman, a biologist and epidemiologist who conducted independent research on humanitarian aid effectiveness together with Prof. Netta Barak-Corren. The discussion centers on Boxman's findings from a study that began earlier in 2025, which aimed to identify successful humanitarian aid programs but ultimately found that none truly work as intended.

Key findings discussed:

* Aid diversion is widespread: In most conflict zones, only 10-15% of humanitarian aid actually reaches its intended recipients, with the rest being stolen, diverted, or used to enrich armed groups and warlords

* The four humanitarian principles (humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence) are often counterproductive in practice, as they prevent effective monitoring and security measures

* Case studies include Somalia (where aid has perpetuated a 40+ year conflict), Ethiopia (where aid stoppage actually improved conditions), and other conflict zones where aid becomes the primary economy that armed groups can exploit

Gaza-specific analysis: Boxman argues that Gaza represents a particularly challenging case where Hamas has become entirely dependent on taxing humanitarian aid since other funding sources have been cut off. He estimates that 88% of aid entering Gaza between May-August 2024 never reached UN warehouses.

Proposed solutions:

* Abandon unconditional aid delivery and use incentive-based approaches

* Work with "least worst" local actors rather than maintaining strict neutrality

* Accept that effective aid delivery requires armed security and monitoring

* For Gaza specifically: establish Israeli-controlled local administrations in secured areas while continuing to allow monitored aid in other regions

The conversation highlights the fundamental tension between humanitarian ideals and practical realities in conflict zones, suggesting that current international humanitarian frameworks are systemically flawed and unsustainable.

In this August 15th, 2025 episode of Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman reflects on a week without major developments but heavy with underlying tensions. He explores Israel’s stalled war in Gaza, the plight of hostages, and the puzzling lack of large-scale public protest compared to the judicial reform demonstrations. Schulman critiques Israel’s failures in global information warfare, warns about shifting U.S. political attitudes toward Israel, and challenges unrealistic expectations about Gaza’s future governance. He also examines domestic tensions over ultra-Orthodox military service, voices concerns about Trump’s meeting with Putin, and analyzes the economic risks of U.S. immigration policy changes. The episode closes with thoughts on AI’s rapid evolution, the muted reception of ChatGPT 5.0, and how AI is reshaping work and media.

Last night, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Royce, a full-time digital creator on Substack. I think you will enjoy the conversation

In this impassioned episode of Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman delivers a searing critique of the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to occupy all of Gaza—a move opposed by the IDF Chief of Staff and one that Schulman warns will prolong the war, doom the remaining hostages, and deepen Israel’s isolation. He dissects Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political calculations, the influence of far-right coalition partners, and the absence of a viable “day after” plan, while reflecting on the growing divide between government actions and public will. The episode also turns to Washington, where Schulman takes aim at President Trump’s escalating tariffs, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine crusade, and environmental rollbacks. Blending sharp analysis with raw emotion, Schulman paints a sobering portrait of two governments making fateful—and, in his view, dangerously misguided—choices.

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.