Professor Ned Lazarus is a conflict resolution scholar, practitioner and evaluator, who has conducted evaluative studies of peacebuilding initiatives on behalf of USAID, USIP, the European Union and the US Department of State. 

We considered the impact of President Isaac Herzog's rapturous reception by the US Congress and the moves afoot for the US to introduce a VISA waiver for Israelis with a quid pro quo for Palestinian-Americans to come to Israel. (0:31-29:44)

Yotam Polizer is CEO of IsraAID, a humanitarian aid NGO based in Israel, that partners with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist in recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters.

Founded in 2001, their volunteer teams have worked in emergency and long-term development settings in more than 60 countries around the world. (29:49-58:21)

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My first guest today is Professor Kobi Michael - senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel and the editor in chief of "Strategic Assessment", a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal on topics related to Israel’s national security and Middle East strategic issues, which is published in Hebrew and English by the Institute for National Security Studies.

Kobi Michael signalled the need for Israel to address the ever-present terrorist threat in Jenin before Israel's recent major assault that aimed at eliminating the terrorist infrastructure in the area also targeting Iranian proxies operating there. (0:45-28:34)

As the FIFA Women's World Cup is about to kick off I invited Barry Shaw to join me in a live conversation in which we will discuss the state of play with women's soccer in Israel, but also consider the amazing successes that Israel has recently had in the men's game.(28:40-56:30)

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I discuss an article by Dr Izzat Abdulhadi - Palestinian envoy to Australia, NZ and the Pacific that was published in The Canberra Times titled ‘Anthony Albanese has chance to stand up for Palestine and change history’ and consider whether it would be appropriate at this time for Australia to recognise a Palestinian state. (0:52-33:31)

With Jerusalem Post Health and Science Reporter Judy Siegel-Itzkovich we examine what is going on with artificial intelligence in advancing research and development in medicine in Israel in particular. (33:31-57:56)

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Avi Melamed is a fourth-generation Arabic-speaking Jerusalemite Jew, former intelligence official, senior advisor on Arab Affairs, and Middle East expert. 

Avi provides apolitical, non-partisan education about the Middle East to a wide variety of Jewish and non-Jewish audiences, from high school students to community and global leaders across the political and ideological spectrum.

His newest book, "Inside The Middle East: Entering a New Era",  has received high acclaim across the Arab world.  "The Seam Line", a five-part documentary series about Jerusalem, is his newest project. (0:28-44:41)

This week I play a short excerpt from the interview with Dr Izzat Abdulhadi that I will play in full on next week’s show. Tune in next week to catch the full episode with Dr Abdulhadi, who is the official Palestinian representative to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. (50:21 -57:51)

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Dr. Maya Sion-Tzidkiyahu teaches about EU relations with Israel at the European Forum and the School of Public Policy at the Hebrew University and at the European Union Studies Program at Tel Aviv University. 

Her areas of expertise include, among others, European Union and European integration, EU – Israel relations, the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and differentiated integration.  (0:33-32:49)

Mike Wagenheim is a politic​al reporter, currently serving as senior U.S. correspondent for the i24NEWS television network, covering American government, diplomacy, religion, business and culture, all through the lens of the Middle East. He is also a correspondent for the 'Jewish News Syndicate', writing about American affairs in the Middle East.

He survived a long career as an award-winning sportscaster. (32:55-54:25)

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