Alan Skorski recently sat down with Ruthie Blum, former Netanyahu speechwriter and senior contributing editor at JNS, to discuss her recent column, Hasbara And The Traitors Among Us. In it, Blum highlighted examples of prominent Israelis undermining the Jewish state’s image abroad — including Channel 12 anchorwoman Yonit Levy, who accused the government of a “moral failure” rather than a PR failure, and former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who charged Netanyahu with conducting an “illegitimate war” for personal and political gain.

Alan noted that this phenomenon is not unique to Israel. “In America,” he said, “we have our own share of Jewish leftists and progressives marching alongside Hamas supporters — and some are even considering voting for an antisemitic Islamist for Mayor of New York City.”

Asked why today’s Jewish Israel-bashers in Israel seem more vocal and dangerous, Blum traced the trend back to the late 1970s. Until 1977, Israel’s political leadership leaned left, as the country was largely socialist. But regardless of ideology, all former prime ministers and generals were hawkish on security and foreign policy. That changed, she said, when Menachem Begin’s Likud Party came to power, sparking resentment among parts of the left. Unlike in America’s volunteer military, Blum noted, Israel’s universal draft means that left-leaning citizens serve alongside more hawkish peers — and some bring their political hostility into the public sphere.

The conversation also turned to Israel’s public diplomacy, or hasbara. Some have urged the government to hire a “well-financed” PR team to counter the flood of anti-Israel propaganda. But Blum argued that respected voices such as Douglas Murray, Colonel Richard Kemp, and Mosab Hassan Yousef can often deliver Israel’s case more effectively than official representatives. She emphasized that the propaganda war is less about rapid rebuttals and more about the sheer numbers and funding behind “Palestinianist” messaging. Ultimately, she said, “the best PR will be victory” — defeating Hamas, rescuing hostages, and restoring security.

Addressing reports from liberal outlets that IDF troops are “exhausted” after nearly two years of fighting, Blum countered that many reservists and veterans — even those with severe injuries — are eager to return to service. “They want the job finished so Hamas can never threaten Israel again,” she said.

-VIN News

Alan Skorski Reports 18AUG2025 - PODCAST