This week, Mike and Laureen confront the dangerous spread of misinformation about famine in Gaza, including interviews with Sky News contributors Danica DiGorgio and Will Kingston, who highlight the urgent need to fact-check false United Nations claims made through the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The hosts reveal how such narratives echo age-old blood libels, fueling modern antisemitism. Author and documentarian Simcha Jacobovici, known as the "Naked Archeologist," offers a rapid but powerful overview of Gaza's 4,000-year Jewish presence and its evolution into today's flashpoint for Islamist nationalism.

Mike and Laureen also take a look at this week's headlines from around the world including: a Congressional probe on antisemitism in the National Education Association; Beverly Hills schools vote to display Israeli flags during Israel Independence Day in a stand against antisemitism; the DNC rejects a proposal cutting aid to Israel; Germany's Chancellor standing firm with Israel during an investigation, while Colombia's socialist government cuts ties and pushes anti-Israel and pro-Gaza agenda; and in the UK, the former president of Columbia University is appointed chief economic advisor to the Prime Minister.

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This week's show features Shabbos Kestenbaum, a former Harvard Divinity student sued the university over its failure to address rampant antisemitism on campus. Justin Hilton of The Israel Guys challenges the international narrative about famine in Gaza, pointing to the massive amounts of aid Israel has facilitated despite global accusations.

Hosts Mike and Laureen unpack the week's headlines: an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza hospital that killed five journalists, ongoing protests inside Israel and the debate over whether access for Western reporters in Gaza would change the headlines. They also highlight Israel's new foreign ministry initiative to host 400 international delegations — bringing more than 5,000 global representatives into the country by year's end.

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This week, Mike and Laureen break down the latest headlines shaping the conversation around Israel and the Middle East. They examine the Democratic Socialists of America's 2025 national convention and the passing of a resolution on the Palestinian "right of return." The hosts explore whether Western journalists should be allowed into Gaza to report freely and uncover the real story behind Anas Al-Sharif — presented by some as an Al Jazeera journalist but revealed to be a Hamas commander. British journalist Melanie Phillips weighs in on the false narrative that Palestinians are the indigenous people of Israel, while Mike and Laureen analyze recent moves by Australia, the UK, France, Malta, Canada, Portugal, Germany and Bahrain to formally recognize "Palestine." Finally, they review author and journalist Matti Friedman's sharp critique of the Associated Press and its disproportionate coverage of Israel, which often casts Israel as the aggressor while downplaying the broader regional hostility it faces.

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This week, Mike and Laureen examine global reactions to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take over Gaza City, including U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio's forceful rebuttal of antisemitic "blood libel" claims circulating in Europe. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee discusses the humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza through Israel, condemns the UK, Ireland and Netherlands for not sending supplies or taking in refugees, and reaffirms America's support for Israel.

We feature Netanyahu's remarks on Hamas blocking two million tons of aid for Palestinian civilians and his three-point plan for safe delivery. Mike and Laureen debate about Israel's restriction of media access to Gaza. Interviews include Palestinian-American humanitarian activist Ahmed Fouad Alkatib, who is highly critical of Hamas, on the dangers of reoccupation without a clear endgame, and TBN Israel's Yair Pinto reporting from the aid corridor where food and supplies await distribution.

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This week, Mike is flying solo and tackling a packed slate of topics. He addresses the controversial claim that Israel is starving Gazans — debunking viral misinformation, including a widely shared photo of a child that turns out to be false. As France moves toward recognizing a Palestinian state, Mike scrutinizes the spread of propaganda and acknowledges the real suffering while challenging the narrative that it's driven by Israeli policy.

Mike reflects on Rabbi Ed Rosenthal's perspective on why does this humanitarian crisis deserve the world's attention and not others – where is the outrage?

The show features Mark Sachs, ELNET's southeast regional director and Jacki Alexander, HonestReporting's CEO, examining the role of journalists and influencers in navigating today's chaotic media environment. And finally, Mike shares Bret Stephens' thought-provoking New York Times column, which questions the genocide accusations against Israel by pointing out inconsistencies in that narrative.

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Allegations that Israel is causing a famine in Gaza have spread rapidly - but the facts tell a very different story. In this episode, Mike and Laureen confront the latest blood libel: claims that IDF soldiers are shooting Palestinians trying to get food. Featuring Oliver "Ollie" Anisfeld, founder and executive producer of J-TV, on combating the demonization of Israel in Western media and the urgent need to spread light and truth; and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, executive director of Israel 365, lays out the evidence that there no starvation crisis in Gaza - and explains why this dangerous narrative is being pushed. Plus, a moment to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne, an outspoken supporter of Israel and vocal opponent of antisemitism. Thank you for listening, sharing and subscribing to the Third Opinion Podcast!

This week's episode features an interview with author Mark D. Friedman about his latest book, "Come On, Let's Reason," detailing why many younger Jews feel disconnected from traditional Judaism — and why embracing Jewish identity doesn't have to mean following all 613 commandments. Friedman offers a thoughtful perspective on how Judaism can evolve without losing its core.

We also highlight a striking moment from a recent J-TV interview, where founder Oliver "Ollie" Anisfeld tells a group of Palestinian students — much to their surprise — that they have no historical claim to the land of Israel, sparking a candid conversation about truth, narrative and identity.

Finally, Mike and Laureen take a closer look at the latest headlines out of Israel, as growing frustration over the ongoing war raises tough questions about leadership, strategy and the path forward.

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The Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains in limbo, raising urgent questions: What does each side truly want from a ceasefire — and who gets to define its success? As families continue to plead for the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, international pressure mounts while domestic divisions intensify. We hear from Shosh Bedrosian of Israel TV (ILTV) and Eric Mandel of the Middle East Political Information Network to unpack the emotional, political and strategic stakes on the ground.

Meanwhile, in New York, the mayoral race takes an unexpected turn as Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo launch independent campaigns, threatening to split Democrats' vote. At the same time, Zohran Mamdani, an anti-Israel candidate, is buoyed by growing support. What does this reveal about the direction — and divisions — of New York's Democratic base? Douglas Murray, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, provides insights on the candidates and the future of New York's Democratic Party.

As proposed peace talks between Israel and Hamas shift by the hour, Mike and Laureen break down the latest developments and where negotiations currently stand. They also examine how Jewish voters are weighing their choices in the New York mayoral race—especially with a prominent anti-Israel candidate in the mix. Plus, the hosts discuss behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Israeli and Saudi delegations during a recent visit to the U.S. This episode features expert insights from Alon Burstein, Israel Institute Fellow at Tufts University, and sharp analysis from Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Jerusalem City Council member and contributor to the Jewish News Service.

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Mike and Laureen analyze the political rise of Zohran Mamdani, winner of New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, and examine the implications of his controversial views. Then, they turn to the U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and share expert insights on damage assessments by Col. Richard Kemp, a former British commander in Afghanistan, on how Gazans view Hamas; Jim Sciutto, CNN's Chief National Security Analyst, on bomb damage assessments and nuclear infrastructure; and remarks from Scott Roecker, Vice President at the Nuclear Threat Initiative and Gen. James "Spider" Marks (Ret.), former commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center.

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