This episode is sponsored by HOLY CHUTZPAH

https://holy-chutzpah.com/

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It’s been three weeks since Israel resumed its ground operations in Gaza—but the mission still feels undefined. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Hamas captivity, and while the IDF maneuvers cautiously on the ground, the sense that we’re holding back our full strength lingers. At the same time, Trump is warning of an imminent strike on Iran, raising the specter of regional escalation.

Domestically, chaos reigns. The government is in crisis over allegations that senior Netanyahu aides advanced Qatari interests. The Prime Minister’s attempt to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has been blocked by the Supreme Court—an unprecedented move that could trigger a constitutional showdown. And just yesterday, a leaked recording of the Shin Bet’s head of the Jewish department revealed him boasting about arresting settlers without any evidence. In a moment where everything feels fragile—national unity, legal order, deterrence—we’re left asking: where is this all headed?

To help us think through these turbulent times, we’re joined by Dr. Ronen Shoval—a political philosopher, public intellectual, and longtime activist in Israel’s ideological landscape. He’s the Dean of the Tikvah Fund and founder of the Argaman Institute for Conservative Thought. He co-founded the influential “Im Tirtzu” movement, has taught at Princeton University, and is the author of Holiness and Society, a groundbreaking new book exploring the political theology of the Bible and its relevance to modern politics. Today, we turn to him to unpack the crisis, the philosophy behind it, and what might come next.

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Not long ago, the biggest story in Israel was the tidal wave of protests against the government’s proposed judicial reforms. Week after week, hundreds of thousands flooded the streets, warning that the very foundations of Israeli democracy were under threat. The demonstrations reflected a moment of bitter internal division. Then came October 7th—and everything changed. The country shifted overnight from bitter internal division to all-out war. But while the fighting continues and the hostages remain in Gaza, the internal battles are slowly resurfacing—this time, with even higher stakes.

In the latest twist, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Now, he’s in the process of interviewing replacements. By law, the Prime Minister can fire the head of the Shin Bet with the government’s approval—but that hasn’t stopped the Attorney General and the Supreme Court from stepping in with objections. For many Israelis, this isn’t just a legal question—it’s a test of who really holds power in the country. And for those who watched the judicial reform protests with concern, it’s a reminder that the battle over Israel’s institutions is far from over.

To help us unpack all of this, we’re joined by Professor Talia Einhorn—a leading expert on Israeli constitutional law. She’s a member of the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments and a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law. She’s held academic posts at Ariel University, Tel Aviv University, and institutions around the world, and she holds many other distinctions in the legal field. Today, she’s here to walk us through the legal drama, the deeper power struggle, and what it all means for Israel’s future. We’re thrilled to be joined today by professor Talia Einhorn.

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On October 7th, Dr. Eli David found himself uniquely poised as the right person in the right place at a pivotal moment. With an X account boasting over 750K followers—mostly conservative Europeans and Americans— he was already a force to be reckoned with, known for his provocative takes on AI, data, and the absurdities of the "WOKE" movement. But that day, everything changed, thrusting him into a new role overnight.

Dr. Eli David is an AI expert, high-tech entrepreneur, and academic at Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Computer Science, where he boasts over 50 academic publications. He’s co-founded innovative companies like Deep Instinct, focused on cybersecurity, and Marpai Health, advancing AI-driven healthcare solutions. Before October 7th, his X account steered clear of Israel or its conflicts, captivating a global audience with tech insights and sharp commentary. Since that fateful day, he’s emerged as Israel’s leading advocate on X, leveraging a platform where his influence ranks second only to Elon Musk among entrepreneurs to confront anti-Israel narratives head-on.

Today, we sit down with Dr. Eli David to unpack Israel’s war in Gaza and explore what lies ahead. How does Trump’s bold proposal—to clear Gaza of its people and have other states absorb them—hold up? Is it a feasible strategy or an unrealistic vision? What should Israel’s current government do in response? We’ll also dive into the stalled hostage deal—months in, with so many still captive, what must Israel do now to bring them home? Plus, with a new U.S. government taking shape, how might it reshape the region? And, of course, we’ll touch on AI’s future—could it transform the battlefield or the narrative itself? With his rare blend of tech insight and advocacy, Dr. David is here to break it all down. Let’s get started.

Dr. David's X account: https://x.com/DrEliDavid

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Dr. Einat Wilf has never been one to shy away from challenging the status quo. Born into a Labor Zionist family, she grew up believing in the dream of peace through compromise and coexistence. But her time working in foreign policy, education, and politics led her to some tough realizations. Over the years, she’s become one of the loudest voices pushing back on what she sees as dangerous illusions—both in Israel and abroad—about the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through her books, like The War of Return, and her public speaking, Dr. Wilf has become a champion of pragmatic Zionism, unapologetically advocating for Israel’s right to exist and thrive in the face of ongoing rejection.

While Einat Wilf shifted gradually away from the Israeli left toward, on October 7th countless Israelis made a similar shift, only drastically. The brutal Palestinian attack not only took thousands of innocent lives but also shattered the belief for many that peace is just a matter of compromise. People who once held onto the hope of coexistence are now questioning everything. This shift, echoing the journey of Dr. Wilf, grapples with hard truths about the conflict and what it will take to secure Israel’s future.

Today, we’re sitting down with Dr. Einat Wilf to talk about her journey, how October 7th has changed the conversation in Israel, and what she thinks lies ahead for Zionism, the conflict, and the Jewish people. Dr. Wilf is a former member of the Israeli Parliament, a prolific author, and one of the sharpest minds on these issues. We’re thrilled to be joined today by Dr. Einat Wilf on the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast with Eytan Weinstein and Naor Meningher.

A year ago, it felt like Israel was holding its breath. Hezbollah loomed in the north, Hamas continued to entrench itself in Gaza, and Assad’s regime in Syria was as ruthless as ever. Iran, the puppet master of this, pulled the strings behind it all, funding and arming its proxies to encircle Israel. Fast forward to today, and the map looks vastly different. Gaza is in ruins, Assad is gone, and Hezbollah has taken a blow. Yet, with every gain comes a new set of challenges. We’re still at war on multiple fronts, the Houthis are firing missiles almost daily, and so many Israelis are still held captive in Gaza.

In this episode, we’re taking a hard look at where we stand. Is Israel any closer to victory? Have we truly restored our deterrence, or is it hanging by a thread? Is there any end in sight to the ongoing front in Gaza? Can we hope for a hostage deal, or will negotiations stretch on indefinitely? What does the defeat of Assad mean for the region, and how is Iran adapting its strategy in response to these shifts? These are the big questions we’ll try to tackle today as we assess whether Israel’s position has genuinely improved or if we’re simply fighting a different version of the same battle.

To help us navigate this intricate landscape, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Dan Schueftan. A leading authority on Israel’s national security and Middle Eastern geopolitics, Dr. Schueftan has been a guest on the podcast many times before. He recently published his new book, The Rise and Fall of the Pan Arab Struggle against Israel, in Hebrew - soon to be out in English. With his keen insights and no-nonsense analysis, he’s the perfect person to help us break it all down. Let’s get into it.

On a regular evening on a language-learning app, Moriel Bareli, a Jewish man from Israel, struck up a conversation with Ahmed, a Muslim from Gaza. What began as an ordinary exchange quickly delved into the depths of geopolitical tension. Ahmed denied Israel's legitimacy, calling it Palestine, and vented his frustration over perceived injustices inflicted by Israelis. This conversation sparked Moriel’s quest to explore the diverse Muslim perspectives on Jews and Israel.

Driven by this initial exchange, Moriel embarked on a journey, engaging with hundreds of Muslims across Israel and the broader Middle East. His dialogues uncovered a wide range of beliefs and misconceptions about Jewish history and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, deeply influenced by Islamic teachings. These interactions, sometimes heated and always enlightening, laid the groundwork for his book, “When a Jew and a Muslim Talk.” Through real stories and personal dialogues, Moriel aims to unveil the complex tapestry of beliefs that shape the current tensions and misunderstandings between Jews and Muslims.

Today, we dive into this critical and timely discussion with Moriel Bareli, exploring the intricate and often hidden layers of dialogue that define and drive the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Join us as we uncover the profound insights and personal stories that Moriel has gathered, offering a unique perspective on one of the most enduring conflicts of our time.

Buy the book here:

https://moriel-bareli.co.il/en/gius-copy/

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We're BACK for another weekly recap.

Things we discussed:

-Assassination of Ismail Haniya

-Massacre in Druze village

-IDF prosecution of reserve soldiers

-Kamala Harris as potential president

-US Secret Service and parade shooter

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