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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/

Support us at patreon.com/2njb

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We're back with a full plate of goodies just for you! Tune in ;)

You know the drill. Another thrilling weekly recap is here just for you!

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Support us at https://patreon.com/2njb

Support us at patreon.com/2njb

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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

AND MUCH MORE! TUNE IN!

Support us at https://patreon.com/2njb

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We're BACK for another thrilling weekly recap! Tune in!

Eytan and Naor discuss the assassination attempt on former President Trump, Israel's campaign in Gaza, and the recent controversy surrounding Israel's prosecution charging IDF soldiers for 'murdering' Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

Tune in!

WE'RE BACK!

On today's episode we talked about:

-Trump-Biden debate

-Biden's mental decline

-Israel's war efforts

-Releasing Hamas prisoners

-Israeli election debates

-Military leadership criticism

-Roger Waters' antisemitism

-Jewish state expansion

And much more! Tune in!

On a foggy morning in London, over a century ago, a visionary chemist met with one of Britain's most influential politicians. This wasn't just any meeting; it was a pivotal moment that would forever alter the course of Jewish history. Chaim Weizmann, a Russian immigrant and a passionate Zionist, found himself in the drawing room of Lord Arthur James Balfour. Armed with his sharp intellect and relentless drive, Weizmann presented his case for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. His argument was compelling, blending the urgent need for a safe haven for Jews with the potential benefits to the British Empire. This meeting, pivotal in its outcome, led to the historic Balfour Declaration of 1917, which proclaimed British support for the establishment of "a national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

Today, we delve into this extraordinary story with Professor Jehuda Reinharz, a distinguished historian and former President of Brandeis University. As co-author of the biography "Chaim Weizmann: A Biography," Professor Reinharz brings us closer to understanding the man behind the political triumph. Through his journey from the shtetls of Belarus to the highest echelons of global politics, Weizmann navigated the turbulent waters of early 20th-century geopolitics with a singular goal: the realization of a Jewish state.

Professor Jehuda Reinharz is currently the Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History at Brandeis University. He served as the President of Brandeis University from 1994 to 2010. Professor Reinharz is the recipient of the President of Israel Prize along with many other awards and accolades, far too long to list. We are thrilled to be joined on the podcast today by Professor Jehuda Reinharz to discuss the life and legacy of Chaim Weizmann, the current state of affairs for Zionism, and of course, as we have one of American academia's foremost scholars with us, the recent anti-Israel protests across US university campuses. Stay tuned, this episode is sure to be an interesting one.

"Chaim Weizmann: A Biography" on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Chaim-Weizmann-Biography-Institute-European/dp/1684581966