In the space of a week, Israel is once again at war in Gaza, Ben Gvir is back in government, and Netanyahu is moving to oust the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, the Shin Bet. Meanwhile, the U.S. strikes the Houthis, the Houthis strike Israel, and rockets from Gaza target central Israel. With tensions escalating on multiple fronts, Yonit and Jonathan turn to Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel to make sense of the renewed fighting and the wider political-military turmoil.

Plus: A Mensch award for the record-breaking Israeli tech giant Wiz, and a Chutzpah winner for the podcaster who crossed the line.

Join our Patreon community and get access to exclusive content and more

Social links, Unholy store and more

Amos Harel is a prominent Israeli journalist specializing in military and defense affairs. Since 2000, he has served as the military correspondent and defense analyst for Haaretz, one of Israel’s leading newspapers. Throughout his career, he has provided in-depth coverage of Israel’s security challenges, including conflicts and military operations. Harel co-authored two notable books with Avi Issacharoff: The Seventh War: How We Won and Why We Lost the War with the Palestinians (2004), analyzing the Second Intifada, and 34 Days: Israel, Hezbollah, and the War in Lebanon (2008), examining the 2006 Lebanon War.

Yonit and Jonathan break down today's major news: the ceasefire is over. As Israeli airstrikes resume in Gaza leaving hundreds dead and fears grow for the remaining hostages, this short update tackles the most urgent question—what explains what just happened?

Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes (like Saturday Night Live), live zoom calls with Yonit and Jonathan, and more: https://www.patreon.com/unholypod  

Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod

Yonit and Jonathan unpack the latest drama in Israel which many are calling a moment of truth for the country’s democracy: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to remove Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet. What’s behind the move, what does it mean for Israel’s security, and how do the US and Qatar fit into the picture?

Join our Patreon community (promo code for Purim weekend: PURIM25) to get access to bonus episodes (like Saturday Night Live), live zoom calls with Yonit and Jonathan, and more:

 Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod

As tensions rise between Israel’s prime minister and his intelligence chiefs over the scandal known as Qatargate, a former head of the Shin Bet breaks his silence on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. Meanwhile, the UN levels a grave accusation against Israel, sparking outrage and debate.

And since it’s Purim, who better to turn to than one of the sharpest comedic voices of his generation? Alex Edelman stops by to talk about Jewish humour, identity, and the fine art of making people laugh (even in the darkest times).

Join our Patreon community (promo code for Purim weekend: PURIM25) to get access to bonus episodes (like Saturday Night Live), live zoom calls with Yonit and Jonathan, and more: https://www.patreon.com/unholypod

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/GfuwjGHoC8U

Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod

Alex Edelman is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer known for his razor-sharp wit and incisive storytelling. His hit solo show, Just for Us, a deeply personal yet wildly funny take on modern Jewish identity and anti-Semitism, earned critical acclaim on Broadway and in London’s West End. A regular on late-night television and a favourite on the stand-up circuit, Edelman has cemented his place as one of the most exciting comedians of his generation.

Catch Alex on stage (for tickets, visit https://www.alexedelmancomedy.com):

Sunday March 30, 2025 / Providence, RI 

Wednesday April 9, 2025 / Austin, TX 

Thursday April 17, 2025 / Pittsburgh, PA 

Friday April 18, 2025 / Columbus, OH 

Friday May 2, 2025 / Ridgefield, CT 

Saturday June 14, 2025 / Westhampton, NY 

Monday June 16, 2025 / La Jolla, CA 

Thursday June 19, 2025 / Seattle, WA 

Friday June 20, 2025 / Vancouver, BC 

Saturday June 21, 2025 / Portland, OR 

Thursday June 26, 2025 / Chicago, IL 

Friday June 27, 2025 / Madison, WI 

Saturday June 28, 2025 / St. Paul, MN 

This week – New Yorker editor David Remnick partners up with Yonit as guest co-host. As Trump reshapes the global order—strengthening ties with Putin, unsettling NATO, and proposing a radical reimagining of Gaza—Hamas expert Michael Milshtein joins us to break down the latest developments in the region. Meanwhile, the Israeli government officially launches the plan to oust the attorney general , we talk about The New Yorker's centenary, Jeff Bezos’ influence on The Washington Post, and the Oscar-winning documentary ״No Other Land״ sparks debate.

Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes (like Saturday Night Live), live zoom calls with Yonit and Jonathan, and more: https://www.patreon.com/unholypod 

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/aBB-yKk32Ps

Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod 

---- 

David Remnick is an award-winning journalist, author, and the editor of The New Yorker since 1998. 

Michael Milshtein is a leading expert on Hamas and Palestinian affairs, with extensive experience in Israel’s security and intelligence sectors. A former senior analyst in the Israeli military’s intelligence division, he specializes in Palestinian society, politics, and regional dynamics.

As Israel mourns the return of four hostage bodies, pressure mounts ahead of negotiations for the next stage of the deal. Meanwhile, Donald Trump lays out his vision for Gaza in a bizarre, AI-generated video. At the same time, new IDF investigations into October 7th reveal years of misreading Hamas, leaving southern Israel dangerously exposed.

Yonit and Jonathan speak with Ahmed Fouad Al-Khatib, an expert on Hamas, to understand what Gazans really want—and how perceptions on the ground differ vastly from those imagined in Tel Aviv or New York.

Plus: a literary Chutzpah and a stardust Mensch.

Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes (like Saturday Night Live), live zoom calls with Yonit and Jonathan, and more: https://www.patreon.com/unholypod

Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is a Palestinian American humanitarian activist, writer, and policy analyst specializing in Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs. Born in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian parents from Rafah’s Al-Shaboura refugee camp, his family later returned to Gaza, where he survived an Israeli airstrike at age 11, causing permanent hearing loss. After participating in a U.S. State Department exchange program, he sought asylum in the U.S., earning degrees in business administration and intelligence studies. He is the founder of Project Unified Assistance, advocating for a UN-operated humanitarian airport in Gaza, and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Forward, Haaretz, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. Despite losing 31 family members in Gaza since October 7, 2024, Alkhatib remains committed to advocating for peace and coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis.

One of Israel’s darkest days since October 7th, as four hostages return home in coffins—two of them children. Yonit and Jonathan reflect on the profound impact of this moment on the nation and what it means for the fragile negotiations over a second stage of the hostage deal. Meanwhile, as Germany heads to the polls this Sunday, the far-right AfD party is on the rise. With the help of Israeli-German social scientist Meron Mendel, we examine what this surge means for Germany, for Europe, and for Jewish communities watching with unease. 

Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, live zoom calls with Yonit and Jonathan, and more: https://www.patreon.com/unholypod 

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Afb3CKunIt4

Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod

Meron Mendel is an Israeli-German historian, educator, and social scientist specializing in contemporary antisemitism, Jewish history, and Israeli-German relations. Born in Israel, he moved to Germany in 2001 and has served as the director of the Anne Frank Educational Centre in Frankfurt since 2010. A professor of social work at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Mendel is a leading voice in Germany’s discourse on antisemitism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Holocaust remembrance. Mendel frequently engages in public debates on Jewish identity, historical responsibility, and the challenges of integration in multicultural societies.

As Israelis wait for noon on Saturday, and the promised release by Hamas of three more living hostages, Yonit and Jonathan talk through a nerve-wracking few days in which the deal teetered on the brink of collapse. They discuss a turbulent week and the ever-complicated Trump-Netanyahu relationship as the fate of Gaza hangs in the balance.

Meanwhile, scandal as a close adviser to Netanyahu is reported to have been acting as a paid consultant for the Qatari government—while on the payroll at the Prime Minister’s office.

Plus: a Chutzpah award that brooks no competition and a Mensch that’s truly man and woman’s best friend.

Our first Zoom session for Family Members is happening on February 23rd! Join our Patreon community as a Friend of the Pod, Family Member, or just get access to specific bonus episodes (like When Harry met Sally): https://www.patreon.com/unholypod

 Get an exclusive TGIF Unholy Tote Bag: https://bit.ly/4gxErC5

 You can find our social links here:  https://linktr.ee/unholypod

As Israel waits for three more hostages to be released from Gaza, Donald Trump calls for the takeover and emptying out of the Strip—provoking both outrage and debate. This week, Yonit and Jonathan talk about that and much else with a towering figure of American politics: former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who served as ambassador to Japan until last month, joins Unholy.

Plus: our Chutzpah award goes to a TV host who’s already had the honour once before, while our Mensch of the week takes us straight back to the ’90s.

Join our Patreon community as a Friend of the Pod, Family Member, or just get access to specific bonus episodes (like When Harry met Sally): https://www.patreon.com/unholypod

 Get an exclusive TGIF Unholy Tote Bag: 

https://bit.ly/4gxErC5

 You can find our social links here: 

https://linktr.ee/unholypod

As Keith Siegel, 65, returns home after 484 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza—having been abducted from his home on October 7th—Yonit speaks with his wife, Aviva, who was also held hostage and released after 51 days.

The episode includes depictions of abuse and violence. 

----

 You can find our social links here: 

https://linktr.ee/unholypod

Join our Patreon community as a Friend of the Pod, Family Member, or just get access to specific bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/unholypod