The Israel Connexion

Dealing with Antisemitism

The ADL's Deputy National Director Kenneth Jacobson considers how to best tackle antisemitism by examining what Israel is doing to improve the condition of Jews around the world, and what should it be doing differently. He has written that Israel should avoid using antisemitism as political tool [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODk4NDc0MjA2MTc2MjI2NDAsXCJyXCI6MTg5ODQ3NDMxNjAyNTA0NzgwfSIsInMiOiJlZTEwYTRlYzhhYzE2YWRjIn0] and more recently Is America’s Golden Age of Jewish Life Unraveling? [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/is-americas-golden-age-of-jewish-life-unraveling/] and Anti-Zionism is Helping Fuel the Surge in Antisemitism [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionism-is-helping-fuel-the-surge-in-antisemitism/]. [Full interview] Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ [https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Iran in Control, Antisemitism as a Political Tool?

Nissan Ratzlav-Katz is an experienced marketing communications professional and a published columnist. The views are his own. The facts are everybody's. Click to read Letters from the Homeland [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODk4NDc0MjA1OTU2MDI1MjMsXCJyXCI6MTg5ODQ3NDMxNjAyNTA0NzgwfSIsInMiOiJjYTAxMzk2OGMzMWQwMWYxIn0] by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz, a substack publication. Nissan joins me in providing a historical sketch about Hezbollah and Hamas summing up what Israel needs to do to manage the threats from these terrorist organisations. (0:31-27:37) Jonathan Spyer is a British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist of Middle Eastern affairs. He is director of research at the Middle East Forum [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODk4NDc0MjA2MDE4OTM5ODAsXCJyXCI6MTg5ODQ3NDMxNjAyNTA0NzgwfSIsInMiOiIyOTlhMTU2NmUzM2Y0YWIxIn0], editor of Middle East Quarterly magazine, a fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, a freelance security analyst and correspondent for Jane's Information Group [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODk4NDc0MjA2MDcxMzY4NjMsXCJyXCI6MTg5ODQ3NDMxNjAyNTA0NzgwfSIsInMiOiIwZTM2ZTFmMWRmZDUyMDBmIn0], and a columnist for The Jerusalem Post [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODk4NDc0MjA2MTIzNzk3NTksXCJyXCI6MTg5ODQ3NDMxNjAyNTA0NzgwfSIsInMiOiJlNTZiNTk5ZGE3NGJlMzBjIn0]. He sums up his assessment of the trajectory of the war with Iran and its proxies.(27:37-36:52) The ADL's Deputy National Director Kenneth Jacobson considers how to best tackle antisemitism by examining what Israel is doing to improve the condition of Jews around the world, and what should it be doing differently. He has written that Israel should avoid using antisemitism as political tool [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODk4NDc0MjA2MTc2MjI2NDAsXCJyXCI6MTg5ODQ3NDMxNjAyNTA0NzgwfSIsInMiOiJlZTEwYTRlYzhhYzE2YWRjIn0]. (36:58-57:40) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ [https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Israel's Brain Drain, Elections Psychology, Israel vs Hezbollah

Itai Ater is a Professor of Economics at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, a Research Fellow at CEPR, and head of the Israeli Economists’ Forum for Democracy. He holds undergraduate degrees in law and economics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a PhD in economics from Stanford University. Over the years, he has also been a visiting professor at University of California, Berkeley and a senior fellow at the Israeli Democracy Institute. His current research [http://bit.ly/4vpCRcf] focuses on recent emigration trends from Israel which is the main focus in this interview with the discussion spotlighting Israel's brain drain. More broadly, his work examines the cost of living, competition, and transportation policy, with a focus on issues that directly affect everyday life in Israel. (0:31-29:23) ---------------------------------------- Israel goes to the polls very soon – the stakes couldn’t be higher. JNF Australia hosted [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODkyMDk0NjQyNzgwOTE1NTYsXCJyXCI6MTg5MjA5NDc1NDQ5NjIwMTc0fSIsInMiOiJmNTgxMTFlYWZkYWNiNmFlIn0] an exclusive online briefing with Amit Segal – Chief Political Analyst at Channel 12 News and Israel Hayom, bestselling author, and one of Israel’s most influential media voices on politics and current affairs. A frequent contributor to the widely followed Call Me Back podcast, Amit unpacked the rapidly evolving political landscape ahead of Israel’s 2026 elections – including: 🎙️ The key players shaping Israel’s future 🎙️ The major issues driving the national conversation 🎙️ What the elections could mean for Israel and the Jewish world   (29:29-43:32) ---------------------------------------- As U.S.-Iran negotiations continue, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah may be entering a new phase, with the prospect of expanded military operations toward Beirut looming. Media Central [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODkyMDk0NjQyODU0MzE1ODksXCJyXCI6MTg5MjA5NDc1NDQ5NjIwMTc0fSIsInMiOiIyN2Q3Y2JhOTNjNWY3OGQxIn0] invited Dr. Shmuel Bar, a former senior Israeli intelligence official and expert on Middle East strategy and national security, to discuss the strategic implications of a widening campaign. The linkage between developments in Lebanon and negotiations with Iran were examined, and how this dynamic may constrain Israel's freedom of action, while steering the conflict toward a prolonged war of attrition rather than a decisive outcome. The briefing also explored the broader implications for regional security, deterrence and the future of Israel and Lebanon. Dr. Bar has extensive experience analyzing Iran and regional developments and currently focuses on intelligence assessments across the Middle East. He is also a member of Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS).  (43:38-57:24) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ [https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Israeli Arab Issues

Mohammad Darawashe leads Givat Haviva’s strategic development [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODg1NzI3NjkwNjE5NjM2OTcsXCJyXCI6MTg4NTcyNzgxMDUxMzgxNDI2fSIsInMiOiI0YzEzN2M4Y2E3MzA4MmJiIn0] with empathy, innovation, and a lifelong dedication to advancing an equal and shared society in Israel. Currently pursuing a Ph.D., he holds a Master’s in Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Haifa and a Bachelor’s in English and Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  Recognized internationally as an expert on Jewish–Arab relations, Mohammad brings decades of experience in public policy, leadership, and social partnership-building, strengthening Givat Haviva’s vision through dialogue and strategic collaboration. We will discuss the reaction of Israeli Arabs to Israel's wars, crime in Arab communities, the coming elections and the role of Israeli Arabs in Israeli society. [Full interview] Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ [https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Gaza Flotilla Fallout, Israeli Arab Society

Eleven Australians took part in the Gaza flotilla charade and following Ben-Gvir's appalling behaviour dealing with the detainees in Israel the story grew horns. Avi Abelow who calls himself the Pulse of Israel [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODg1NzI3NjkwNDIwNDA3NDIsXCJyXCI6MTg4NTcyNzgxMDUxMzgxNDI2fSIsInMiOiJhYzdiOWFiMWEwYWZmY2EyIn0] wrote about the outfall from the Gaza flotilla with an illuminating perspective [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODg1NzI3NjkwNDgzMzIyMDIsXCJyXCI6MTg4NTcyNzgxMDUxMzgxNDI2fSIsInMiOiI5OGY4NmE5MTAxMjBiMmQ0In0].  "The reaction from Western governments, media outlets, Jewish organizational leaders, and even Israel’s own leadership, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, was immediate outrage directed at Ben-Gvir. To many people, based on how the story has been framed and how we Western-educated Jews have been conditioned to think about what it means to be “good Jews,” that outrage may sound reasonable at first. But according to Avi that is not the real scandal. (0:57-27:23) ---------------------------------------- Mohammad Darawashe leads Givat Haviva’s strategic development [https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODg1NzI3NjkwNjE5NjM2OTcsXCJyXCI6MTg4NTcyNzgxMDUxMzgxNDI2fSIsInMiOiI0YzEzN2M4Y2E3MzA4MmJiIn0] with empathy, innovation, and a lifelong dedication to advancing an equal and shared society in Israel. Currently pursuing a Ph.D., he holds a Master’s in Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Haifa and a Bachelor’s in English and Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  Recognized internationally as an expert on Jewish–Arab relations, Mohammad brings decades of experience in public policy, leadership, and social partnership-building, strengthening Givat Haviva’s vision through dialogue and strategic collaboration. We will discuss the reaction of Israeli Arabs to Israel's wars, crime in Arab communities, the coming elections and the role of Israeli Arabs in Israeli society. (27:23-57:02) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ [https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.