Tel Aviv Diary Podcast

MAY 19, 2026: Startup Nation Under Pressure — Yaniv Rivlin on Israeli Entrepreneurship, War, Tel Aviv, and the Future of the Periphery

In today’s episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc sits down with Israeli entrepreneur, investor, and author Yaniv Rivlin for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of Israel’s economy, society, and startup culture after years of political turmoil, war, and uncertainty. Rivlin recounts his journey from growing up in Katzrin in the Golan Heights to studying at Harvard, working in philanthropy and social impact, launching Bird’s shared scooter operations in Tel Aviv during the height of the mobility revolution, and later founding an investment company focused on small and medium-sized businesses in Israel’s geographic periphery. Along the way, he reflects on why Israeli entrepreneurship continues to thrive under pressure, the role of the military and close-knit social networks in building the country’s tech ecosystem, and the “chutzpah” that continues to define Israeli business culture. The discussion then turns to the deeper strains facing Israeli society after years of COVID, political division, and the post–October 7 reality. Marc and Rivlin examine the widening gap between Israel’s highly successful private sector and what they describe as a struggling and often paralyzed public sector. They discuss the challenges facing small businesses, the collapse of tourism in parts of the country, delayed government compensation, demographic and economic shifts toward Tel Aviv, and whether Israel’s north and south can truly emerge as new centers of growth. The episode closes with a candid exchange about Israeli politics, resilience, and cautious optimism about where the country may stand five years from now. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

War, Politics, and the Future of Mobility: Israel at a Crossroads

This edition of Tel Aviv Diary combines Marc Schulman’s weekly reflections on Israel’s political and security situation with an in-depth interview on one of Israel’s most important emerging technology sectors: autonomous mobility. Marc opens the episode with a candid assessment of the war on Israel’s northern border, as Hezbollah drone attacks continue and another Israeli soldier is killed in South Lebanon. Drawing on historical parallels from earlier Israeli operations in Lebanon, he discusses the danger of becoming trapped in an endless low-intensity conflict and questions whether Israel’s current security doctrine — the idea that every threat must be eliminated militarily — can realistically provide long-term stability. The conversation then turns to Iran, the uncertain role of President Donald Trump, and the growing concern in Israel that too much of the country’s strategic future has been tied to a single American political figure and a single high-risk policy gamble. Marc also reflects on the approaching Israeli elections and explains why he has decided, for the first time, to move beyond commentary and actively support former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and his new political movement. He describes spending the day campaigning in Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market, the reactions he encountered from voters, and why he believes Eisenkot may represent a rare figure capable of reducing some of Israel’s political and social polarization after the trauma of October 7. The second half of the episode shifts from politics and war to technology and the future of transportation. Marc interviews Elad Hofstetter, Chief Business Officer of Innoviz, one of Israel’s leading LiDAR and autonomous driving companies. The discussion explores how LiDAR technology works, why many in the automotive industry believe cameras alone are insufficient for safe autonomous vehicles, and why companies such as BMW, Volkswagen, Mobileye, and others are investing heavily in sensor fusion systems that combine LiDAR, radar, and cameras. The interview also examines the changing economics of autonomous driving technology, the growing role of artificial intelligence in mobility systems, and the broader evolution of the autonomous vehicle market after years of hype and delayed expectations. Hofstetter explains how Innoviz manufactures its systems, how the company survived the difficult consolidation of the LiDAR industry, and why the field may finally be reaching a real commercial turning point. The conversation concludes with a discussion of how technologies originally developed for autonomous vehicles may increasingly find applications in defense and drone detection — subjects now impossible to separate from daily life in Israel. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

MAY 8, 2026: Iran, Hormuz, and Israel’s Strategic Drift — A Conversation with Ehud Haik

In today’s edition of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman is joined once again by geopolitical and intelligence analyst Ehud Haik for an in-depth discussion on one of the most uncertain moments of the current war. As conflicting signals emerge from Washington and Tehran, Marc and Ehud examine whether the United States and Iran are moving toward another round of fighting or toward an unstable diplomatic arrangement that neither side fully trusts. They discuss the strange events of the previous night, the ongoing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, and why both the Americans and Iranians appear to be calibrating escalation carefully while still preparing for the possibility of a much larger confrontation. The conversation explores Iran’s internal power structure, the growing role of the Revolutionary Guards, and the belief in Tehran that time may be working in Iran’s favor as President Trump’s political leverage gradually weakens heading toward the American midterm elections. Marc and Ehud analyze whether the Iranian strategy of prolonging negotiations could succeed, how China and the Gulf states fit into the broader picture, and why the United States may ultimately feel it cannot allow Iran to dominate the Strait of Hormuz or continue advancing toward a nuclear capability. They also discuss the dangerous reality that neither side appears to be observing a true ceasefire, creating the constant risk that a limited exchange could spiral into a much larger war. The second half of the podcast turns inward toward Israel itself and the growing debate over the country’s long-term strategic direction. Marc and Ehud argue that Israel may now be in a worse strategic position than before the latest round of fighting, particularly in Lebanon. They discuss Hezbollah’s recovery, missed diplomatic opportunities with Lebanon and Syria, and what they describe as an increasingly dangerous belief inside the Israeli government that military force alone can solve every strategic challenge. Ehud warns that Israel is drifting toward what he calls a “Sparta model” — a society permanently mobilized for endless war — and explains why he believes that vision is economically, socially, and politically unsustainable. The discussion also addresses the deeper crisis inside Israeli society: the erosion of democratic norms, growing political violence, tensions surrounding the judiciary and security services, and the widening divide between competing visions of Israel’s future. Marc and Ehud examine how the trauma of October 7 reshaped Israeli politics, why many former political rivals are now finding common ground, and whether a future election could produce a broad coalition focused less on left versus right and more on preserving democratic institutions, restoring competence, and preventing further fragmentation of Israeli society. A wide-ranging and candid conversation on war, strategy, diplomacy, and the future direction of Israel and the Middle East. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

American Jews, Israel, and the Search for Hope After October 7

In this joint episode of Tel Aviv Diary and In This Moment: A Rabbi’s Notebook [https://rabbijoshuahammerman.substack.com], Marc Schulman sits down with Rabbi Joshua Hammerman for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation on the state of Israel, American Jewry, and the fragile relationship between them. Broadcast during Schulman’s visit to the United States, the discussion captures a moment of profound anxiety and uncertainty. Both men reflect on the growing sense of fear among American Jews—driven by rising antisemitism, campus hostility, and political polarization—alongside a striking shift in public opinion, where Israel is no longer broadly supported across the American political spectrum. At the same time, they explore the Israeli experience of the past several years: a society shaped by war, repeated missile attacks, mass reserve duty, and an ongoing struggle over the country’s democratic institutions. The conversation moves between the political and the personal. They examine the impact of leadership—both in Israel and the United States—including the roles of Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, and the consequences of increasingly centralized decision-making. They revisit critical turning points, from the Iran nuclear deal to October 7, and debate whether different choices might have altered the trajectory of events—or whether deeper forces were always at work. A central theme is the growing disconnect between Israeli and American Jewish realities. Schulman describes the daily pressures of life under fire in Tel Aviv, while Hammerman outlines the social and political pressures facing Jews in America, including the erosion of church-state boundaries and the reemergence of both traditional and new forms of antisemitism. Each challenges the other’s assumptions, underscoring how differently these communities now experience the same conflict. The discussion also turns to the battle over narrative—how Israel has struggled to communicate its story in a world dominated by visual media—and the long-term implications of losing the “public relations war.” They explore generational divides, the influence of social media, and the decline of unified Jewish leadership in the United States. Despite the gravity of the issues, the episode ultimately looks toward the future. Drawing on history—from the Holocaust to the peace with Egypt—they ask whether transformative leadership is still possible. Could a figure like Anwar Sadat emerge again? Is there a path to restoring trust between Israel and American Jewry? And can both societies find a way to move beyond trauma toward a renewed sense of purpose? This is a candid, unscripted conversation between two longtime colleagues and friends—one rooted in Tel Aviv, the other in American Jewish life—grappling with some of the most urgent questions facing the Jewish people today, and ending, deliberately, with a search for hope. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Between Sirens and Sovereignty: Yom HaZikaron, War, and Israel’s Uncertain Moment

On the eve of Yom HaZikaron, Marc Schulman is joined once again by Yitzhak Sokoloff for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about memory, sacrifice, war, and the uncertainty hanging over Israel’s future. As Israel comes to a standstill for Memorial Day, they reflect on the singular weight of Yom HaZikaron in Israeli life, the rising number of fallen soldiers, and the emotional burden carried not only by bereaved families, but by an entire country still living through war. From there, the discussion turns to the larger national picture: the unresolved campaigns against Hezbollah and Iran, the gap between military reality and political rhetoric, and the growing danger Israel faces in the information war abroad. Along the way, they confront painful questions about leadership, morality, deterrence, Jewish identity, and what it means for Israel to defend itself while also trying to remain true to its deepest values. It is a sobering, thoughtful episode about grief, strategy, and the struggle to preserve both security and soul in one of the most difficult periods in Israel’s modern history. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]