Inside Israel with Joel Chasnoff

Lebanon. It is a quagmire. A mess. And despite this – or maybe because of it – we keep going back. In today’s episode of Inside Israel, I explain Lebanon to you. We’ll start in June 1982, with Operation Peace to the Galilee – a war that brought anything but peace. I’ll tell you why Israel ended up staying in Lebanon for 18 more years, until a sudden pullout in 2000, and why we’ve returned two more times since then. Along the way, I’ll share stories from my own experiences as a combat soldier in the South Lebanon Security Zone in the late 1990s. I’ll also tell you why Lebanon has sometimes been referred to by Israelis as “Israel’s little Vietnam,” as well as what Israel might learn from our mistakes in Lebanon in the past, so that we don’t repeat those same mistakes in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon in the years ahead.---------------Support Inside Israel: ContributeTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve heard him on hundreds of podcasts, and you’ve read his bestselling books. In today’s episode of Inside Israel, we meet the man behind the legend. What is Yossi’s favorite Israeli song? What book changed his life? What does Yossi mean by “the cover charge of living in Israel”? Meet the Yossi Klein Halevi you didn’t know you didn’t know. And hear why, no matter how challenging it is to live in Israel today, Yossi’s not going anywhere…and never will.----------------------Support Inside Israel with a financial gift: SupportTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Captain Yogev Pazy z’’l was killed in Gaza. Like all of the 378 IDF soldiers who have fallen in Gaza to date, Yogev is more than just a statistic. He was a fun-loving kid with aspirations and dreams. And someone who, as a teenager, made an impact on a Jewish community 10,000 miles from his home. On today’s episode of Inside Israel, we speak with Tobi and Scott Perlen of Northbrook, Illinois. In 2020-21, the Perlens and their three children hosted Yogev in their home for six months, during his stint in the shin-shinim program, in which he served as a volunteer emissary in the Chicago Jewish community. Tobi and Scott will tell us about the Yogev they knew and came to love, including favorite memories of their time Yogev. They’ll also tell us about the moment they heard the terrible news that Yogev z’’l had fallen – and how and why their lives will be impacted by him forever. ---------------Support Inside Israel: ContributeTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On “Inside Israel,” I always strive to tell you the truth – even when it hurts. In this week’s episode, we’ll talk about the emotional and physical toll that the ongoing war is taking on Israelis. While resilience has long been a defining trait, many Israelis now feel spent. With more than 375 soldiers having been killed in Lebanon and Gaza, and our hostages still not home, we’re losing our sense of hope. Meanwhile, the political landscape offers little solace. Judicial overhaul is back on the table, and the ultra-Orthodox Haredi population continues  to refuse to serve in the military, despite the IDF being 20,000 soldiers short of what’s needed to fight wars on two fronts. And, of course, I answer your questions. ---------------Support Inside Israel: ContributeTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of years ago, the Jewish people gave the world the most important story ever told: the Bible. So why is it that today, we Jews suck at storytelling? On today’s episode of Inside Israel, we’ll talk about the power of stories. We’ll do that through the lens of last week's US presidential election, in which Kamala Harris suffered a tough defeat against Donald Trump.Believe it or not, we Jews have a lot to learn from Harris’ and the Democrats' storytelling-related mistakes – particularly when it comes to how we speak publicly about Israel. I’ll also cover one of the past week’s biggest news stories—Prime Minister Netanyahu’s dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant—and tell you how Israelis are reacting to this move. And, as always, I’ll answer your questions.---------------Support Inside Israel: SupportTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, we address listener questions on the U.S. election and how Israelis and Americans living in Israel view the two presidential candidates, as well as the current status of negotiations for the release of the more than 100 Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. We then explore three off-the-radar news stories that Israelis are talking about: the daring Shayetet 13 Navy SEAL raid in northern Lebanon, which showcased Israel’s reach and intelligence capabilities; a leak from the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding Hamas' true motivations in hostage negotiations; and a controversial bill providing subsidized daycare for ultra-Orthodox families whose fathers are avoiding military service. Finally, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to our Fall 2024 fundraiser on behalf of the podcast, which raised over $9,000. Many of you have heard of big-name podcasts like Joe Rogan and Call Her Daddy, but the truth is that most podcasters are just people like me with a microphone and a message to share. It means the world to me that Inside Israel is able to bring your insights and meaning that you value.---------------Support Inside Israel: SupportTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, titled “Skeleton,” we try something different: instead of saving them for the end, I address listener questions at the beginning – everything from how Israelis think about anti-Semitism in the US, to how pro-Israel Jews in America might think about the upcoming Presidential election and whether Israelis celebrate Halloween.  In the news segment, I discuss Israel’s recent strategic success in Iran, which involved disabling key air defense systems and setting back missile production capabilities, sending a clear signal to Iran that we have the capacity to operate within Iranian airspace pretty much at will. I also reflect on the tragic ramming attack at Glilot Junction in Herzliya, as well as the deaths of five modern-Orthodox Reserve soldiers in Lebanon, one of whom was a Judaic studies teacher in my town, Ra’anana. We close the pod by talking about the impact of these events on a personal level, including my wife Dorit’s latest project on behalf of IDF soldiers in Lebanon.  —---------------Contribute to the Inside Israel Fall 2024 Fundraising Campaign: SupportTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, we delve into the recent elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a significant victory for Israel. It was an unexpected success, what we refer to in Hebrew as a “fooks,” or happy accident. I’ll explore this moment through three lenses: how it provides psychological closure for Israelis, opens a window of opportunity for a potential hostage deal, and leaves a sense of confusion as we no longer have a central figure to negotiate with.But before exploring that, I want to honor the late Colonel Achsan Dachsa. A respected Druze officer and commander of the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade, Dachsa was someone I had the pleasure of meeting five years ago at a fundraiser in Toronto. After his speech and my comedy performance, we spoke about our respective experiences as tank soldiers (Not surprisingly, his was far more impressive than mine.) When I told him that two of my own kids would soon be entering the IDF, he offered to help them through the draft process, and we exchanged phone numbers. His warmth and kindness left a lasting impression, and I regret never taking up his invitation for a meal in Dalyat Al-Carmel. This episode pays tribute to his memory and service.---------------Contribute to the Inside Israel Fall 2024 Fundraising Campaign: SupportTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of Inside Israel we meet the gal behind the mic of the world’s most popular English-language Israel news podcast: Amanda Borschel-Dan, host of the Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing. We’ll learn how she fell in love  with Israel in the first place and why one of the world’s foremost Torah scholars is partly responsible for Amanda ultimately moving here. I also speak with Amanda about her journey from semi-anonymous journalist to becoming the most trusted voice in Israel-related news, including a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it takes to produce just one Daily Briefing episode. And, in the "Hebrew is Magic" segment, Amanda talks to us about one of the most beautiful-sounding words in the Hebrew language and reveals how its actual meaning is actually a bit, well, filthy. To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Inside Israel, titled "Joel's Dilemma," I reflect on the conflicting emotions I have as the host of this podcast, about the story I convey to you about Israel and my life here. On one hand, I’ve always wanted to showcase the beauty, magic, and uniqueness of living in Israel. That’s why I wrote Israel 201 and launched this podcast exactly one year ago. But on the other hand, I’m feeling increasingly pessimistic about the future, especially in the short term. While I’m hopeful for long-term peace and stability (where “long-term” means 60 or so years down the road), the current situation leaves me questioning the path forward.In tonight’s pod, I explore a few specific areas of concern, starting with Gaza. With hostages still being held and ongoing violence, I wonder if Israel’s decision to pull out in 2005 was a mistake. I also delve into the complexities of Lebanon and Iran, both of which seem to have no clear endgame in sight. I even ask whether revolutions in these regions are the only hope for lasting change. Closer to home, the rise of terrorism within Israel itself, as well as from the West Bank, leaves the country in a state of dysfunction, with inadequate resources to even protect citizens, as evidenced by recent attacks and logistical failures in mobilizing the Reserves.Finally, I address listener questions, ranging from the media’s lack of attention on displaced Israelis in the north to sightings of U.S. soldiers in Israel. --------------------------Contribute to the Inside Israel Fall 2024 Fundraising Campaign: SupportTo learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/showsJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special 50th episode of Inside Israel, I focus on the breaking news of Israel’s elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. While I originally planned this episode as a reflection on the past year of the podcast, the significance of this event was too big to ignore. To help you better understand how Israelis are reacting to the news of Nasrallah’s death and Israel’s current war with Hezbollah, I break down seven key takeaways, including the blow to Hezbollah’s power, the ripple effect on Iran’s coalition, and the political responses here in Israel.I also touch on how this development has brought much of Israel together, with a few exceptions like Betzalel Smotrich and Yair Lapid. I also dig into the reactions from the Arab world and call out the international media, from NPR to the New York Times, for their biased and flat-out backwards coverage of recent events.While this episode highlights Israel’s success, we cannot forget the hostages still held in Gaza and the haunting questions from the October 7th attacks.---------------------------Commemorate the one year anniversary of October 7th with JoelRegister here: A Year in Hebrew Words with Joel ChasnoffDate: Monday, October 7Time: 2 PM EDTDuration: Approx. 30 minutesCost: FreeZoom link and registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdeqsqjsjEtKt7YRFmseDXPL3zFXiknK8Support the Inside Israel fundraising campaignhttps://gofund.me/47db44b2To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the past eleven months, I’ve been predicting that, eventually, Israel will go to war with Hezbollah. Well, guess what: the war has come! In this episode of Inside Israel, I dive into the latest developments in the conflict I’ve been talking about. This “war” is unfolding in unexpected ways—from covert missions against Hezbollah leadership to a barrage of missiles that have left the country on edge. I break down the psychology behind Hezbollah’s actions and speculate on what’s coming next, all while giving you a feel for the unique mood in Israel—a mix of resilience, frustration, and that unmistakable Israeli toughness. In addition to the usual content, I have some exciting news: I’m launching a fundraising campaign to keep Inside Israel going strong! Inside Israel is free, and I plan to keep it that way. That said, producing this podcast costs $10,000 a year, and I’m asking for your help to hit that goal. Whether it’s $10 a month or even just a dollar, every contribution makes a difference. And hey, if you’re feeling generous, a $250 donation allows you to sponsor an episode in honor or memory of someone you care about. To contribute, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast.  Links for Joel’s weekly live Inside Israel broadcasts and video recordings of the most recent episode: www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Joel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joelchasnoff  or @joelchasnoff Contact Joel with a question or feedback: joel@joelchasnoff Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and Israel 201 coauthor Benji Lovitt is currently suffering through one of the most frustrating Israeli experiences of all: hunting for a new rental apartment in Tel Aviv. As Benji describes it, there’s no order to the system – landlords renege on their agreements to rent to you should they find a better deal, and renters are often left to repair any loose wires or paint chipping walls themselves. On the bright side, however, after 49 years of bachelorhood Benji finally has a serious girlfriend of her own. The one caveat: she’ll only move in with him if he gives up his wild and incessantly barking dog. In today’s episode of Inside Israel, I speak with Benji about the Israeli dating scene, apartment scene, and what it’s been like to perform comedy during the current war. We also talk about how collaborating with me on Israel 201 transformed how he sees Israel and his place in it. To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I created this podcast because I wanted to share the magic and beauty of what I call “Israeliness” – the unique way that Israelis interact with each other and think about the country they love. But what happens when I stop feeling the magic…and when Israelis no longer feel the positive connection with Israel as we did before. On today’s episode of Inside Israel, I’ll explore the hard truths of what it really means to live in Israel right now. Lately, I’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of distress among my fellow Israelis. There’s a palpable sense of hopelessness, frustration, and anxiety that seems to pervade daily life. It’s not just in the conversations we’re having or the news we’re reading—it’s in the air. You can feel it in the way people interact with each other, in our physical well-being, even in how we drive.  The stress is manifesting as sickness, heightened anxiety, and a constant tension that makes everything feel heavier.What will it take to change this? It's not necessarily about electing a new government, or about sweeping political shifts. What people here desperately need is closure—bringing our hostages and the bodies of those we've lost home from Gaza, and returning our residents to the north. As we go through this episode, I hope you can understand the complexity of the situation here. Life in Israel isn’t easy right now, and while I would love to share only the good, I feel a responsibility to be honest about the challenges. This is the truth, even when it’s difficult to talk about.To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, the IDF extracted the bodies of hostage Hersh Polin z’’l and five others from a tunnel in Gaza. In this episode of Inside Israel, titled "No More Yellow Shirts," we examine the implications of this devastating news, and the renewed conversations it has sparked about the true nature of organizations like Hamas and Students for Justice in Palestine. We also explore whether this tragedy will lead to a broader call for action among Israelis against their own government, and whether it will prompt institutions like the University of Maryland to reconsider their stance on controversial events like the upcoming pro-Palestine October 7th gathering. The episode’s title, "No More Yellow Shirts," captures two sentiments: first, the frustration with symbolic gestures, like school children wearing yellow shirts or people tying yellow ribbons to that now seem insufficient;  and second, a call to move beyond mere demonstrations and take more concrete actions. In our Q&A segment, we address listeners' pressing questions about Israel's military strategy and future, such as the controversial decision to keep troops in the Philadelphi Corridor and how this impacts the overall safety and security of Israel.------------Links for Joel’s weekly live Inside Israel broadcasts and video recordings of the most recent episode: www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Joel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joelchasnoff  or @joelchasnoff Contact Joel with a question or feedback: joel@joelchasnoff.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"In Israel, a woman can fly F-15s in the Air Force, be the CEO of a high-tech unicorn, and even become Prime Minister – but she can’t file for divorce.” So says Susan Weiss, Executive Director and founder of the Center for Women’s Justice in Jerusalem. In this episode of Inside Israel, I talk with Susan about how and why Israel’s laws of marriage and divorce are biased against women as well as men. Susan will also share examples of some of the most marriage- and divorce-related cases she’s taken to court over her storied human rights career. Finally, in the Hebrew Is Magic Segment, Susan shares an eye-opening (and shocking) insight about the word kadosh, commonly translated into English as “holy.” To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since October, the phrase Yachad Nena’tzeach—“Together We Will Win”—has become the rallying cry of Israeli society. But how realistic is this mantra? With 115 hostages still in Gaza, over 300 soldiers killed in action, more than 60,000 Israelis displaced from their homes, and the constant threat of Iranian and Hezbollah attacks, do we even have the right to speak about “victory”? In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, I explore three possible interpretations of “Together We Will Win” and suggest one way that victory might actually be within reach. I also tackle listener questions about the Tzir Philadelphi—the Philadelphia Corridor in Gaza—and discuss the likelihood of the current hostage-ceasefire deal coming to fruition. Today’s broadcast coincides with the 24th birthday of Romi Gonen, who was kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7th. We hope and anticipate that Romi and the other 114 hostages will return home to Israel soon.------------------Links for Joel’s weekly live Inside Israel broadcasts and video recordings of the most recent episode: www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Joel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joelchasnoff  or @joelchasnoff Contact Joel with a question or feedback: joel@joelchasnoff.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ra’anana resident Yoav Cohen is a husband and father of three, and he works at one of the most successful Israeli high-tech companies in the world. Yoav is also a Master Sergeant in the IDF’s Magav Unit (Border Police). In late October 2023, he and his platoon deployed to Israel’s northern border for what would ultimately be a hundred days of military reserve duty. On this week’s episode of Inside Israel, I speak with Yoav about the impact that extended reserve military service has had on him and his family, as well the implications for his job. We discuss the prevalence of PTSD among IDF reservists and what the government is doing about it (if anything at all), and the month Cohen and his fellow soldiers spent living in a youth hostel in the north with Israeli civilians who’ve been evacuated from their homes since the outbreak of the current war. Finally, in the Hebrew Is Magic segment, Yoav explains the part of Hebrew he finds most magical of all: that any noun can be conjugated into a verb. To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcastSign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.comJoel on Instagram: @joelchasnoffIsrael 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Inside Israel, I’ll perform a cost-benefit analysis of the recent eliminations of two significant figures: Senior Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas Political Leader Ismail Haniyeh. These high-profile assassinations, executed through precise operations, highlight Israel's ongoing efforts to thwart terrorist activities and send a powerful message to its enemies. I’ll start by discussing the benefits of these actions, such as diminishing the chances of future terror plots, demoralizing enemy ranks, and exposing vulnerabilities within their intelligence networks. However, the costs are significant too, including the potential hindrance to hostage negotiations and the looming threat of retaliatory strikes. In the listener questions segment, I’ll tackle inquiries about the preferred approach to the war against Hamas and Hezbollah, the awareness of potential dangers on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, and the necessity of political system changes in Israel.To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Inside Israel, titled "I am Iron and You Cannot Break Me," I discuss the rally I attended last Saturday night in Kikar Ha’hatufjim – “Hostage Square”—in Tel Aviv.It was the first rally of any kind that I’d participated in. I came away from the gathering with a number of takeaways, including a few that surprised me – and may surprise you.In the news portion of the podcast, we’ll talk about the horrific Hezbollah attack on a soccer field in Majds al Shamps in the Golan Heights, in which 12 children were killed and many more left fighting for their lives. Israelis are responding to this attack with two thoughts: first, how did our army become so impotent that we allow Hezbollah to repeatedly kill our own? And second, how will we respond – and will our response lead to war?Finally, I’ll address listener questions about this fall’s US presidential election and the phenomenon of Israelis at Jewish summer camps in North America.To learn more about Inside Israel, or to sign up for my newsletter, “Hebrew Is Magic,” visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.