IsraelCast

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Luke Moon, Deputy Director, Philos Project Nov 15, 2023

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Started in 2014 in the wake of ISIS' rise to power, the Philos Project seeks to promote positive Christian engagement in the Near East by creating leaders, building community, and taking action in the spirit of the Hebraic Tradition. Primarily focused on supporting persecuted Christians in the Middle East, the project also aims to strengthen the relationship between Christians and Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Luke Moon, Deputy Director of the Philos Project, to discuss its creation, the history of Christians in the Near East, and the importance of discussing difficult issues.

Ruth Wasserman Lande, Former member of Knesset and founder and co-chair of the Knesset Caucus for the promotion of the Abraham Accords Oct 31, 2023

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As Israel enters the ground invasion phase of its war with Gaza, public perception of Israel has fallen in the eyes of many, especially younger people who don't have all the facts. In addition, international bodies like the United Nations and European Union have skewed pro-Arab to the detriment of Israeli lives. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Ruth Wasserman Lande, a former Israeli Knesset member, to discuss the hypocrisy of protesters supporting those whose values diametrically oppose they're own, how Israel values Palestinian lives more than their own government, and Iran's involvement in the attacks.

Olga Meshoe Washington, COO, Club Z Oct 24, 2023

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While Western leaders have near-universally backed Israel in the wake of Hamas' horrific attacks, a shocking number of people have expressed support for Hamas, levelling the same false accusations against Israel they usually do. One thing often said is that Israel is an "Apartheid State" and will compare Israel's requirement for self-defense to South Africa. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with South African activist Olga Meshoe Washington to discuss her journey to becoming an advocate for the State of Israel, the history of Africa's relationship with Israel and Jews, and why calling Israel apartheid is a ridiculous accusation that trivializes her people's history.

Yahya Mahamid, Arab Israeli Zionist, educator, and Israel advocate Oct 19, 2023

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With so many voices speaking out against the Jewish State, it's gratifying to meet an unexpected ally. Yahya Mahamid was raised by his Arab community to hate Israel and everything it stands for, but through meeting other Israelis, he learned that everything he was taught was wrong. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Mahamid to discuss his journey to supporting Israel, the backlash he faced for it in his Arab community, and his thoughts on the recent terrorist attacks and subsequent war.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem Oct 12, 2023

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Hamas' recent brutal and unprovoked attack has primarily been focused on Israel's Gaza Envelope region. But how has this attack affected the rest of the country? Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum to discuss the current environment in Jerusalem, organizing support from the international community, and the special resilience of the Jewish people. She also discusses Hamas and the fundamentalist nature of their regime, and how this a clear battle between good and evil.

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Oct 09, 2023

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In the wake of the unprecedented, unprovoked, and horrific attacks by Hamas from Gaza on civilian communities in Israel, Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Middle East expert Jonathan Schanzer, author of Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel, and Eleven Days of War, the history of Hamas and its conflict with other Palestinian factions, and the future of policymaking regarding Israel and Hamas. The two discuss Israel's intelligence failure, Iran's fingerprints and its Ring of Fire strategy to strangle Israel, the broader regional picture and what this may mean to the conversations with Saudi Arabia, and what to look for in the coming days and weeks, especially vis a vis the possibility of a multi-front conflict.

Matti Friedman, Journalist & Author Sep 27, 2023

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At the height of the Yom Kippur War, when Israel was at its lowest, famed poet and singer Leonard Cohen visited the country and did a series of performances that raised the spirits of a nation. Almost 50 years later, journalist and author Matti Friedman took a deep dive into Cohen's impromptu tour with Who by Fire: War, Atonement, and the Resurrection of Leonard Cohen, which chronicles Cohen's also delves into Cohen's spiritual and professional crisis and reawakening. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Friedman once again to discuss his research on Leonard Cohen, Israel's attitude during the Yom Kippur War, and the importance of Cohen's appearance in boosting soldiers' morale.

Daniella Gilboa, Co-founder and CEO of fertility treatment center AIVF Sep 13, 2023

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As artificial intelligence continues to increase in popularity, everyone is figuring out how to use AI to improve lives. And Israel is no exception. For Israeli embryologist Daniella Gilboa, co-founder and CEO of fertility treatment center AIVF, AI has been used to increase the success rate of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), making it easier for women who want children to conceive. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Gilboa to discuss the IVF process, how artificial intelligence improves that process, and why the human element is still necessary.

Colonel Richard Kemp CBE Aug 30, 2023

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Dr. Shelley-Anne Peleg, Expert in archeology and conservation in Israel Aug 16, 2023

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