Unholy: Two Jews on the News

Latest Episodes:

The Negotiator - with Oren Setter Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Unholy is going live in London!

Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you’ve ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now’s your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we’d love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive

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As Jews around the world are about to celebrate the festival of freedom, 59 Israeli hostages are still held in Gaza for a second consecutive Passover. This week: an exclusive interview with the man who was a lead negotiator of the Israeli hostage task force, retired brigadier General Oren Setter, who gives a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the sensitive, nerve-wracking negotiations.

Donald Trump suggests direct talks with Iran, a move that might spell political trouble for Benjamin Netanyahu , chaos in the high court in Jerusalem, and our chutzpah award involves bribing voters with… a Tesla

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Genesis of a Scandal - with Matti Friedman and Anthony Julius Apr 03, 2025

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Unholy is going live in London!

As Qatar-gate gathers momentum—following the arrests of two of Netanyahu’s closest advisors and an Israeli journalist—the scandal inches closer to the heart of power. Netanyahu names a new Shin Bet chief and rescinds his decision within hours. Meanwhile, the IDF expands its military operations in Gaza, raising questions about next steps on multiple fronts. We are joined by acclaimed writer and journalist Matti Friedman ("The Free Press") to discuss a dramatic week for Israel.

Plus: A conversation with lawyer, author and scholar Anthony Julius, whose new book casts a piercing light on one of the Bible’s most elusive and troubling figures—Abraham.

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Matti Friedman is an award-winning Canadian-Israeli journalist and author. A former Associated Press correspondent, his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Free Press. Known for his sharp analysis of Israeli society and media coverage of the Middle East, he brings deep insight and nuance to complex regional issues.

Anthony Julius is a British solicitor, literary critic, and academic, best known for representing Princess Diana and for his writing on antisemitism and English literature. His latest work explores the enigmatic figure of Abraham, offering a fresh and provocative reading of one of the Bible’s most iconic characters.

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Distress Signal Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Israel is once again at war on multiple fronts – and yet, the domestic political drama shows no sign of slowing. As the government barrels ahead with its judicial overhaul, Prime Minister Netanyahu has now shown the door to both the head of Shin Bet and the attorney general, prompting yet more questions about the independence of Israel’s key institutions.

Yonit and Jonathan unpack the growing turmoil, and turn to what’s fast becoming known as Signal-gate – the extraordinary story of a journalist who was accidentally added to a Signal group discussing the US operation in Yemen.

Plus: a chutzpah award for the antisemitism conference that invited antisemites, and a Mensch who’s larger than life.

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Watch us on YouTube

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War on every front - with Amos Harel Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

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.

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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.

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Special update - The ceasefire is over Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

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?

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Special update - Netanyahu fires head of Shin Bet Ronen Bar Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

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?

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Jewish Comedy - with Alex Edelman Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

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).

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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

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Trump Redux - with special guest co-host David Remnick and Michael Milshtein Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

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.

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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.

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Handle the Truth - with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

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.

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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.

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Mourning in Israel, Elections in Germany - with Meron Mendel Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

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.

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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.

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