Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Israel was founded on a promise—to be the defender of the Jewish people. On October 7, that promise was broken. In the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust, Israel’s security, deterrence, and very raison d’être were shaken to the core. What went wrong? How does Israel begin the process of reckoning with its failures—not just to return the hostages, but to rebuild trust, restore deterr...

Last month, Israel made a surprising diplomatic move, voting alongside the United States and Russia against a United Nations resolution reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It was the first time Israel had taken such a stance since the war began—raising questions about the pressure Jerusalem faces as President Trump reshapes U.S. foreign policy. Since taking office in January, Trump has di...

The U.S. has been in direct talks with Hamas, aiming to negotiate the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Leading the discussions is Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, who recently met with Hamas officials in Doha. He described the talks as “very productive,” indicating they extend beyond hostage negotiations to broader discussions about a long-term ceasefire. Boehler ha...

In this episode of Boundless Insights , Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with former Palestinian negotiator Ghaith al-Omari to examine the shifting landscape of Palestinian leadership and the viability of a two-state solution. They discuss the historical evolution of Palestinian nationalism, the deep legitimacy crisis facing the Palestinian Authority, and the role of Arab nations in rebuilding Gaza and a...

While much of the world’s attention remains fixed on Gaza, the security situation in Judea and Samaria / the West Bank is escalating. In January, the IDF launched Operation Iron Wall , a major campaign aimed at dismantling terror networks. The operation began in Jenin—a long-standing hub for terrorist activity – and has since expanded into nearby towns. To understand what’s happening on the ground...

For months, world leaders have been asking: What comes next for Gaza once the war ends? President Trump stirred controversy by suggesting an unconventional approach—relocating Palestinians from Gaza to other countries while the Strip undergoes reconstruction. The backlash was swift. Now, Arab states are rallying around a counterproposal. Leading the charge is Egypt, which is promoting a plan to re...

This week, Israel laid to rest four murdered hostages—Oded Lifshitz, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas—all from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their names are now etched into the heart of a grieving nation. Oded Lifshitz was an 83-year-old peace activist, a man who dedicated his life to coexistence. On October 7, he was shot in the hand, dragged into Gaza, and murdered in captivity. At his funeral, his wife spoke of...

Since October 7, it has felt like we’ve been trapped in an unending nightmare. That horror deepened when Hamas staged a grotesque spectacle in Gaza, parading the coffins of hostages through the streets. The scene was chilling: a stage draped with propaganda banners, celebratory music blaring, and crowds—including Palestinian children—cheering as the coffins were handed over to the Red Cross. Even...

Since the horrific attacks of October 7, the absence of moral courage has been glaring. In a time when speaking the truth comes with real consequences—risking careers, reputations, and even personal safety—many have chosen silence over principle. But what does it truly mean to stand up for what’s right? Why do some rise to the occasion while others retreat into the background? And how can we culti...

In this special episode of Boundless Insights , guest host Dr. Rachel Fish speaks with award-winning author and scholar Dr. Dara Horn about the shortcomings of Holocaust education. Too often, it emphasizes universal moral lessons while overlooking Jews themselves and disregarding Jewish life before and after the Holocaust. They explore the concept of the “null curriculum”—the lessons schools leave...

We’re diving into one of the most contentious and emotional debates in Israeli society: Haredim and military service. For decades, ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students have been exempt from Israel’s mandatory draft to focus on Torah study. But with Israel’s security stretched thin after October 7, the debate over Haredi participation in the military has taken on new urgency. Host Aviva Klompas is joine...

Donald Trump has upended global politics with a radical new proposal. He’s floated the idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza and relocating the Palestinian population, calling it an opportunity to build a “Riviera of the Middle East.” His proposal marks a dramatic shift from decades of U.S. foreign policy and the longstanding belief that a Palestinian state is essential for regional peace. But i...

President Donald Trump stunned the world when he announced that the United States should take over Gaza, clear the rubble, rebuild it into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” and relocate its population to other countries. Is this a serious policy proposal, a negotiation tactic, or something else entirely? And what does it mean for Israel, the hostages, and the broader Middle East? I’m joined by Dr....

It has been almost 500 days since Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 hostages into Gaza. In recent weeks, a hostage deal has held, bringing some hostages home—but with it comes an emotional rollercoaster of relief, fear, and the devastating reality that some will never return. This episode takes a hard look at where things stand. The release of hostages ha...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is navigating an extraordinary set of challenges, from political and public backlash after October 7 to ongoing legal battles and personal health concerns. Today, we delve into the immense pressures facing Israel’s longest-serving leader, the criticisms and demands from every direction, and how history will remember him. Joining us is Dr. Michael Oren, former Isra...

For decades, the two-state solution has been the cornerstone of international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This episode delves into its history, from its origins to repeated failed negotiations, and examines whether it remains a viable path forward. In the aftermath of October 7 — a day that fundamentally changed how Israelis view the conflict — the challenges to this visio...

Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office, and his second term has already focused on U.S.-Israel relations and Middle East diplomacy. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to unpack the key issues and challenges ahead. From the plight of hostages and the prospects for expanding the Abraham Accords to questions about the fu...

In this episode, host Aviva Klompas delves into the agonizing uncertainty surrounding Israel’s long-awaited hostage deal with Hamas. Phase one of the agreement will see the release of 33 hostages—women, children, the elderly, and the infirm—over a 42-day period. However, with more than 60 individuals excluded from this initial phase, the anguish of waiting and the fear of what lies ahead remain de...

Qatar and the United States have announced a three-phase ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The first phase would see Hamas release 33 of the 98 hostages remaining in Gaza. In exchange, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life sentences. The agreement has sparked intense debate in Israel, with critics cautioning that it could embolden Hamas and leav...

Before October 7, judicial reform dominated Israel’s domestic agenda, sparking massive protests and fierce debates. Supporters of the plan argued reform was necessary to curb an unelected judiciary, while critics warned it posed an existential threat to Israeli democracy. Then came October 7. In the aftermath of the attack, judicial reform was frozen as the country united to confront war. Now, Jus...

In this episode of Boundless Insights , host Aviva Klompas speaks with Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), about the alarming rise in antisemitism across the United States and Europe—and what’s being done to fight back. Ted spent over a decade in Congress where he was co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. Now, as the head of the AJC, h...

In this episode of Boundless Insights , Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with retired Colonel Miri Eisen, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Counterterrorism at Reichman University and a former Israeli intelligence officer. They dive into how language influences the way we understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing on the impact of words like “oppressor-oppressed,” “David and G...

Aviva Klompas sits down with actor, comedian, and proud Jewish advocate Michael Rapaport for a special year-end episode. Known for his unapologetic commentary and passionate support for Israel, Michael brings his signature no-holds-barred style to a conversation reflecting on the highs, lows, and surprises of 2024. Highlights from the Episode: -Balancing comedy and advocacy: Michael on tackling se...

In this episode of Boundless Insights , Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to analyze the latest prospects for a hostage deal. The discussion delves into the likelihood of a deal, the complexities of negotiations, and what it all means for Israel and its allies. Key points include: -Reports of proof of life shared with families of captives....

For decades, Iran has advanced its nuclear ambitions, circumventing sanctions and ignoring global condemnation. Now, with Hamas’s military largely dismantled in Gaza, Hezbollah weakened, and Syria’s Assad regime faltering, the Islamic Republic finds itself on the back foot. With only weeks remaining before Trump takes office, Tehran may see its window closing and feel compelled to make a final pus...