Inside Israel with Joel Chasnoff

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 enemie...

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 pod...

What’s it like to be a combat soldier in Gaza?   In tonight's episode, I’ll tell you about my recent conversation with Omer, a 25-year-old IDF combat soldier who entered Gaza with his IDF platoon on the first day of last October’s ground invasion.   We’ll dive into four key aspects of Omer’s story:   - The intelligence his platoon received before entering Gaza, and how this intel was wrong - W...

In this episode of Inside Israel, we explore three interconnected stories related to "kids"—both literal and figurative.  First, we delve into the perspectives of young Jewish teens from Colorado whom I met last week in Tel Aviv. These teens are eager to learn about their heritage and the future of Judaism, yet we are failing to provide them with the necessary guidance. I emphasize the n...

In today's episode, we're diving into the troubling rise of "Jew on Jew" violence in Israel, looking at three main angles: citizens attacking institutions, institutions attacking citizens, and subtle civilian conflicts. We'll start with the most obvious cases, like the Hilltop Youth and settlers clashing with the IDF and police in the West Bank, similar to the Branch Davidian...

When I lived in the US, I regularly donated to Doctors Without Borders, inspired by their mission to provide free medical care to all. As the son of a physician who served Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, I admired their work. However, I will no longer donate to them. This week, Israel discovered that Dr. Fadi Al-Wadiya, associated with the organization, is also an expert bomb maker and intell...

This past week, the New York Times columnist Tom Friedman implored Israel to swallow its pride and agree to an all-out withdrawl of IDF troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages being held by Hamas.   In today’s episode, we’ll dissect Friedman’s proposal, including those elements which would help Israel and those that would hurt it.   In the end, whether or not Israel can and sh...

Ten days ago, Israel's elite Yamam counterterrorism unit executed one of the most daring and spectacular rescue operations in the country's history.   While you've likely read about the challenges and complexities of the mission, and perhaps even seen helmet-cam footage of the exact moment hostages Noa, Almog, Andrey, and Shlomi were found, this episode of Inside Israel goes deeper.  ...

Today’s episode of Inside Israel finds Prime Minister Netanyahu backed into corner.   The Biden administration has touted the most potential hostage deal as one that “Israel has proposed” – which means Netanyahu himself sure as hell better agree to it, lest he look like schmuck.   Meanwhile, in the north, Hezbollah continues to pound Israel, killing civilians and soldiers and setting thousands of...

Ten days ago, my neighbor's son, Eliyahu Haim Bensallem z'l, was killed in Gaza at just 21 years old.  In today's Inside Israel episode, I share the story of paying a shiva call to his family. I was not alone - over 600 people attended the final shiva night in Ra'anana, in an outpouring of cohesiveness and support for the Bensallems. I also provide context on the larger narrative o...

On today’s episode of Inside Israel, we delve into the narratives surrounding Israel's Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu. From separating fact from fiction to exploring the complexities of leadership in the face of security challenges, we'll navigate through the layers of discussion surrounding Bibi's tenure.   In addition to examining Bibi's political strategies and personal motivati...

One of the fundamental principles of science is "horror vacui" – nature abhors a vacuum. Essentially, this idea states that if there is an empty space, nature will fill it; no void remains unfilled.   Sadly, we’ve witnessed this principle in action in Gaza over recent days, as IDF troops have been forced to return to areas like Zeitoun and Jabaliya that they had previously cleared out. T...

Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Day of Remembrance, is entirely different from Memorial Day in America. To be frank, I'm disheartened by what American Memorial Day has become – a day of sales, barbecues, and trips to the beach or pool.  In Israel, Yom Hazikaron is the saddest day of the year, and this year, in the aftermath of October 7th, it will be even more somber. In this special episode, I&#3...

In our recent book, "Israel 201," Benji Lovitt and I explore the unique bond that exists among Israelis. Living in Israel, it often feels like you're part of one big family – where everyone knows each other and has no problem getting involved in one another's affairs. While this level of social intimacy has its downsides, there are also benefits, and this past week I experienced...

One of my favorite Hebrew expressions is eifo hadag mashtin – “where the fish pisses.” Israelis use it to describe a situation in which a particular action or behavior comes back to harm you. This expression mirrors how Israelis perceive the current anti-Israel protests unfolding on college campuses in North America. Many believe that these universities, communities, and even the US Democratic par...

As a child, I attended Camp Ramah in Wisconsin with Jon Polin. Today, Jon’s son, Hersh Polin Goldberg, has become the face of over 100 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. When Hamas released a video featuring Hersh earlier this week, it resonated deeply within Israeli society.  Today on Inside Israel, we’ll delve into why Hamas chose to release this video, focusing on Hersh, and why they did so a...

With 133 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, next week’s Passover seder will be unlike any other. In today’s episode, we talk about ways to make Israel and the plight of the hostages part of our Seder – from setting an empty chair and plate at the table to tying a yellow ribbon on each kiddush cup and reciting the Acheinu prayer for hostages at the table. We also discuss Israel’s so-far-non-response r...

Last night, Iran unleashed an unprecedented attack on Israel. In the end, more than 99% of the more than 300 drones and cruise and ballistic missiles were intercepted before reaching Israel. But many questions still remain. For example: Did Iran truly intend to inflict damage on Israeli military and civilian targets, or was the attack merely symbolic? How Israel respond? And what are Israelis talk...

In today’s episode, we delve into the topic of lying and lies. We'll explore the everyday lies Israelis tell themselves to get going in the mornings, the growing dissatisfaction with the current prime minister over perceived dishonesty, and the frustration with the widespread blame on Israel for the Gaza conflict, despite Hamas's role in initiating it on October 7th. We'll also discuss...

How and why the war in Gaza and ongoing hostage crisis aren’t merely news events for the average Israeli, but are so deeply personal; no more funding for Yeshivas whose students don’t serve in the IDF; remembering fallen Egoz soldier Sivan Weil z’’l. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first “Explained” episode of Inside Israel, we’ll talk about Dr. Daniel Kahneman, z’’l. In 2002, Kahneman won the Nobel Prize in economics for his work with longtime collaborator Amos Teversky at Hebrew U. I’ll explain why their work is more relevant today than ever, both in the world at large and with respect to Israel’s current war against Hamas in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Sara Netanyahu puts her foot in her mouth (again); muted-down Purim celebrations across Israel; a tribute to the late Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breaking the Sabbath to save a life; Tishrei 24; to call or not to call women soldiers “girls.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two versions of the same Israeli reality; a General calls out Bibi; the Sa’ar-Gantz split. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Questioning assumptions about post-October 7 Israel; Gantz flies under the radar; who’s Boogie? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.