Unholy: Two Jews on the News

Just four days out from the U.S. election, we turn to one of the most influential voices in liberal America, Rachel Maddow. Yonit and Jonathan discuss her new book, "Prequel: An American Fight against Fascism", and what shadows the past casts on today’s America. Meanwhile, the Middle East raises new, urgent questions for the President-elect: Will Iran retaliate after Israel’s recent strike? Could...

With less than a week to go till America decides, who will the country’s Jews be backing - Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? And who deserves their support most? For this special episode, Yonit and Jonathan bring together two seasoned foreign policy players - longtime Republican and podcaster Dan Senor and veteran Democrat and analyst Jeremy Bash to thrash out which of the two presidential candidates...

As the war rages on despite the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the world watches with mounting concern for Northern Gaza - and waits for Israel's response to Iran's missile attack earlier this month. Plus: ahead of the Hebrew anniversary of October 7, 2023, we turn to a man uniquely able to put the events of the last year in their historical context - Sir Simon Schama. You can watch the full...

Will the death of Yahya Sinwar prove a turning point in Israel's war with Hamas? Could it even mark the beginning of the end of the conflict that started just over a year ago? In this special update episode, Yonit and Jonathan speak with Shimrit Meir, onetime adviser to former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett and a leading expert on the man who was the architect of October 7.   Follow us on...

As the Jewish world welcomes in the festival of Sukkot, we’re taking a step back from the headlines to bring you a special treat—a captivating interview with a legend of the theatre, Sir Nicholas Hytner. He talks about his latest sell-out production, Giant, which thanks to events in the Middle East has become unexpectedly timely. You can watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6XDAr0x9...

Israel reaches the one-year mark since October 7th, 2023, and looks ahead to what the coming year, months, weeks, and days may bring. With the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar upon us, we pause to reflect on the depths of grief and resilience through the eyes of two individuals who have faced an indescribable tragedy: Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin. -- Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtub...

As the Jewish year draws to a close, it mirrors its beginning—with Israel under attack. At the start of what is no ordinary Rosh Hashanah, Yonit and Jonathan discuss Iran’s firing of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel and reflect on the 12 months that have passed since the horror of October 7. Plus two conversations that might just lift the spirits – one with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the other...

Breaking news out of the Middle East: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been killed in Beirut. We’re joined by Shimrit Meir, a top expert on Nasrallah and the Arab world, and former senior diplomatic advisor to Naftali Bennett, to give her expert analysis on this major development. You can watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVIdt9mlNEI Follow us on Instagram:  h...

As the conflict in the north against Hezbollah intensifies, and as Israel’s prime minister touches down in New York, we turn to Amit Segal, Channel 12’s lead political analyst, for a deep dive inside the mind of Benjamin Netanyahu. Plus: a theatrical mensch and a dose of presidential chutzpah. You can watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zHa4ndOVSCI Follow us on Instagram:  https://...

Israel and Hezbollah edge closer to all-out conflict than at any moment since October 7th, following a stunning display of intelligence and technical ingenuity that targeted thousands of Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon with simultaneous pager blasts. We’ll take a deep dive into the details - and reflect on the year that was with legendary Israeli journalist Ilana Dayan. Plus, an exclusive intervie...

As we approach the first anniversary of the 7th of October and the following war, we take stock with Israel’s leading military analyst, Amos Harel, offering in-depth insights into the ongoing situation. Plus: a hint of the supernatural in this week’s chutzpah and a superhero mensch. You can watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3qjXNzcqBl4 Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagr...

After Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in their first presidential debate, Yonit and Jonathan gather to dissect the pivotal moments — from Viktor Orbán to Taylor Swift, the war in Gaza to Ukraine, plus some unforgettable lines and very telling body language. You can watch the full episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqobHl46YYM Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram...

In what may be the darkest week since October 7th, Israelis and Jews worldwide were left reeling by the tragic news of the execution by Hamas of six young Israeli hostages, none more than 40, after nearly a year in captivity. As protests sweep through Israel, demanding an immediate hostage deal, the way forward remains painfully unclear and progress ever more elusive as Benjamin Netanyahu insists...

Israel’s war on three fronts intensifies, with a preemptive strike on Hezbollah in the north, escalated operations in the West Bank, and a rescue operation of an Israeli hostage from the tunnels in Gaza. As headlines focus once again on the chances of a hostage deal, we felt it essential to re-air the deeply moving stories of two mothers caught in this harrowing reality. In their interviews on Unh...

This week, we’re stepping away from the immediate headlines to do something a little different. Instead of our usual deep dive into the news of the hour, we’re dedicating this episode to you—our listeners. Your questions have been piling up in our inbox, and it’s finally time to tackle them. From the personal to the political, and everything in between, we’re here to explore the topics that matter...

As the high-stakes summit in Doha is framed as the final chance to secure a hostage release, tensions over a possible response from Iran and Hezbollah are mounting. This week, alongside our deep dive into those unfolding events, we’re putting our listeners in the spotlight, addressing the pressing questions you’ve sent in. From global conflicts to personal perspectives, we’re tackling the issues t...

After a week in which Israelis held their breath, waiting for a potentially lethal response from both Hezbollah and Tehran to last week's assassinations, Yonit and Jonathan talk to Suzanne Maloney, one of America's foremost analysts of Iran: how do the country's leaders see their confrontation with Israel playing out now and in the future? Plus, as the war in Gaza enters its 11th month, the wait f...

Israel braces itself for what feels like an inevitable, lethal response from Iran and its proxies, following not one but two assassinations – one of them in Tehran itself. Meanwhile, Israelis are shaken by a moment some describe as the country’s January 6. Yonit and Jonathan discuss it all with author and journalist Matti Friedman, one of the sharpest observers of Israeli society and history. Plus...

This week- New Yorker editor David Remnick partners up with Yonit as guest co-host. They discuss President Biden's decision to drop out of the race, Democrats’ newfound affection for Vice President Harris, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech in front of Congress. Plus - a conversation with Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel, on what’s next in the war in Gaza and why the hostage negotiat...

This week - CNN’s Bianna Golodryga joins Yonit as guest co-host. In the US - mere days after shots were fired towards him in a failed assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention - and introduced a running mate. Former Trump administration official now turned critic of the 45th president, Alyssa Farah Griffin, weighs in on J.D. Vance and...

Two attempted killings, 14 hours - and a world - apart. In this emergency episode, Yonit and Jonathan discuss the implications of both the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania and the Israeli air strike on Gaza aimed at killing Mohammed Deif, one of the masterminds behind October 7. With uncertainty still swirling about both events, what could be their lasting impact? -...

As Democrats weigh up what to do about Joe Biden, Yonit and Jonathan talk to New York Times columnist and podcaster Ezra Klein, who back in February became the most prominent US journalist to argue that Biden was too old to seek re-election. They discuss what Democrats should do now, as well as Klein’s recent reporting from Israel: how do liberal Jewish Americans like him now see the country – and...

They’ve voted in Britain, are about to vote in France and come November they’ll be voting in America - even if they’re not exactly sure who’s going to be on the ballot. Yonit and Jonathan break down the unfolding situations in both the UK and US and talk to one of France’s best known TV journalists, Ruth Elkrief about the dilemma Sunday’s vote poses for French Jews - and why she herself ‘came out’...

With the Supreme Court delivering a landmark ruling that could spell the end of Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, new polling shows who might take his place. Plus, as a leading Israel critic loses an election in New York, and Jews at a Los Angeles synagogue come under attack from Gaza protesters, Yonit and Jonathan talk to Van Jones - CNN commentator, former Obama official and one of Black America's...

As rifts widen within Israel’s ruling coalition - and between Benjamin Netanyahu and both the White House and his own military, Yonit and Jonathan discuss whether the current government can hold together till the crucial deadline of July 28. And they talk to Rivka Ravitz, former chief of staff to an Israeli president and one of the ultra-orthodox community’s leading voices about the Haredi exempti...