Unholy: Two Jews on the News

Israel's judicial overhaul has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle: one key measure is now the law of the land. Where does that leave the protesters who have filled the streets, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's relationship with a watching world? Yonit and Jonathan unpack an incendiary 24 hours. Follow on Instagram and Facebook: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

The moment of truth has come: protesters on the streets and in the upper reaches of the Israeli military press their case against what they call Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial coup, days before a key legislation is set. Meanwhile, Joe Biden uses an interview with award-winning New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to send a message to Netanyahu: stop. In a candid, sometimes emotional conversatio...

Protests on the streets, disruption at the airport: it’s crunch time in the showdown between Benjamin Netanyahu and opponents of what they call his “judicial coup.” Yonit and Jonathan ask if Israel’s PM is so determined to strip the court of one of its key powers before a July 31 deadline, he’s ready to risk a revolt among the Israeli military elite.  Meanwhile the rift between Israel and its most...

Two decades after the Battle of Jenin, this week saw a fresh – and very different – military offensive in the city, one that lasted just 48 hours and won much praise in Israel but a mixed response from the watching world. Yonit and Jonathan discuss all that, plus a kidnapping in Iraq and another eruption of spontaneous street protests – sparked by the sacking of a police chief – as the government...

What happens in Israel rarely stays in Israel. Settler violence in the West Bank spreads, bringing a dramatic condemnation from Israel's top military brass - and from a leading barometer of international opinion. Meanwhile, the courtroom drama of Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial comes to a new stage in Brighton, England - whilst the PM vows to continue his plan for an overhaul of the Israeli...

A daytime gunfight in Jenin, a deadly terror attack that left four dead and an outbreak of settler violence - this week has put the spotlight back on the West Bank. As Israel considers further action to bring calm, domestic politics are never far away - including the government’s plan to transform the judiciary. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the security situation and Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed ple...

A conversation with a seasoned watcher of Netanyahu - not of the prime minister of Israel, but of his son Yair: Yonit and Jonathan talk to Chaim Levinson of Haaretz, about the young prince with the ear of the king. Plus the latest on the judicial overhaul causing drama in Knesset, notes on the populist trio of Trump, Johnson and Berlusconi, and our traditional mensch and chutzpah awards - being sh...

A conversation with Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer prize winning journalist and one of the world's sagest voices on Ukraine, Eastern Europe and the twilight of democracy: are there lessons for Israel from Poland and Hungary? Plus: how the Israeli military sits at the centre of the country's culture wars, after Israeli far right commentators suggested the deaths of three IDF soldiers are to be blamed on...

Unfavorable polls, Biden administration woes and continued public protest are only a hint of the issues piled on the desk of the coalition. But with the deadline for forming the Judicial Selection Committee approaching, Netanyahu and his partners will really be put to the test on their intentions for Levin’s overhaul. Suleiman Maswadeh, diplomatic and political correspondent for the Israeli Public...

Happy yearly celebration of dairy - for those celebrating! While we mark the harvest holiday of Shavuot on the Jewish calendar, we're reminding you listeners of one of our favorite and most intriguing interviews as of late - with Israeli literary genius Etgar Keret. Listen back as Etgar talks about defending democracy, gives a sneak peak into his world of storytelling and shares heartening tales o...

A week into the ceasefire in Gaza, nationalist activists march on the streets of Jerusalem in the controversial Flag Day annual parade, sparking conflict with Arab residents of the city. Yonit and Jonathan discuss that and all the latest political turmoil. And - an interview with leading investor Michael Eisenberg on why the best way to integrate ultra-orthodox Jews into Israeli society is to hand...

“Shield and Arrow” - that’s the name of the operation initiated this week by the IDF in the Gaza Strip, beginning with airstrikes on Islamic Jihad generals, and developing into extensive missile attacks on Israel. Yonit and Jonathan give an update on the current violence and negotiations for a ceasefire. Plus, we are joined by Axios scoop machine Barak Ravid, to discuss the prospects of a Saudi-Is...

Gold coaches, historic royal attire and controversial crown jewels - preparations for the coronation of King Charles have Londoners exhilarated, including our British co-host, a notable monarchy fan (just kidding, of course). As the ceremony approaches, a discussion on the King's unique relationship with Jews. And, speaking of British Jews, Yonit and Jonathan are lucky to be joined by arguably the...

With barbecues, the annual Air Force flybys and other festivities - Israel celebrated its 75th birthday, but not without a noticeable rift in the nation, as well. Yonit and Jonathan talk recent updates as the status of the judicial overhaul remains unclear, and revisit Netanyahu's foreign press campaign. And, we are joined by Semafor and BuzzFeed co-founder, Ben Smith, to discuss the seismic sacki...

In truly Israeli fashion, much has happened in the two weeks of Passover - and we've returned to try and make sense of it all! Following the holidays, Israel is deep into its season of commemoration - after this week’s Holocaust Remembrance, next week sees Memorial Day and Independence Day marking the 75th anniversary of the birth of the state. Yonit and Jonathan assess the outlook of these two oc...

Only a week until we resume our regular programming - and trust us, there's a LOT to talk about. But in the meantime - to conclude Passover break - we're airing yet another of our favorite talks from this season.  This Friday - we're sending listeners back to Yonit and Jonathan's talk with the greatly influential literary giant, Malcolm Gladwell, to discuss how he popularized non-fiction, why soci...

Hag Semach, listeners! Following weeks of reporting on political turmoil in Israel, we're going into Passover break with reruns of our favorite conversations as of late: starting with a fascinating chat with MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow. Tune in (again) as Rachel talks about her hit podcast, "Ultra", on an all-but-forgotten Nazi scheme to overthrow the American government, plus her take on social me...

For Unholy's 100th episode, a very special guest indeed: Yonit and Jonathan talk with one of the world's foremost thinkers and writers, Yuval Noah Harari. Usually preoccupied with the climate emergency and the rise of AI, right now Harari is focused on his own country - because, he says, "the house is on fire." A wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation about Israel, the protests against the judicial...

After 24 hours of stunning drama in Israel, a special update from Yonit and Jonathan. Join them as they unpack the chaotic timeline - Sunday night's spontaneous eruption of mass protests around the country following the sacking of the defence minister, the general strike by trade unions and bosses and Monday's eventual offer of a "timeout" on the judicial overhaul from Benjamin Netanyahu - and try...

As protests continue and contrasting opinions over the judicial reform surface from within the coalition, it seemed this week the prime minister himself was almost on the brink of backing down. Yonit and Jonathan talk with lead journalist and "Uvda" host Ilana Dayan on how this ends - and, on her decision to speak up against the overhaul. Plus, a literary giant takes the mensch award and two veter...

As protests continue against the Netanyahu government’s overhaul of the judicial system, the prospect of compromise is receding. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the fallout of the ruling coalition’s rejection of President Herzog’s proposed alternative — amid warning signs that Israel's enemies are taking advantage of what they perceive as a moment of weakness. Plus a conversation with Dave Rich, author...

***This episode was recorded before the terror attack in Tel Aviv*** The protests against the judicial reform in Israel escalate as demonstators rally nationally in a day of resistance, while the attempts to negotiate a compromise seem to falter. Plus, a homage to world-renowned actor Chaim Topol, iconic 'Tevye' of film and stage, who passed away this week. And - what better way to celebrate Purim...

A morning of stun grenades and police horses at a protest, followed by an evening of a siege on a hair salon in central Tel Aviv? Just another regular day in Israel, apparently - which has also been facing an increasing security threat in the West Bank. Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin gives his take to Yonit and Jonathan on the  tensions with the Palestinians, plus why he thinks that when it come...

Two guests, two perspectives - Yonit and Jonathan talk to two Israelis with sharply conflicting views of the current state of their country. Legal activist Yonatan Green is a staunch advocate of the judicial overhaul - while New Yorker writer Ruth Margalit has profiled the hard right nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, who she calls the Minister of Chaos. Plus - the government that keeps supplying us wit...

You asked - and we answered. Yonit and Jonathan give their take on listeners’ questions on Benjamin Netanyahu’s “judicial reform” plan and its political repercussions, chat about the Super Bowl ad that portends a new future for American Jews - and delight in two examples of truly jaw dropping chutzpah. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 💛 Become a friend of the pod: Patreon: htt...