Why This Syrian-Born Activist Says Israel Is Fighting for Civilization

In this episode of the ILTV Podcast, Executive Editor Maayan Hoffman sits down with Catherine Perez-Shakdam, a former insider who once met senior Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Drawing on her unique personal history and rare access, Shakdam explains why Iran’s regime fears Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, why recent threats from the United States caused panic in Tehran, and why Israel should not be afraid. She also shares her belief that Iran’s protesters will ultimately prevail and delivers a powerful message about courage, identity, and the cost of freedom.

War is not only fought on the battlefield. It also takes a deep toll on public health. In this episode of the ILTV Podcast, Executive Editor and host Maayan Hoffman speaks with Prof. Hagai Levine, former chairman of Israel’s Association of Public Health, about how years of conflict have affected Israelis’ physical, mental, and social well-being. Levine explains why smoking, addiction, and missed medical care are on the rise, why Israel lacks a national rehabilitation plan, and what leaders must do to help the country heal.

In this episode of the ILTV Podcast, Executive Editor Maayan Hoffman sits down with Zambia’s Ambassador to Israel, Wesley Mahuba Hazemba, for a wide-ranging conversation about diplomacy, faith, energy, and opportunity. Hazemba explains how Israel’s expertise in renewable energy, water technology, and innovation could help Zambia confront climate challenges, while Zambia’s natural resources could support Israel’s continued growth. He also shares personal reflections on his Christian faith, biblical ties to Israel, and his experiences since arriving in the country.

Photographer Chen Schimmel joins the ILTV Podcast to share the powerful story behind her book "October 7th: Bearing Witness." From the first terrifying moments in a shelter on October 7 to two years of documenting devastation, resilience, and healing, Schimmel explains why she felt compelled to pick up her camera and tell Israel’s story. In this moving conversation, she reflects on photographing burned homes, returning hostages, grieving families, and moments of unexpected light in the darkest places. Schimmel shares both a raw and human look at strength, loss, and the power of bearing witness.

Could Israel face another October 7 style attack in 2026? On this episode of the ILTV Podcast, Executive Editor Maayan Hoffman speaks with Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, about the threats Israel may soon confront. Diker warns of growing dangers from Judea and Samaria, Iran’s remaining ballistic missile capabilities, and the continued strength of Hamas and Hezbollah. He explains why Israel is prioritizing prevention, why Hamas still holds power in Gaza, and why the West often misunderstands the conflict.

Syrian-born activist Rawan Osman joins ILTV to explain why she believes defending Israel is a moral obligation and why the West fundamentally misunderstands Islamism. Living under constant threat, Osman speaks candidly about the personal sacrifices she has made, the dangers of social media activism, and why October 7 marked a turning point not only for Israel, but for Western civilization. From Syria’s new leadership to jihadist ideology and her own deeply personal journey, Osman delivers an unapologetic warning about what lies ahead and why she believes Israel and the Jewish people will ultimately prevail.

In this episode of Off The Record, Zina Rakhamilova discusses the looming threat of another Israel-Iran war and a new report on the manufactured famine in Gaza.She also sits with Canadian political content creator Judy Jo to discuss how the media has served as a propaganda tool against Western interests and how goverments and leaders need to shift their policy to safeguard Western ideals.

Israel should not expect peace or tranquility in the Middle East, warns Dr. Dan Schueftan of the University of Haifa. In this interview on the ILTV Podcast with Maayan Hoffman, Schueftan explains why quiet on Israel’s borders often signals preparation for future conflict, why cooperation matters more than normalization, and how Israel’s hard power underpins its regional influence. He addresses Western criticism of Israel’s military actions, the shared threats facing Israel and Arab states, and why smart optimism means getting stronger even as challenges grow.

Paralympic world champion Moran Samuel shares her extraordinary journey from sudden paralysis to Olympic gold, and the life lessons she learned along the way. Speaking on the ILTV Podcast with Maayan Hoffman, Samuel reflects on resilience, independence, and turning pain into purpose. She recounts the emotional weight of winning her final Paralympic gold in Paris amid war, loss, and national grief, and explains why sport is a powerful tool for healing and self-confidence, especially for people with disabilities.

Israeli entrepreneur, lecturer and author of “Confessions of a Unicorn Founder” Raanan Cohen discusses what it takes to build a unicorn company, the "dirty secrets" of Israel's high-tech sector, and what it means to be an entrepreneur.