Israel Next Podcast

-   This month will see the preliminary climax of the power struggle between the government and the Supreme Court in Israel. Will the court lead the nation towards a breakdown of the entire democratic system, or will its judges use the sense of their predecessors and open up for an orderly way to solve the crisis?-    PA-leader Mahmoud Abbas has once again made outrageous comments on the Holocaust.-    As the holidays approach, the terror level in Israel increases, this year more than normal.-    A former Mossad Chief calls Israel an apartheid regime.-    This week’s Torah portion is about the closeness of God

Israel is experiencing the worst year in terms of terror attacks since 2005. Why is this happening and what can be done?In these days, we mark thirty years since the signing of the Oslo Accords. We offer a brief evaluation of what must be considered a huge failure.A new report reveals shocking material on how the Palestinian Authority erases Jews and Israel from their schoolbooks.In this weeks Torah portion we will talk about the extreme importance of remembering.

Following a short update from our work, these are issues discussed:- September is going to be busy in Israel: Important deliberations will be held by the Supreme Court, demonstrations are likely to continue, and the Jewish holidays with focus on repentance and reconciliation will frame the daily routines from the middle of the month.- With this relatively religious government many ask whether Israel is on the way to become a halacha state – governed by religious law.- Meanwhile Iran is trying a new way to hurt Israel; enlisting Arab Israelis.- In this week’s Torah portion Rabbis deal with the question of whether we are only responsible for our own individual sins.

A brief but important update on the development on the judicial reform in Israel and the internal divisions it has created. The coming days are crucial - I encourage you to pray!

This episode deal with the following topics:1. The Israeli army’s operation in Jenin has been criticized in our media. But it was an extraordinary example of just and moral warfare.2. The anti-government demonstrations in Israel seem to lose direction – and have lost some of the popularity3. Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to strengthen the Palestinian Authority – But is the PA part of the solution or the problem?4. Hamas manipulates Europeans under cover of human rights activism.5. Archaeology: The theory that is slowly collapsing

Hamas is slowly turning Judea and Samaria into a powerful base of terror – but Israel has the power to stop them. The question is if they can allow themselves to do so. In the court cases against Prime Minister Netanyahu, the bribery accusation seems less and less credible. In area after area in Israel law and order is not upheld as it should. Netanyahu needs to prove he can handle this challenge before it get out of control. Finally, and update from my month-long stay in Israel with focus on the importance of visiting Israel.

Tens of thousands of Israelis rejoice over the unification of Jerusalem – but not everyone is happy with the Jerusalem march. Netanyahu struggles with his coalition in budget issues, but is likely to come through this time as well. Mahmoud Abbas gets more extreme as more and more nations are pushed off by his rhetoric. And an inscribed curse found on Mount Ebal causes controversy among archaeologists. This week’s Torah portion deals with the significance of the silence of the desert – and with numbers.

Israel is once again forced to defend its citizens against rocket terror. Operation Shield and Arrow is targeting Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip and has delivered a serious blow to that organization. We talk about why it started, how it develops, and where it is likely to lead. We also talk about the lack of interest in Arabs dying in PA prisons, and we have a few words on the unrest in Israel’s governing coalition. We end with the weekly Torah-portion and speak this time of personal responsibility and the power of standing together.

1. A soothing unity resurfaced on Memorial and Independence Day among Israelis. 2. Yesterday, maybe the largest ever right-wing demonstration took place in support of the judicial reform. 3. Netanyahu might be looking for a plea deal in the court cases against him. 4. After news in short, this week’s Torah portion deals with what it is to be holy, why we need to confess sins, and what it means to love one’s neighbor.

Following a short update of Israel Next activities these first four months of 2023, we give an update on the status of the reform of the justice system. We also talk about the fact that more and more Israelis are pushing for a compromise. Then we mark the fact that Israel celebrates its 25th anniversary on Wednesday. Finally, our news in short and the weekly Torah portion rounds off this episode.