FIDF Live Briefing: Dr. Jerry Berkowitz, Hostage & Survivor of 1970 Black September Hijacking - August 4, 2024

FIDF CEO Steven Weil explains why the IDF is the world’s most ethical army, expounding on the historical and biblical origins of the IDF to elucidate the moral code its policies are rooted in. He cites a few examples to illustrate the IDF’s exemplary moral conduct, including the IDF’s unprecedented civilian-to-combatant kill ratio, a fraction of the ratio of other armies historically.  Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

Podcast Description: FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Deputy Commander of the Israeli Staff Command and former Head of the Counter Terrorism Bureau at the Prime Minister’s Office Brig. Gen. (Res) Nitzan Nuriel, to discuss the current challenges facing the IDF, including the munitions deficit, being attacked on nine different fronts, the mental well-being of soldiers as we approach the one-year mark of the war, the looming threat of Iran wresting control of Jordan, and the recent hostage assassination. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil welcomes Lt. Col. (Res.) Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Israeli Scholar of Arab Culture, Lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, and Vice President of NEWSRAEL to offer his expert insight into Israel's conflict with Iran within the broader context of Middle Eastern, Islamic, and world histories. Dr. Kedar elaborates on the various internal divisions within the Muslim world--particularly the Shia and Sunni sects--and how their conflicts are impacting Israel's geopolitical reality and fueling wars throughout the Middle East. Steve and Dr. Kedar also discuss the dangers posed to Western societies around the world by the extremist ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. Finally, Dr. Kedar provides his views on the current and future situation with Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution goes toward meeting their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 9/1/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil and FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan provide a critical update on Israel’s current security situation. The briefing covers the IDF’s successful preemptive strike against Hezbollah and the interception of hundreds of incoming missiles. General Padan outlines potential escalations in the North involving Iran and other regional actors, as well as the ongoing objectives in Gaza. He also addresses the delicate balance between these operations and Israel’s priority to bring home as many hostages alive as possible, while emphasizing the strategic message Israel’s response sends to its adversaries. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution goes toward meeting their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 8/25/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil welcomes Aaron Bours, Master Sergeant, Givati Brigade. Bours tells his story from his childhood in the U.S., finding his calling with the IDF, his experience as a lone soldier, his life after active service, his reaction and return to service after October 7th, and much more. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 08/18/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil is joined by three soldiers from the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, Capt. Ron, Corp. Ella, and Staff Sgt. Yoav for today's briefing. Corp. Ella, from Kibbutz Be'eri, Staff Sgt. Yoav, from Kfar Aza, and Capt. Ron, serving in reserves, each soldier shares their story of their family, their experience on October 7, and more. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 08/11/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil and FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Res) Nadav Padan provide a special briefing update on the current situation in Israel. Maj. Gen. (Res) Padan gives details on the assassinations that took place over the last couple weeks, the anticipation of a response, the options developing with Hezbollah, the drone activity in the North, how the U.S. could respond to the situation, providing context before judging each front, strategies concerning Iran, updates from the war with Hamas in Gaza, and more. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 8/9/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil speaks with Dr. Jerry Berkowitz, a hostage and survivor of the 1970 Black September airplane hijacking in which terrorists from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hijacked four airliners bound for New York and took 56 Jews as hostages to Jordan. Dr. Berkowitz recounts in great detail his experience being taken hostage with his wife and young daughter, who were soon after separated from him and released, while he and five other men were held in captivity for a month. The two discuss how this hijacking related to the broader geopolitical events of the time, specifically the Black September Uprising, when the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and PFLP tried to overthrow the Jordanian government. Dr. Berkowitz also describes the painful long-term effects of this experience for himself, his wife, and children. Lastly, he offers advice and words of consolation for the families of current Israeli hostages who are being held in Gaza. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 08/04/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil is joined by Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice President for Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Former U.S. Treasury Finance Terror Analyst for a Special Live Briefing to recount all the latest news concerning Israel and the IDF. Mr. Schanzer discusses the preemptive U.S. strikes in Iraq, strikes from Israel on Hezbollah, the terrorists that Israel has recently eliminated, the anticipated response after these assassinations, the status of Hamas without the majority of its leadership, the U.S.'s intent for involvement in this war, the reality of that involvement, and much more. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 07/31/2024)

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil welcomes Noya Govrin, Director of the Lone Soldier Program at Nefesh B'Nefesh to discuss the situation for lone soldiers, non-Israelis who voluntarily join the IDF, during the ongoing war. Noya describes her experience dealing with her own son, who was injured by a Hezbollah attack while on duty. The two also touch on the many unique challenges that lone soldiers from all over the world have to grapple with--from cultural adjustments to bureaucratic obstacles--on top of serving in wartime and how Nefesh B'Nefesh services help make their lives easier. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs. (Recorded 07/28/2024)