FIDF Live Briefing: Maj. Lior Shweitzer, Deputy Head of the COGAT International Relations Branch - May 19, 2024

FIDF Director of Content and Production Lara Krinsky is joined by Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the international spokesperson for the IDF, who shares insights from his frontline communications role during the ongoing conflict. Shoshani opens by acknowledging the mental and emotional toll of the past two years — both for soldiers and Israeli society — and expresses deep gratitude to FIDF supporters for their continued solidarity. He describes how soldiers in the field often ask whether the world still supports them, and he reassures them by conveying the encouragement and love shown by diaspora communities. Shoshani explains the complexities of communicating Israel’s position in a hostile global media environment, especially when Hamas hides behind civilian infrastructure and manipulates narratives. He emphasizes that the IDF is not just fighting militarily but also morally, doing its best to uphold international law and ethical conduct even under fire. He reflects on the pain of losing soldiers and the heavy responsibility of representing Israel’s truth on the world stage. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful and inspired by the unity and resilience of Israeli society and the unwavering support from Jewish communities abroad. He ends with a call for continued advocacy, reminding listeners that their voices and actions help boost morale and protect Israel’s legitimacy in the court of public opinion.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.

Jackie Cherkas, VP of the FIDF LA Young Leadership Board and VP of Sales at Vizer, is joined by FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan to discuss Jackie’s personal journey as a first-generation American and her passion for supporting the IDF and Jewish community. Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan shares insight into Israel’s strategic and social challenges during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. He emphasizes the vital connection between the IDF and Israeli society, particularly the role of reservists who left families and careers to serve. Padan highlights the IDF’s values-driven approach and stresses the importance of strengthening public trust through moral, ethical conduct — even during war. He outlines Israel’s multi-front reality, describing how the conflict in Gaza intersects with threats from Hezbollah in the north and Iran’s strategic ambitions. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is acknowledged, but Padan reaffirms that Hamas embeds itself in civilian infrastructure, complicating Israel’s military response. He stresses that support for Israeli soldiers — both moral and material — has never been more critical, especially for those returning to civilian life after months in uniform. Padan urges the global Jewish community to remain united and vocal in support of Israel and the IDF, framing FIDF as the bridge between American Jews and Israeli soldiers. He closes with a message of resilience, partnership, and gratitude for the solidarity shown by young Jewish leaders and communities worldwide.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 CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan is joined by Former Head of the National Security Council of Israel Maj. Gen. (Res.) Giora Eiland to discuss the implications of the recently signed ceasefire agreement in Gaza and its strategic consequences. He outlines three main themes: the current ceasefire phase, the more complicated upcoming phase, and the broader regional dynamics. The first phase involved intensive negotiations with key players like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, and while difficult to achieve, it offers temporary humanitarian relief and a pause in combat. The second phase—which is still uncertain—will address deeper issues such as governance, disarmament, and the fate of remaining hostages. Eiland warns that while Hamas is militarily weakened, it remains politically defiant, and that prolonging the war without a clear endgame may damage Israel's strategic standing. He emphasizes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be isolated from wider regional shifts, including changing alliances and the role of external actors like Iran. Importantly, he calls for Israel to shape a coherent vision for “the day after,” including security guarantees and a realistic political framework. Eiland stresses that only by combining military pressure with diplomatic planning can Israel protect its interests and avoid international isolation.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 CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan is joined by Homefront Command’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Liron Donnell, who provides an overview of the Homefront Command, a unique branch of the IDF tasked with civil defense and emergency response inside Israel during wartime. She explains that unlike U.S. agencies like FEMA or Homeland Security, the Homefront Command is both military and civilian in its scope—responsible for preparing the population, coordinating first response during rocket attacks, and ensuring continuity of civilian life. During the Gaza war, Homefront Command played a vital role in rescue missions, shelter management, and public alerts, often under ongoing rocket fire. General Liron emphasizes the complexity of managing simultaneous crises—such as evacuations, infrastructure repair, and psychological support—especially with Hezbollah threatening the northern front. She praises the resilience of Israeli civilians and describes innovative communication strategies used to keep citizens informed and safe in real time. The conversation also touches on how Israeli society adapts to prolonged conflict, with schools and hospitals operating in protected zones. General Liron closes by highlighting the strategic importance of the civilian front, framing it as integral to national security, and expressing gratitude for FIDF support that helps boost morale and readiness.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 CEO Nadav Padan is joined by LTC Former Military Diplomat, Foreign Relations Expert and International Spokesperson Jonathan Conricus, who provided a strategic overview of Israel’s military situation and international posture. He stresses that while Israel has achieved operational success against Hamas in Gaza, it is losing the global public relations battle, which could have long-term diplomatic consequences. Conricus outlines how Hamas has shifted from a structured military force to scattered guerrilla cells embedded in civilian areas, making it harder to defeat without international backlash. He warns that Israel must balance continued military pressure with strategic communication and diplomacy, especially given growing criticism from allies like the U.S. and Europe. In the north, tensions with Hezbollah remain high, with the risk of escalation still present. Iran continues to fund and coordinate regional threats, though its nuclear program has been significantly disrupted. Conricus also discusses the importance of preparing for the "day after" in Gaza, recommending that Arab states take part in governance while Israel maintains security control. He underscores the vital role of the U.S.-Israel alliance and urges FIDF supporters to continue advocating for Israel’s security and legitimacy.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 CEO Nadav Padan is joined by LTC Yotam Shefer, Head of International Relations Branch for CogAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories), a unit within the Israeli Defense Ministry and IDF, responsible for civil and humanitarian coordination in Gaza, the West Bank, and surrounding areas. He explains that CogAT plays a central role in facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza, coordinating with over 20 UN agencies, dozens of NGOs, and local Palestinian entities, despite the challenges of operating in an active combat zone. Schaefer rejects claims of famine and starvation in Gaza, asserting that aid continues to flow—300 to 350 trucks daily—and that images circulated as evidence of starvation are often misrepresented cases of pre-existing medical conditions. He criticizes the UN and other reports for relying on what he considers unreliable or Hamas-affiliated sources, while stating that CogAT maintains independent assessments and coordination on the ground. He emphasizes that Israel did not seek this war, citing previous efforts to improve Gaza's economy and infrastructure. Evacuations of civilians from combat zones are conducted with prior notice and alternative shelters, including field hospitals. Finally, he stresses that the humanitarian effort is both a moral and strategic interest for Israel, and that it continues despite immense operational complexity.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 CEO Nadav Padan is joined by Maj. Gen. (Res.) Tamir Hayman, Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), to provide an overview of Israel’s strategic situation across multiple fronts. He begins by stating that Iran's nuclear program has been set back significantly due to recent Israeli operations, requiring at least 1–2 years for Iran to rebuild its capabilities. While a direct Iranian strike is unlikely, the risk of miscalculation remains. Tamir describes growing instability in Syria, where the Assad regime is cracking down on minority groups, and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is losing ground and political pressure is mounting for a withdrawal from the south. Turning to Gaza, he warns that Israel is losing the global PR war and facing severe international pressure despite major tactical gains on the battlefield. Hamas has devolved into a guerrilla network, but its refusal to release hostages is strategically prolonging the war and weakening Israel diplomatically. The speaker suggests two military strategies were considered: a buffer zone or a full reoccupation of Gaza City—the latter was chosen, though it carries high political and humanitarian risks. Ultimately, Tamir argues for a broader regional solution involving Arab partners, a post-Hamas governance structure, and possible steps toward Israel-Saudi normalization. He urges Israel to maintain military pressure while signaling a credible vision for the “day after” and compares the situation to counter-terror efforts in the West Bank following the Second Intifada.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 CEO Nadav Padan is joined by Brigadier General Effie Defrin, IDF Spokesperson, to discuss the current war in Gaza and broader regional hostilities as an existential, multi-front conflict for Israel, one that will define its future for generations. He admits that October 7th marked a dramatic failure for Israel's defense establishment, but emphasizes a shift in military doctrine since then—from a strategy of containment and avoidance to one of preemption and aggression, targeting threats before they become unmanageable. Defrin describes the fight against Hamas as unprecedentedly difficult due to Hamas embedding itself in civilian infrastructure (hospitals, schools, ambulances), hostage-taking and psychological warfare (e.g., propaganda videos), and a dense, urban battlefield with a highly committed and extremist enemy. The IDF's stated goal is twofold: bring hostages home and eliminate Hamas rule in Gaza. Defrin calls accusations of deliberate starvation or war crimes propaganda, accusing Hamas of hoarding and selling humanitarian aid for profit. Defrin speaks at length about the "media battlefield", describing Hamas’ manipulation of Western media with staged images and weaponizing civilian deaths. Western expectations of Israeli morality has been exploited by Hamas. He shares an anecdote about a photo of a starving child used by international media, which was later proven to be a sick child in an Italian hospital — used falsely to accuse Israel. Defrin highlights deep strategic cooperation with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), describing it as bipartisan and personal, transcending political changes. This relationship is sssential in building regional alliances under the Abraham Accords and integrating Israel into a broader Middle Eastern defense architecture, and crucial for emergency resupply and logistics during wartime. Without it, successful joint efforts such as the recent 12-day Iran war would not be possible..Defrin pledges to uphold the IDF’s values of truth and ethical warfare, even under immense pressure.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 Shiri Yanay, Senior Manager, Delegation Content and Speakers, is joined by Jonathan Schanzer, Exec. Dir., Found. for Defense of Democracies (FDD) to discuss what’s been occurring over the last week, focusing primarily on Gaza but also touching on other key threats: Hezbollah in the north, Iran’s regional influence, and U.S.-Israel relations. Schanzer addresses international claims that Israel is starving Gaza, calling such narratives misleading and emphasizing the complexity of the war zone. Schanzer explains that Hamas embeds itself in civilian infrastructure, making IDF operations slow and difficult, and that the absence of a clear post-war governance plan for Gaza is becoming a strategic liability. He warns that Hezbollah in the north poses a far greater threat than Hamas, with daily attacks forcing tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate. Iran, he argues, is the central actor behind these threats, funding and arming its proxies across the region. Schanzer criticizes U.S. policy for not doing enough to constrain Iran’s reach, though he affirms that military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel remains strong. He also stresses the importance of fighting misinformation in the media, which he believes Hamas exploits effectively. Finally, he urges continued support for the IDF and warns of the growing global antisemitism tied to the war's narrative battlefield.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 CEO Steven Weil is joined by FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan to discuss what’s been occurring over the last week in Syria. Nadav first explains what is happening in Iran, who are is a state of recovery from the 12-day war. The Iranian regime is filled with internal friction, with checkpoints being set up around the country, and Europe not yet lifting their sanctions until they get the go ahead from the US to do so. To explain what’s happening in Syria, Nadav goes back to the destabilization of the region from French and British colonizers years ago, which led to the creation of Syria. It was set up as an Arab-speaking Arab country, until figures like al-Jolani usurped power to turn the country into a Muslim country. Israel launched attacks to destroy much of Syria’s navy and military equipment, weapons and outposts as the Assad regime was falling. 13,000 Druze have crossed the border from Syria into Israel, and IDF troops have entered Syria to defend the innocent Druze population and enforce stability, while ceasefire talks are underway. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the fighting continues. The IDF is losing soldiers from sniper, IED and rocket launcher attacks as they clear out what remains of Gaza, weathering guerrilla-style attacks from Hamas. Regarding the ceasefire negotiations, Israel has been very flexible with the terms. However, it has been challenging to budge the other side. The main goal is to get back the hostages, both those who are alive and deceased,  without having to release too many Hamas terrorists and without allowing Hamas too much time to regroups during the span of the ceasefire.