Interesting parallel, maybe, when Haviv mentioned in Part 3 about how following the mental meme of the progressives is harming the Palestinians, does it also hold true for black people in America? Around 50 minutes in.
Just came here to say a wholehearted THANK YOU. Not only for this series but for the FP's continued commitment to real journalistic integrity. Especially the last interview with Haviv Rettig Gur - he is so insightful, well-spoken, deeply knowledgeable, and one of the few voices out there that understands the deep complexity of this situation (Einat Wilf is another). As someone who has watched in horror as the entire world wrongly accuses Israel of obscene lies, the FP's presence in my life has been a small comfort. At least I know that this community of readers is reading factual and in-depth reporting...not just soundbites and clickbait. Again, thank you. My subscription is worth every penny.
Thanks for these interviews, they were interesting and emotional listening. Something that bothers me about western foreign policy (the US especially, but also EU countries), and is particularly relevant in situations dealing with Islamic nations, is that our policy makers can't comprehend people really believe in their religion and see it as the only way to organize society. It seems to me "our" side thinks they can persuade "their" side to negotiate away their deeply held religious beliefs to achieve some compromise. Or that "they" are really interested in money more than other things. Or that "they" can't really mean they want to eradicate the Jews (or other groups), that it is just a misinterpretation. But what happens is "we" make concessions and get nothing in return. The same thing also seems to apply when dealing with communists, like China. "They" can't really believe in that ideology the way they talk about it, "they" want the same things "we" do and will be open to persuasion when "they" see how our relatively free society works. It appears to me that all of our foreign policy is based on either hubris, ignorance, or guilt, not a real grasp of our interests and any feeling that our society is worth defending. The results are pretty evident across the range of issues and continents.
The one ray of hope I found in this excellent expose' was the idea of providing concerted support for the 15-20 percent of Palestinians who struggle, and suffer, for a time when Jews & Palestinians can live, side by side, in peace. Is there any chance this effort will become a reality?
Why exactly would Israel even attempt that? I think their error is compassion; they should’ve fought 30 days, not 6, then rebuilt the temple of Solomon and kept the Sinai. After that, meet any attack with utter destruction of an enemy. Instead, here we are. Maybe now they’ll pursue the UN as an openly hostile enemy by banning UNWRA and basically annexing most of Gaza, making the south of that place entirely Egypt’s problem and then making sure there are no new tunnels. If America had any courage left we would help them do that instead of trying to topple their government and force them to lose a war they didn’t start. Better still we would make sure domestic supporters of terror groups, including (sadly) students, are at least loudly marginalized or, following recent trends, prosecuted outright.
This idea of appeasement has failed. Tolerance has failed. Time to change.
Fantastic reporting. Bravo. Thank God for the Free Press. I described this series to a friend as somehow both horribly devastating and hopeful. I am sad there aren’t more episodes. Great production.
I will listen to the podcast because the Free Press always does a good job. I stand against the war because I stand against all wars. Violence simply creates further violence. I am not opposed to bringing justice to those responsible, but when said justice kills women and children as collateral damage, even if we can assume the best intentions, then it is simply not justice but barbarism and revenge. That’s hard to hear. Israel is not alone. America acted like a barbarian state after 9/11. I understood the sentiments, but in the end the world is no safer, so the strategy failed. Why should anyone cheer on Israel repeating a failed strategy? The left is lost right now when it stutters to condemn terrorism barbarism as well. What the terrorists did on 10/7 is inexcusable and it made both Gaza and Israel a worse place to live, so I would challenge anyone who cheers or cheered in favor of that barbarism.
I, for one, do not “cheer on” Israel, but I do understand perfectly their need to protect their own. Anything short of divine intervention cannot supplant the need to confront evil with force - they would not recognize anything less.
I understand your sentiment, but I do not agree that the current campaign will solve ANY of Israel’s long term problems. 5 years from now we will he reading how this made matters worse. Same back and forth for decades. Try something new.
So what is your proposed solution? Should Israel just take it on the chin and beg Hamas to release the hostages, and not attack, because it won't accomplish anything? Would you have said that in Sept 1939?
I'd love to see The Free Press put this much effort into the invasion being facilitated by the Democratic Party at the southern border of the United States...
You mean is there any outlet that DOESN'T support Israel? AIPAC has made sure that most of the world is one voice that only supports Israel. Any other voice is called Anti-semetic even though both Israel and Palestine are Semitic people.
Huh? Much of the press, including the NYT, is at best half-hearted about supporting Israel, and wants a cease fire NOW, even though that means a victory for Hamas. Is that supporting Israel??
Most of what I read is all Gaza all the time. I do not think Israel is perfect, but it exists and it was horribly attacked. If (proportionately) 40,000 American civilians including children were killed and 1500 TAKEN HOSTAGE in violation of international law, by Quebecois dreaming of a new Republic of Madawaska, or Mexicans wanting the Gadsden Purchase back, things would get ugly. That’s what happened here. I don’t know what a proportionate response would be, but Israel was the one attacked.
A question, in the first episode you interviewed a young man who before 10/7 was protesting the Israel government every Saturday because he did not agree with the direction (completely understand his position). After 10/7, he like most Israelis, becomes a full supporter of protecting his country. I was curious about why he did not identify himself. Was he concerned about the blowback from his government if identified?
I would like someone to explain to me what the protests were about in Israel in the year preceding the war. The Supreme Court in Israel gets to block any law that it deems "unreasonable." What other democratic country allows such a thing? Certainly not England, France, Germany, Holland, etc. Why would Jews in Israel complain when the government was proposing that the Israeli Supreme Court have powers similar to the supreme courts of other Western countries? My own guess is that secular Jews are afraid of religious Jews becoming a majority, and they really, really don't want any religious obligations imposed on them, like not driving on streets that run through religious neighborhoods. In Ocean Grove, NJ, vehicular traffic was banned on Sundays in the 19th century, and I think that even now, it's banned in the center of town. If one truly believes in democracy, why shouldn't the majority get to make similar laws? Of course, compromise is possible, but I have not heard talk of compromise from either side.
All three of these podcasts were stunning and exceptional. I learned so much. The Israeli Palestinian newscaster captured my heart and her insights seemed so raw, fresh and completely correct and logical. Why not figure out how to find Palestinians that want to be Israeli's?
In 1948 after the UN resolution to create the state of Israel the Muslim countries told all Muslims to leave Israel since they were going to attack Israel ...well Egypt Syria Lebanon Jordan plus??? Attack but Israel won
All Muslim Arabs that did not run but stayed in Israel became isreali citizens
Those that left scream they want. Right to return
Isreal said no you can not return you did not stay to fight for Israel you supported the countries that attacked us and. You can not return
Convert or kill is a part of the Muslim religion. There never was a Palestine.the west Bank. Are the Jordanians who lost the 1967 war. Then in the 1980's Jordan took away their Jordanian citizenship and made them homeless and stateless and refused to take back their own citizens
There are 25 Muslim countries that have been at war with Israel since 1948. The UN gave the Arabs their own state in 1947 UN resolution and they told the UN they did not want it
Muslims have killed 80000 blacks in Nigeria and 45000 Christians in Nigeria but nobody reports this
The Muslim countries persecute Christians world wide
Maybe sign up for the Christian post.
Muslims have killed 400000 Muslims in Yemen but that is not genocide
Interesting parallel, maybe, when Haviv mentioned in Part 3 about how following the mental meme of the progressives is harming the Palestinians, does it also hold true for black people in America? Around 50 minutes in.
Just came here to say a wholehearted THANK YOU. Not only for this series but for the FP's continued commitment to real journalistic integrity. Especially the last interview with Haviv Rettig Gur - he is so insightful, well-spoken, deeply knowledgeable, and one of the few voices out there that understands the deep complexity of this situation (Einat Wilf is another). As someone who has watched in horror as the entire world wrongly accuses Israel of obscene lies, the FP's presence in my life has been a small comfort. At least I know that this community of readers is reading factual and in-depth reporting...not just soundbites and clickbait. Again, thank you. My subscription is worth every penny.
It was excellent journalism!
Thanks for these interviews, they were interesting and emotional listening. Something that bothers me about western foreign policy (the US especially, but also EU countries), and is particularly relevant in situations dealing with Islamic nations, is that our policy makers can't comprehend people really believe in their religion and see it as the only way to organize society. It seems to me "our" side thinks they can persuade "their" side to negotiate away their deeply held religious beliefs to achieve some compromise. Or that "they" are really interested in money more than other things. Or that "they" can't really mean they want to eradicate the Jews (or other groups), that it is just a misinterpretation. But what happens is "we" make concessions and get nothing in return. The same thing also seems to apply when dealing with communists, like China. "They" can't really believe in that ideology the way they talk about it, "they" want the same things "we" do and will be open to persuasion when "they" see how our relatively free society works. It appears to me that all of our foreign policy is based on either hubris, ignorance, or guilt, not a real grasp of our interests and any feeling that our society is worth defending. The results are pretty evident across the range of issues and continents.
Wish these were transcribed. I could read these in 1/10 the time it takes to listen to the podcasts.
Excellent series. Applause.
The one ray of hope I found in this excellent expose' was the idea of providing concerted support for the 15-20 percent of Palestinians who struggle, and suffer, for a time when Jews & Palestinians can live, side by side, in peace. Is there any chance this effort will become a reality?
Why exactly would Israel even attempt that? I think their error is compassion; they should’ve fought 30 days, not 6, then rebuilt the temple of Solomon and kept the Sinai. After that, meet any attack with utter destruction of an enemy. Instead, here we are. Maybe now they’ll pursue the UN as an openly hostile enemy by banning UNWRA and basically annexing most of Gaza, making the south of that place entirely Egypt’s problem and then making sure there are no new tunnels. If America had any courage left we would help them do that instead of trying to topple their government and force them to lose a war they didn’t start. Better still we would make sure domestic supporters of terror groups, including (sadly) students, are at least loudly marginalized or, following recent trends, prosecuted outright.
This idea of appeasement has failed. Tolerance has failed. Time to change.
Fantastic reporting. Bravo. Thank God for the Free Press. I described this series to a friend as somehow both horribly devastating and hopeful. I am sad there aren’t more episodes. Great production.
I will listen to the podcast because the Free Press always does a good job. I stand against the war because I stand against all wars. Violence simply creates further violence. I am not opposed to bringing justice to those responsible, but when said justice kills women and children as collateral damage, even if we can assume the best intentions, then it is simply not justice but barbarism and revenge. That’s hard to hear. Israel is not alone. America acted like a barbarian state after 9/11. I understood the sentiments, but in the end the world is no safer, so the strategy failed. Why should anyone cheer on Israel repeating a failed strategy? The left is lost right now when it stutters to condemn terrorism barbarism as well. What the terrorists did on 10/7 is inexcusable and it made both Gaza and Israel a worse place to live, so I would challenge anyone who cheers or cheered in favor of that barbarism.
I, for one, do not “cheer on” Israel, but I do understand perfectly their need to protect their own. Anything short of divine intervention cannot supplant the need to confront evil with force - they would not recognize anything less.
I understand your sentiment, but I do not agree that the current campaign will solve ANY of Israel’s long term problems. 5 years from now we will he reading how this made matters worse. Same back and forth for decades. Try something new.
So what is your proposed solution? Should Israel just take it on the chin and beg Hamas to release the hostages, and not attack, because it won't accomplish anything? Would you have said that in Sept 1939?
Muslims killed 80000 blacks in Nigeria and 45000 Christians in Nigeria
Why no comment
Muslims have killed 400000 Muslims in Yemen
But dear peacenik
25 countries have been at war with Israel since 1948
Muslim countries persecute Christians world wide
Pakistan is throwing out 1.5 million Muslims from Afghanistan
But no comment hay
Silence is complicity
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Maya Angelou
This is why I love The Free Press. I get news that most newsrooms won't or can't cover.
I'd love to see The Free Press put this much effort into the invasion being facilitated by the Democratic Party at the southern border of the United States...
“From the river to the sea, there will be two peaceful states!” That is not their slogan, is it?
There is no way I will read any of your articles on Israel, especially a three-part audio.
You have proven to be a one sided propaganda outlet and not fair reporting you should expect from a label of 'The Free Press'.
I think you should give it a listen. It was more nuanced than you have assumed here.
Is there any other outlet that supports Israel? Name one. You can still support Al Jazeera, or American media.
You mean is there any outlet that DOESN'T support Israel? AIPAC has made sure that most of the world is one voice that only supports Israel. Any other voice is called Anti-semetic even though both Israel and Palestine are Semitic people.
Huh? Much of the press, including the NYT, is at best half-hearted about supporting Israel, and wants a cease fire NOW, even though that means a victory for Hamas. Is that supporting Israel??
Most of what I read is all Gaza all the time. I do not think Israel is perfect, but it exists and it was horribly attacked. If (proportionately) 40,000 American civilians including children were killed and 1500 TAKEN HOSTAGE in violation of international law, by Quebecois dreaming of a new Republic of Madawaska, or Mexicans wanting the Gadsden Purchase back, things would get ugly. That’s what happened here. I don’t know what a proportionate response would be, but Israel was the one attacked.
LOL. You have been reading too much "The Free Press" propaganda. ;-)
Thanks for proving my point.
A question, in the first episode you interviewed a young man who before 10/7 was protesting the Israel government every Saturday because he did not agree with the direction (completely understand his position). After 10/7, he like most Israelis, becomes a full supporter of protecting his country. I was curious about why he did not identify himself. Was he concerned about the blowback from his government if identified?
I would like someone to explain to me what the protests were about in Israel in the year preceding the war. The Supreme Court in Israel gets to block any law that it deems "unreasonable." What other democratic country allows such a thing? Certainly not England, France, Germany, Holland, etc. Why would Jews in Israel complain when the government was proposing that the Israeli Supreme Court have powers similar to the supreme courts of other Western countries? My own guess is that secular Jews are afraid of religious Jews becoming a majority, and they really, really don't want any religious obligations imposed on them, like not driving on streets that run through religious neighborhoods. In Ocean Grove, NJ, vehicular traffic was banned on Sundays in the 19th century, and I think that even now, it's banned in the center of town. If one truly believes in democracy, why shouldn't the majority get to make similar laws? Of course, compromise is possible, but I have not heard talk of compromise from either side.
All three of these podcasts were stunning and exceptional. I learned so much. The Israeli Palestinian newscaster captured my heart and her insights seemed so raw, fresh and completely correct and logical. Why not figure out how to find Palestinians that want to be Israeli's?
In 1948 after the UN resolution to create the state of Israel the Muslim countries told all Muslims to leave Israel since they were going to attack Israel ...well Egypt Syria Lebanon Jordan plus??? Attack but Israel won
All Muslim Arabs that did not run but stayed in Israel became isreali citizens
Those that left scream they want. Right to return
Isreal said no you can not return you did not stay to fight for Israel you supported the countries that attacked us and. You can not return
Convert or kill is a part of the Muslim religion. There never was a Palestine.the west Bank. Are the Jordanians who lost the 1967 war. Then in the 1980's Jordan took away their Jordanian citizenship and made them homeless and stateless and refused to take back their own citizens
There are 25 Muslim countries that have been at war with Israel since 1948. The UN gave the Arabs their own state in 1947 UN resolution and they told the UN they did not want it
Muslims have killed 80000 blacks in Nigeria and 45000 Christians in Nigeria but nobody reports this
The Muslim countries persecute Christians world wide
Maybe sign up for the Christian post.
Muslims have killed 400000 Muslims in Yemen but that is not genocide