After months in Hamas captivity, the release of some Israeli hostages has brought moments of relief - but also difficult questions. While the public sees smiling faces and embraces, the reality behind the scenes is far more complex.

In this episode, Haaretz Podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer speaks with Professor Hagai Levine, head of the health team for the Hostages Family Forum and chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physician.

What happens to a person’s body and mind after being held hostage for over a year? Why is the Israeli government failing to provide proper long-term care for the freed hostages? And what needs to be done - urgently - to rescue those who are still trapped in Gaza?

After months in Hamas captivity, the release of some Israeli hostages has brought moments of relief - but also difficult questions. While the public sees smiling faces and embraces, the reality behind the scenes is far more complex.
In this episode, Haaretz Podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer speaks with Professor Hagai Levine, head of the health team for the Hostages Family Forum and chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physician.
What happens to a person&rsquo;s body and mind after being held hostage for over a year? Why is the Israeli government failing to provide proper long-term care for the freed hostages? And what needs to be done - urgently - to rescue those who are still trapped in Gaza?

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Your audio guide to Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

Haaretz Podcast

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer. 

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Hamas captivity to recovery: the long road ahead for Israel's freed hostages

Birthright Israel is celebrating 25 years of offering a free 10-day trip to Israel to every young Diaspora Jew with the hope of fighting assimilation. The celebrations include a $900 million fundraising campaign.

But, as Haaretz Jewish World editor Judy Maltz told the Haaretz Podcast, their traditional mission and "fun in the sun" marketing campaign have become deeply problematic, given the battering of the image of the Jewish state in the eyes of many young people around the world.

Instead of unaffiliated Jews, Maltz said, the programs are increasingly filled with participants who are "presumably already very much in touch with their Jewish identity," begging the question as to whether this is where hundreds of millions in Jewish philanthropic dollars and funding by the state of Israel should be going.

On the podcast, Maltz discusses the reasons behind the shift, based on more than 30 interviews with Birthright participants, and those who chose not to go.

Many of those interviewees, she reports "feel very distant from Israel. They feel very uncomfortable with its actions, especially over the past two years with what's happened in Gaza."

Maltz also discusses a new and different trend she has reported on: trips to Israel by young leftist Jews who choose to spend their time off providing "protective presence" in West Bank Palestinian villages menaced by violent settlers. "Being on the ground is really the only way to bear witness," she was told by the young Americans camping out in the villages.

 

Read more:

Has Birthright Become a Toxic Brand?

Not Masada or the Dead Sea: Young Diaspora Jews Provide Protective Presence in the West Bank

Birthright Is Resuming Its Free Trips to Israel for the First Time Since October 7

Haaretz Editorial: Birthright Israel: The Problem Is Reality, Not Money

Birthright Israel is celebrating 25 years of offering a free 10-day trip to Israel to every young Diaspora Jew with the hope of fighting assimilation. The celebrations include a $900 million fundraising campaign.
But, as Haaretz Jewish World editor Judy Maltz told the Haaretz Podcast, their traditional mission and "fun in the sun" marketing campaign have become deeply problematic, given the battering of the image of the Jewish state in the eyes of many young people around the world.
Instead of unaffiliated Jews, Maltz said, the programs are increasingly filled with participants who are "presumably already very much in touch with their Jewish identity," begging the question as to whether this is where hundreds of millions in Jewish philanthropic dollars and funding by the state of Israel should be going.
On the podcast, Maltz discusses the reasons behind the shift, based on more than 30 interviews with Birthright participants, and those who chose not to go.
Many of those interviewees, she reports "feel very distant from Israel. They feel very uncomfortable with its actions, especially over the past two years with what's happened in Gaza."
Maltz also discusses a new and different trend she has reported on: trips to Israel by young leftist Jews who choose to spend their time off providing "protective presence" in West Bank Palestinian villages menaced by violent settlers. "Being on the ground is really the only way to bear witness," she was told by the young Americans camping out in the villages.
&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-01-11/ty-article-magazine/.premium/has-birthright-become-a-toxic-brand/0000019b-ad28-dfba-a5db-bdea52ab0000">Has Birthright Become a Toxic Brand?</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-01-16/ty-article-magazine/.premium/not-masada-or-the-dead-sea-young-diaspora-jews-provide-protective-presence-in-west-bank/0000019b-b6cb-d66b-a5df-b6db7a430000">Not Masada or the Dead Sea: Young Diaspora Jews Provide Protective Presence in the West Bank</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-20/ty-article/birthright-is-resuming-its-free-trips-to-israel-for-the-first-time-since-october-7/0000018c-863d-d219-a5bf-b7fdf8540000">Birthright Is Resuming Its Free Trips to Israel for the First Time Since October 7</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2022-11-23/ty-article-opinion/.premium/birthright-israel-the-problem-is-reality-not-money/00000184-a5aa-df61-ab85-bdee84ae0000">Haaretz Editorial: Birthright Israel: The Problem Is Reality, Not Money</a>

 'Birthright is tone-deaf': Why many young Jews don’t want their free trip to Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dropped a bombshell in a recent interview when he declared he had told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel no longer needed a long-term commitment from the U.S. for military aid, and that he planned to “taper off” the $3.8 billion Israel now receives to “zero” within ten years. 

On the Haaretz Podcast, Washington correspondent Ben Samuels and senior defense analyst Amos Harel discuss the implications of Netanyahu’s announcement and the circumstances behind it. 

Both say it is clear that Trump had signaled that aid would be significantly reduced, and that Netanyahu’s announcement was intended to avoid the appearance that the cuts were being forced on Israel. 

“Netanyahu did not have much choice. I think this is something that Trump expected him to do,” Harel said. “It was bound to happen, and it was better for Netanyahu to appear as if he's the one who initiated it.” 

Samuels noted that both Republicans and Democrats – for different reasons – were questioning the level of aid Israel receives, despite the fact that the majority of the billions in assistance are spent on weapons purchased from U.S. manufacturers.

Looking ahead, Samuels discussed potential “cognitive dissonance” for pro-Israel lobbying organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as they grapple with a future in which substantial military aid will no longer be part of the equation of when it comes to U.S. support for the Jewish state.

“Supporters of AIPAC have treated military aid as this sacrosanct thing - saying that if you dare question it, then you are not only in support of endangering Israeli lives, but it makes you borderline antisemitic,” Samuels said. “How are they now going to just turn around and flip the script and say: ‘You know what? You're right. We don't need U.S. military assistance to Israel.’” 

Read more: 

Top GOP Senator Urges Halt to U.S. Military Aid After Netanyahu Says Israel Aims to End Reliance Within Decade

On Ending U.S. Military Aid to Israel, Netanyahu Is Trying to Spin His Failure as Success

Today Marks the End of an Era for pro-Israel Democrats – and for AIPAC

It Didn't End Well for Sparta, and It Won't for Israel Either

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dropped a bombshell in a recent interview when he declared he had told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel no longer needed a long-term commitment from the U.S. for military aid, and that he planned to &ldquo;taper off&rdquo; the $3.8 billion Israel now receives to &ldquo;zero&rdquo; within ten years.&nbsp;
On the Haaretz Podcast, Washington correspondent Ben Samuels and senior defense analyst Amos Harel discuss the implications of Netanyahu&rsquo;s announcement and the circumstances behind it.&nbsp;
Both say it is clear that Trump had signaled that aid would be significantly reduced, and that Netanyahu&rsquo;s announcement was intended to avoid the appearance that the cuts were being forced on Israel.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Netanyahu did not have much choice. I think this is something that Trump expected him to do,&rdquo; Harel said. &ldquo;It was bound to happen, and it was better for Netanyahu to appear as if he's the one who initiated it.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Samuels noted that both Republicans and Democrats &ndash; for different reasons &ndash; were questioning the level of aid Israel receives, despite the fact that the majority of the billions in assistance are spent on weapons purchased from U.S. manufacturers.
Looking ahead, Samuels discussed potential &ldquo;cognitive dissonance&rdquo; for pro-Israel lobbying organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as they grapple with a future in which substantial military aid will no longer be part of the equation of when it comes to U.S. support for the Jewish state.
&ldquo;Supporters of AIPAC have treated military aid as this sacrosanct thing - saying that if you dare question it, then you are not only in support of endangering Israeli lives, but it makes you borderline antisemitic,&rdquo; Samuels said. &ldquo;How are they now going to just turn around and flip the script and say: &lsquo;You know what? You're right. We don't need U.S. military assistance to Israel.&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-09/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-says-he-aims-to-end-israeli-reliance-on-u-s-military-aid-in-next-ten-years/0000019b-a475-dd39-a7ff-ef7f63a10000">Top GOP Senator Urges Halt to U.S. Military Aid After Netanyahu Says Israel Aims to End Reliance Within Decade</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-12/ty-article/.premium/on-ending-u-s-military-aid-to-israel-netanyahu-is-trying-to-spin-his-failure-as-success/0000019b-b1d3-d2d7-a79b-fbd704920000">On Ending U.S. Military Aid to Israel, Netanyahu Is Trying to Spin His Failure as Success</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/haaretz-today/2026-01-08/ty-article/.highlight/the-old-guard-of-pro-israel-democrats-is-a-dying-breed-with-no-logical-successor/0000019b-9ec2-dd39-a7ff-fffa594a0000">Today Marks the End of an Era for pro-Israel Democrats &ndash; and for AIPAC</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-09-16/ty-article/.premium/it-didnt-end-well-for-sparta-and-it-wont-for-israel-either/00000199-524c-d184-afff-767c841f0000">It Didn't End Well for Sparta, and It Won't for Israel Either</a>
&nbsp;

AIPAC's worst nightmare? Why Netanyahu said Israel doesn't want U.S. military aid

Once again, Iranians have taken to the streets. Starting in late December, the plummeting value of the national currency, along with the soaring cost of living, were the catalyst for a fresh wave of protest – and one that soon turned political. 

Although the government has been quick to crack down on the demonstrations, the regime has been dealt some heavy blows in the past year, and analysts are pondering whether this could be the movement that ends the ayatollahs’ reign for good. 

Haaretz reporter Linda Dayan was joined by Arash Azizi, lecturer at Yale University and author of "What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom" and "The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the U.S., and Iran's Global Ambitions” to talk about these protests, and what they mean for Iran, for Israel, for the region and for the world. 

“In some of the previous protests, there was always a mix of hope and anger,” explains Azizi. “This time, there’s a lot more anger, because people know that they want an end to this regime, but they can’t find an easy path… there’s a lot more despondency and desperation.” 

Azizi explains that one of the key obstacles in realizing this aspiration is Iran’s fractured would-be opposition, including the ousted Shah’s son Reza Pahlavi, who’s found support from some Israeli lawmakers. The protesters “don’t have a disciplined political leadership that you need to bring about that kind of change,” Azizi says. Iran’s developments will likely “have the color of a coup, perhaps even more than a revolution” – and be led by figures currently inside the regime. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has also warned the Iranian regime against violently repressing the protests. The ouster of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela – a key Iranian ally – by U.S. forces “was a reminder to the Iranians that Trump is not bluffing, and that he could take action against them,” notes Azizi.

 “The idea that Trump would assassinate Khamenei, let’s say, with the help of Israel would have been unthinkable a few years ago… now, it’s really a possibility.” 

Read more:

At Least 35 Killed, 1,200 Detained in Iran Protests as Threat of U.S. Intervention Looms

Analysis by Zvi Bar'el | Why Trump's Venezuela Playbook Won't Work in Iran

Israeli Officials Warn Iran May Strike Across the Middle East to Quell Protests

Analysis by Ben Samuels | What Trump's Attack on Venezuela Means for Iran and MAGA Isolationists

The Israeli Influence Operation Aiming to Install Reza Pahlavi as Shah of Iran

Once again, Iranians have taken to the streets. Starting in late December, the plummeting value of the national currency, along with the soaring cost of living, were the catalyst for a fresh wave of protest &ndash; and one that soon turned political.&nbsp;
Although the government has been quick to crack down on the demonstrations, the regime has been dealt some heavy blows in the past year, and analysts are pondering whether this could be the movement that ends the ayatollahs&rsquo; reign for good.&nbsp;
Haaretz reporter Linda Dayan was joined by Arash Azizi, lecturer at Yale University and author of "What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom" and "The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the U.S., and Iran's Global Ambitions&rdquo; to talk about these protests, and what they mean for Iran, for Israel, for the region and for the world.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In some of the previous protests, there was always a mix of hope and anger,&rdquo; explains Azizi. &ldquo;This time, there&rsquo;s a lot more anger, because people know that they want an end to this regime, but they can&rsquo;t find an easy path&hellip; there&rsquo;s a lot more despondency and desperation.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Azizi explains that one of the key obstacles in realizing this aspiration is Iran&rsquo;s fractured would-be opposition, including the ousted Shah&rsquo;s son Reza Pahlavi, who&rsquo;s found support from some Israeli lawmakers. The protesters &ldquo;don&rsquo;t have a disciplined political leadership that you need to bring about that kind of change,&rdquo; Azizi says. Iran&rsquo;s developments will likely &ldquo;have the color of a coup, perhaps even more than a revolution&rdquo; &ndash; and be led by figures currently inside the regime.&nbsp;
U.S. President Donald Trump has also warned the Iranian regime against violently repressing the protests. The ouster of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela &ndash; a key Iranian ally &ndash; by U.S. forces &ldquo;was a reminder to the Iranians that Trump is not bluffing, and that he could take action against them,&rdquo; notes Azizi.
&nbsp;&ldquo;The idea that Trump would assassinate Khamenei, let&rsquo;s say, with the help of Israel would have been unthinkable a few years ago&hellip; now, it&rsquo;s really a possibility.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/2026-01-06/ty-article/at-least-35-killed-1-200-detained-in-iran-protests-as-threat-of-u-s-intervention-looms/0000019b-9326-d01b-a7db-973e856e0000">At Least 35 Killed, 1,200 Detained in Iran Protests as Threat of U.S. Intervention Looms</a>
Analysis by Zvi Bar'el |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2026-01-04/ty-article/.premium/why-trumps-venezuela-playbook-wont-work-in-iran-and-could-spark-civil-war/0000019b-880b-d019-a9df-afaf41c90000">Why Trump's Venezuela Playbook Won't Work in Iran</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-04/ty-article/.premium/israeli-officials-warn-iran-may-launch-regional-strikes-to-quell-protests/0000019b-8868-dd73-abff-9aecbf060000">Israeli Officials Warn Iran May Strike Across the Middle East to Quell Protests</a>
Analysis by Ben Samuels | <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2026-01-04/ty-article/.premium/what-trumps-attack-on-venezuela-means-for-iran-and-maga-isolationists/0000019b-8913-dbf4-a79f-995b23e30000">What Trump's Attack on Venezuela Means for Iran and MAGA Isolationists</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2025-10-03/ty-article-magazine/.premium/the-israeli-influence-operation-in-iran-pushing-to-reinstate-the-shah-monarchy/00000199-9f12-df33-a5dd-9f770d7a0000">The Israeli Influence Operation Aiming to Install Reza Pahlavi as Shah of Iran</a>

From Hamas captivity to recovery: the long road ahead for Israel's freed hostages

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