The enthusiastic reception among the Israeli public for Donald Trump's Gaza takeover plan - that includes emptying the Strip of almost 2 million Palestinians - has offered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political boost that he is likely to take full advantage of.

Haaretz editor-in-chief Aluf Benn said on the Haaretz Podcast that "very sadly, the transfer idea is extremely popular within Israeli Jewish society," though the fear of international condemnation was always there. Now, the fact that the American president himself put the idea of moving Palestinians out of Gaza on the table gives Netanyahu - and other Israelis - the ability to embrace the concept of ethnic cleansing openly.

The enthusiastic reception among the Israeli public for Donald Trump's Gaza takeover plan - that includes emptying the Strip of almost 2 million Palestinians - has offered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political boost that he is likely to take full advantage of.
Haaretz editor-in-chief <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/ty-WRITER/0000017f-da24-d938-a17f-fe2e96f20000">Aluf Benn</a> said on the Haaretz Podcast that "very sadly, the transfer idea is extremely popular within Israeli Jewish society," though the fear of international condemnation was always there. Now, the fact that the American president himself put the idea of moving Palestinians out of Gaza on the table gives Netanyahu - and other Israelis - the ability to embrace the concept of ethnic cleansing openly.

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.

Israel’s embrace of Trump’s Gaza plan is ‘atrocious, unthinkable and morally wrong’

Palestinians in Gaza view a future of rule by U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly inaugurated Board of Peace as representing “another form of occupation” said Haaretz correspondent Nagham Zbeedat, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast.

Zbeedat, who covers Palestinian affairs and the Arab world, said that Trump’s vision of an American-led international stabilization force – intended to replace Hamas after it disarms – is likely to be problematic. 

American “complicity and cooperation with the Israeli army” during the war means that for Palestinians, “the U.S. is the same as Israel. So any government or group that comes from the U.S. will not be welcomed with open arms.”

In the short-term, Zbeedat said, the desperate humanitarian situation means that Gazans will “accept the circumstances that they are put in, as long as there are no more airstrikes, as long as food is on the shelves, and as long as there is water, shelter, clothes coming in, and medical care.” 

But overall, Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere are “not excited” about the Trump plan because of the lack of “any Palestinian presence or voice” at the decision-making level. 

Also on the podcast: Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Liza Rozovsky discusses the challenges ahead for the new Board of Peace – most prominently, the disinterest of major Western European countries in signing on. 

“When you are being squeezed and threatened by the U.S. over Greenland, it is pretty bad timing to be joining a Board of Peace chaired by Trump,” Rozovsky noted. For these countries, “giving up your veto power in the United Nations Security Council and just bowing to Trump is not a very attractive offer.”

Read more: 

Trump's Board of Peace Finds Few Enthusiasts Among Palestinians in Gaza

Israel's Netanyahu to Join Trump's Board of Peace Alongside Saudis, Qatar and Turkey

Trump's Board of Peace Has European States Worried, but Most Refrain From Direct Criticism

Trump's Gaza Board of Peace Aims to Rival UN, Charter Shows

'It Never Ended': As the World Moves On, For Gazans It's War as Usual

Palestinians in Gaza view a future of rule by U.S. President Donald Trump&rsquo;s newly inaugurated Board of Peace as representing &ldquo;another form of occupation&rdquo; said Haaretz correspondent Nagham Zbeedat, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast.
Zbeedat, who covers Palestinian affairs and the Arab world, said that Trump&rsquo;s vision of an American-led international stabilization force &ndash; intended to replace Hamas after it disarms &ndash; is likely to be problematic.&nbsp;
American &ldquo;complicity and cooperation with the Israeli army&rdquo; during the war means that for Palestinians, &ldquo;the U.S. is the same as Israel. So any government or group that comes from the U.S. will not be welcomed with open arms.&rdquo;
In the short-term, Zbeedat said, the desperate humanitarian situation means that Gazans will &ldquo;accept the circumstances that they are put in, as long as there are no more airstrikes, as long as food is on the shelves, and as long as there is water, shelter, clothes coming in, and medical care.&rdquo;&nbsp;
But overall, Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere are &ldquo;not excited&rdquo; about the Trump plan because of the lack of &ldquo;any Palestinian presence or voice&rdquo; at the decision-making level.&nbsp;
Also on the podcast: Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Liza Rozovsky discusses the challenges ahead for the new Board of Peace &ndash; most prominently, the disinterest of major Western European countries in signing on.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When you are being squeezed and threatened by the U.S. over Greenland, it is pretty bad timing to be joining a Board of Peace chaired by Trump,&rdquo; Rozovsky noted. For these countries, &ldquo;giving up your veto power in the United Nations Security Council and just bowing to Trump is not a very attractive offer.&rdquo;
Read more:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2026-01-18/ty-article/.premium/trumps-board-of-peace-finds-few-enthusiasts-among-palestinians-in-gaza/0000019b-d1c7-d54e-a3db-f7e7dd7c0000">Trump's Board of Peace Finds Few Enthusiasts Among Palestinians in Gaza</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-21/ty-article/.premium/israels-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-to-join-trumps-board-of-peace/0000019b-df4b-d4bb-a1fb-ffdbe1190000">Israel's Netanyahu to Join Trump's Board of Peace Alongside Saudis, Qatar and Turkey</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-20/ty-article/.premium/trumps-board-of-peace-has-european-states-worried-but-most-refrain-from-direct-criticism/0000019b-d7eb-d2f8-af9b-f7fb32590000">Trump's Board of Peace Has European States Worried, but Most Refrain From Direct Criticism</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/2026-01-17/ty-article/.premium/trumps-proposed-gaza-board-of-peace-aims-to-rival-un-charter-suggests/0000019b-cb7f-d810-a99f-dbff6b830000">Trump's Gaza Board of Peace Aims to Rival UN, Charter Shows</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/gaza/2026-01-12/ty-article-magazine/.premium/it-never-ended-as-the-world-moves-on-for-gazans-its-war-as-usual/0000019b-9df9-dd67-a9ff-9ffb34900000">'It Never Ended': As the World Moves On,&nbsp;For Gazans It's War as Usual</a>

Why Palestinians in Gaza see Trump's Board of Peace as 'another form of occupation'

California State Senator Scott Wiener, the frontrunner for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat, insisted on the Haaretz Podcast that his change of heart regarding whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide did not represent a political flip-flop.

In early January, Wiener faced an angry audience at a candidate’s forum, in which he debated his two rivals in the California Democratic primary to replace retiring Representative Pelosi. In a lightning round question, Wiener was asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the question of whether Israel was "committing genocide in Gaza." His rivals answered “yes” while Wiener refused to respond, prompting boos and jeers. Shortly afterwards, he released a video in which he clarified that he did believe Israel’s actions in Gaza should be defined as genocide. 

On the podcast, Wiener said that in the past, “I've used very, very stark language that, frankly, has not been particularly different from genocide. I chose not to use the word genocide for a variety of reasons, because, it has been weaponized against Israel and against Jews over time.”

Wiener also responded to the harsh backlash from the Jewish community following the release of the video. Wiener, the co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, said he “respects and honors” why the Jewish community feels “hurt and betrayed” by his word choice. “I also believe that we have a responsibility to call this what I believe it is,” he said.

He pointed to the Quinnipiac poll published in August in which half of Americans defined Israel’s actions as a genocide and noted that it will likely be officially declared as such by the International Court of Justice. “The institutional Jewish community in this country has not grappled with that reality.”

Read more:

Jewish California Congressional Hopeful Says Israel Committed Genocide in Gaza, After Earlier Refusal to Do So

Half of Registered U.S. Voters Say Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza, Poll Finds

California Governor Gavin Newsom Says Israel's War in Gaza Was Not Genocide, but 'Destruction Broke My Heart'

Analysis | Is It Important to Call Israel's Carnage in Gaza 'Genocide'?

Israel Is Committing Genocide in Gaza, Genocide Scholars' Association Says

California State Senator Scott Wiener, the frontrunner for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi&rsquo;s congressional seat, insisted on the Haaretz Podcast that his change of heart regarding whether Israel&rsquo;s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide did not represent a political flip-flop.
In early January, Wiener faced an angry audience at a candidate&rsquo;s forum, in which he debated his two rivals in the California Democratic primary to replace retiring Representative Pelosi. In a lightning round question, Wiener was asked to answer &ldquo;yes&rdquo; or &ldquo;no&rdquo; to the question of whether Israel was "committing genocide in Gaza." His rivals answered &ldquo;yes&rdquo; while Wiener refused to respond, prompting boos and jeers. Shortly afterwards, he released a video in which he clarified that he did believe Israel&rsquo;s actions in Gaza should be defined as genocide.&nbsp;
On the podcast, Wiener said that in the past, &ldquo;I've used very, very stark language that, frankly, has not been particularly different from genocide. I chose not to use the word genocide for a variety of reasons, because, it has been weaponized against Israel and against Jews over time.&rdquo;
Wiener also responded to the harsh backlash from the Jewish community following the release of the video. Wiener, the co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, said he &ldquo;respects and honors&rdquo; why the Jewish community feels &ldquo;hurt and betrayed&rdquo; by his word choice. &ldquo;I also believe that we have a responsibility to call this what I believe it is,&rdquo; he said.
He pointed to the Quinnipiac poll published in August in which half of Americans defined Israel&rsquo;s actions as a genocide and noted that it will likely be officially declared as such by the International Court of Justice. &ldquo;The institutional Jewish community in this country has not grappled with that reality.&rdquo;
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2026-01-12/ty-article/.premium/jewish-congressional-hopeful-says-israel-committed-genocide-in-gaza-after-earlier-refusal/0000019b-b28e-da2a-abdf-fabf5d590000">Jewish California Congressional Hopeful Says Israel Committed Genocide in Gaza, After Earlier Refusal to Do So</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2025-08-28/ty-article/.premium/half-of-registered-u-s-voters-say-israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza-poll-finds/00000198-f148-d415-a3be-f7fcf5120000">Half of Registered U.S. Voters Say Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza, Poll Finds</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-18/ty-article/.premium/not-a-big-fan-of-bibi-gavin-newsom-says-no-genocide-in-gaza-but-bashes-israels-conduct/0000019b-d223-d2f8-af9b-f3f3dc180000">California Governor Gavin Newsom Says Israel's War in Gaza Was Not Genocide, but 'Destruction Broke My Heart'</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-24/ty-article/.premium/is-it-important-to-call-the-carnage-in-gaza-genocide/00000198-3cc8-dce9-abfd-7feede590000">Analysis | Is It Important to Call Israel's Carnage in Gaza 'Genocide'?</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-09-01/ty-article/.premium/israel-is-committing-genocide-in-gaza-scholars-association-says/00000199-050c-d0d6-af9b-0dee50dc0000">Israel Is Committing Genocide in Gaza, Genocide Scholars' Association Says</a>

'Israel has committed genocide in Gaza': California Democrat Scott Wiener on his controversial U-turn

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>

Israel’s embrace of Trump’s Gaza plan is ‘atrocious, unthinkable and morally wrong’

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