Host Simon Spungin is joined by Haaretz's Amira Hass to discuss the recent demonstrations in the Palestinian territories and the Palestinian Authority's violent repression of those protests. We ask: What role does the Israeli occupation play in Mahmoud Abbas' ability to crush dissent? How is the Palestinian national struggle also a struggle for democracy? And why are Palestinian security forces targeting women?

Host Simon Spungin is joined by Haaretz's <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/WRITER-1.4968114">Amira Hass</a> to discuss the<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-confident-of-support-from-the-west-the-pa-suppresses-protests-violently-1.9946744"> recent demonstrations</a> in the Palestinian territories and the Palestinian Authority's <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-death-of-an-abbas-opponent-in-palestinian-detention-stokes-revulsion-toward-his-rule-1.9941098">violent repression</a> of those protests. We ask: What role does the Israeli occupation play in Mahmoud Abbas' ability to crush dissent? How is the Palestinian national struggle also a struggle for democracy? And why are Palestinian security forces <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-as-palestinians-protest-death-of-an-abbas-opponent-women-are-assaulted-in-response-1.9966244">targeting women</a>?

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.

How Israel, Fatah and the PA join forces to silence Palestinian protest: LISTEN to Amira Hass

This week, President Isaac Herzog declared that the record-high homicide rate in Israel’s Arab sector constitutes a “national emergency.” But according to Knesset member Aida Touma-Sliman, the organized crime groups behind the violence in Israel thrive because “this is a policy conducted by the government.” 

“Crime groups are their subcontractor for the destruction of our society, making us terrorized individuals looking only to live their lives quietly. When you are struggling for the basic right to live, you forget all about struggling for other political, economic and social rights,” Touma-Sliman said.

She noted that only 10 percent of the murders of Arabs are solved – down from 40 percent under past governments – and in stark contrast with the Jewish sector, in which a vast majority of cases are closed. “A very bad message is being sent by the police to the murderers and criminals: that you can do whatever you want and nobody will touch you as long as it remains among the Arabs,” she said.

Touma-Sliman said she was convinced that if National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir believed that the stashes of deadly weapons in the hands of Arab crime organizations were to be used against Jews, “he would know exactly how to smash them down. But he is not willing to do it, as long as they are only committing crimes among the Arabs. He is enjoying the scene.”

Touma-Sliman also discussed the reunion of the Joint List, the reasons behind her decision not to run in the coming election, and her deep disappointment with Israel’s opposition parties and “so-called left.” 

Opposition leaders “are not supposed to personally replace Netanyahu,” she said. “If you want to be an alternative, be courageous enough to create a different vision for how the citizens of Israel should be living and how Israel should be as a state.”

Read more:

Netanyahu Moves to Pass Off Arab Crime Task Force From PM's Office to Ben-Gvir

MK Aida Touma-Sliman: 'The Knesset Symbolizes Everything I've Fought Against. I Don't Want to Be There. I Want to Fight It'

Analysis: Israeli Arab Leaders at a Crossroads: Will Escalating Protests Fuel Right-wing Incitement?

Explained: What Part Israel's Arab Parties Can Play in Toppling Netanyahu in the 2026 Vote

Poll: Coalition Remains Stable at 51 Seats as Reunited Joint Arab List Surges to 12

This week, President Isaac Herzog declared that the record-high homicide rate in Israel&rsquo;s Arab sector constitutes a &ldquo;national emergency.&rdquo; But according to Knesset member Aida Touma-Sliman, the organized crime groups behind the violence in Israel thrive because &ldquo;this is a policy conducted by the government.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Crime groups are their subcontractor for the destruction of our society, making us terrorized individuals looking only to live their lives quietly. When you are struggling for the basic right to live, you forget all about struggling for other political, economic and social rights,&rdquo; Touma-Sliman said.
She noted that only 10 percent of the murders of Arabs are solved &ndash; down from 40 percent under past governments &ndash; and in stark contrast with the Jewish sector, in which a vast majority of cases are closed. &ldquo;A very bad message is being sent by the police to the murderers and criminals: that you can do whatever you want and nobody will touch you as long as it remains among the Arabs,&rdquo; she said.
Touma-Sliman said she was convinced that if National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir believed that the stashes of deadly weapons in the hands of Arab crime organizations were to be used against Jews, &ldquo;he would know exactly how to smash them down. But he is not willing to do it, as long as they are only committing crimes among the Arabs. He is enjoying the scene.&rdquo;
Touma-Sliman also discussed the reunion of the Joint List, the reasons behind her decision not to run in the coming election, and her deep disappointment with Israel&rsquo;s opposition parties and &ldquo;so-called left.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Opposition leaders &ldquo;are not supposed to personally replace Netanyahu,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;If you want to be an alternative, be courageous enough to create a different vision for how the citizens of Israel should be living and how Israel should be as a state.&rdquo;
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-02-05/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-moves-to-shift-arab-crime-task-force-from-pms-office-to-ben-gvir/0000019c-2d38-d37f-affc-6fb823670000">Netanyahu Moves to Pass Off Arab Crime Task Force From PM's Office to Ben-Gvir</a>
MK Aida Touma-Sliman: <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-11-08/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/the-knesset-embodies-all-ive-fought-against-the-system-cant-be-dismantled-from-within/0000019a-61da-d22e-a39b-6dfa38210000">'The Knesset Symbolizes Everything I've Fought Against. I Don't Want to Be There. I Want to Fight It'</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-02-03/ty-article/.premium/arab-protest-leaders-debate-escalating-actions-while-containing-far-right-backlash/0000019c-229c-d168-afdd-67de38e70000">Analysis:&nbsp;Israeli Arab Leaders at a Crossroads: Will Escalating Protests Fuel Right-wing Incitement?</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-02-01/ty-article-magazine/.premium/what-part-can-israels-arab-parties-play-in-toppling-netanyahu-in-the-2026-vote/0000019b-bcf5-decf-a99f-bffd864c0000">Explained:&nbsp;What Part Israel's Arab Parties Can Play in Toppling Netanyahu in the 2026 Vote</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-01-30/ty-article/.premium/poll-coalition-remains-stable-at-51-seats-as-reunited-joint-list-surges-to-12/0000019c-0dfe-d2fd-a9de-cdfea4790000">Poll: Coalition Remains Stable at 51 Seats as Reunited Joint Arab List Surges to 12</a>

‘Organized crime groups are subcontractors for the Netanyahu government’s destruction of Israel’s Arab society’

With U.S. warships in place positioned around Iran, Israelis are bracing for the regime-toppling attack that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened against Tehran and the government that cracked down so brutally on protesters last month. In response, Iranian leaders warned they would “hit the heart of Tel Aviv” in retaliation to any American offensive. 

However, noted Haaretz senior defense analyst Amos Harel, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast, it seems that Trump “has lost a little bit of his appetite for destruction” in recent days, angling to push a weakened Iran to the negotiating table.

Not only is Trump encouraging a diplomatic solution, Harel said, but “when we talk about negotiations, then there's a difference between what was on the table about a month ago, which was an American demand for more or less destroying the regime, or for the regime to step down and for the democracy to be installed in Iran. Now we're talking about something completely different” – a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities instead. 

“What the president is trying to do is to force the Iranians to agree to major concessions regarding their nuclear project. But it doesn't solve the number one issue for most Iranians: getting rid of the regime.” Harel said. 

Will the Iranian leadership take the deal? Judging from their statements, Harel said, “they are in panic.” 

On the podcast, Harel also assesses the situation in Gaza as the U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal enters its second phase, which took a step forward this week with the opening of the Rafah crossing. The real test of the deal, however, depends on whether the international coalition Trump has built is enough to pressure Hamas to lay down its arms. 

If Hamas’s military capabilities “aren’t dismantled,” Harel said, “it will be hard to proceed.”

Read more:

Report: U.S.-Iran Talks Could Begin Soon; Witkoff to Meet With Netanyahu

Iran's Supreme Leader Warns of Regional Conflict if U.S. Attacks After IDF Chief Visits Washington

Trump 'Hopeful' for Iran Deal, but Warns of 'Very Big, Powerful Ships Heading That Way'

Iran-U.S. Negotiations Are 'Fruitful', Iranian Foreign Minister Tells CNN

Analysis by Amos Harel | Trump Is Determined to Launch Phase Two of His Gaza Plan. The Israeli Government's Last Hope Is That He Fails

With U.S. warships in place positioned around Iran, Israelis are bracing for the regime-toppling attack that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened against Tehran and the government that cracked down so brutally on protesters last month. In response, Iranian leaders warned they would &ldquo;hit the heart of Tel Aviv&rdquo; in retaliation to any American offensive.&nbsp;
However, noted Haaretz senior defense analyst Amos Harel, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast, it seems that Trump &ldquo;has lost a little bit of his appetite for destruction&rdquo; in recent days, angling to push a weakened Iran to the negotiating table.
Not only is Trump encouraging a diplomatic solution, Harel said, but &ldquo;when we talk about negotiations, then there's a difference between what was on the table about a month ago, which was an American demand for more or less destroying the regime, or for the regime to step down and for the democracy to be installed in Iran. Now we're talking about something completely different&rdquo; &ndash; a deal limiting Iran&rsquo;s nuclear capabilities instead.&nbsp;
&ldquo;What the president is trying to do is to force the Iranians to agree to major concessions regarding their nuclear project. But it doesn't solve the number one issue for most Iranians: getting rid of the regime.&rdquo; Harel said.&nbsp;
Will the Iranian leadership take the deal? Judging from their statements, Harel said, &ldquo;they are in panic.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On the podcast, Harel also assesses the situation in Gaza as the U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal enters its second phase, which took a step forward this week with the opening of the Rafah crossing. The real test of the deal, however, depends on whether the international coalition Trump has built is enough to pressure Hamas to lay down its arms.&nbsp;
If Hamas&rsquo;s military capabilities &ldquo;aren&rsquo;t dismantled,&rdquo; Harel said, &ldquo;it will be hard to proceed.&rdquo;
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-02-02/ty-article/report-u-s-iran-talks-could-begin-soon-witkoff-to-meet-with-netanyahu/0000019c-1e63-d899-af9d-ff7f6bcd0000">Report: U.S.-Iran Talks Could Begin Soon; Witkoff to Meet With Netanyahu</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-02-01/ty-article/.premium/irans-supreme-leader-warns-of-regional-conflict-if-u-s-attacks-local-outlet-reports/0000019c-18a4-dae9-abbc-98be1d010000">Iran's Supreme Leader Warns of Regional Conflict if U.S. Attacks After IDF Chief Visits Washington</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/2026-02-01/ty-article/trump-wont-say-if-he-hopes-for-iran-deal-but-there-are-very-big-powerful-ships/0000019c-1aee-dd2c-a39d-daff171a0000">Trump 'Hopeful' for Iran Deal, but Warns of 'Very Big, Powerful Ships Heading That Way'</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/2026-02-01/ty-article/iran-u-s-negotiations-are-fruitful-iranian-foreign-minister-tells-cnn/0000019c-19ea-d2fe-abff-1deee9730000">Iran-U.S. Negotiations Are 'Fruitful', Iranian Foreign Minister Tells CNN</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-01-30/ty-article/.premium/trumps-determined-to-launch-phase-2-of-his-gaza-plan-israels-last-hope-is-that-he-fails/0000019c-0ba6-d2fd-a9de-cfb61a750000">Analysis by Amos Harel | Trump Is Determined to Launch Phase Two of His Gaza Plan. The Israeli Government's Last Hope Is That He Fails</a>

When will a U.S. attack on Iran happen? Amos Harel on Israel's war jitters

For the right-wing populist political leaders who gathered in Jerusalem for the Netanyahu government’s second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism this week, the formula for fighting Jew hatred is simple, according to Haaretz correspondent Linda Dayan, who attended and reported on the two-day event. 

Organized by the Diaspora Affairs Ministry led by far-right Likud MK Amichai Chikli, Dayan tells the Haaretz Podcast that the message of the majority of prominent speakers at the conference is that Jews “have one enemy” – radical Islam –  “and that enemy is propped up by the woke left” with a shared agenda of destroying the West. 

Later on the podcast, Dayan – who has covered the protest movement in Israel for the return of the hostages led by their families since October 7 – reflected on the end of the struggle following the return of the final hostage’s remains earlier this week and the end of the vigil in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. 

The movement, she said, transcended politics; it was a deeper fight to preserve the national ethos of never leaving anyone behind. Dayan explained: “From the very beginning, you would hear in the speeches in the square that this isn't just a battle to return our daughters and sons and parents and grandparents. This is a battle for the values of the country – a battle for the version of the country we want our children to grow up in and we want the next generation to inherit.” 

Read more: 

Global Far Right Flocks to Jerusalem to Bash Muslims and Migration at Israel's Antisemitism Confab

Netanyahu Claims There Is a Progressive/Muslim Plot to 'Destroy the West' at Israeli Government's Antisemitism Conference

Why Charlie Kirk, Fan of Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories, Is Loved by Israel's Government

Tel Aviv Clock Counting Hostages' Captivity Stopped Following Retrieval of Ran Gvili's Body

Ran Gvili, Last Hostage to Be Returned From Gaza, Laid to Rest in Israel

For the right-wing populist political leaders who gathered in Jerusalem for the Netanyahu government&rsquo;s second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism this week, the formula for fighting Jew hatred is simple, according to Haaretz correspondent Linda Dayan, who attended and reported on the two-day event.&nbsp;
Organized by the Diaspora Affairs Ministry led by far-right Likud MK Amichai Chikli, Dayan tells the Haaretz Podcast that the message of the majority of prominent speakers at the conference is that Jews &ldquo;have one enemy&rdquo; &ndash; radical Islam &ndash;&nbsp; &ldquo;and that enemy is propped up by the woke left&rdquo; with a shared agenda of destroying the West.&nbsp;
Later on the podcast, Dayan &ndash; who has covered the protest movement in Israel for the return of the hostages led by their families since October 7 &ndash; reflected on the end of the struggle following the return of the final hostage&rsquo;s remains earlier this week and the end of the vigil in Tel Aviv&rsquo;s Hostage Square.&nbsp;
The movement, she said, transcended politics; it was a deeper fight to preserve the national ethos of never leaving anyone behind. Dayan explained: &ldquo;From the very beginning, you would hear in the speeches in the square that this isn't just a battle to return our daughters and sons and parents and grandparents. This is a battle for the values of the country &ndash; a battle for the version of the country we want our children to grow up in and we want the next generation to inherit.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-01-27/ty-article/.premium/global-far-right-flocks-to-jerusalem-to-bash-muslims-and-migration-at-antisemitism-confab/0000019c-008e-d39f-a5be-3bae35c20000">Global Far Right Flocks to Jerusalem to Bash Muslims and Migration at Israel's Antisemitism Confab</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-01-26/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-claims-progressive-muslim-plot-to-destroy-west-at-israel-antisemitism-confab/0000019b-fbda-dee6-a1ff-ffdba37a0000">Netanyahu Claims There Is a Progressive/Muslim Plot to 'Destroy the West' at Israeli Government's Antisemitism Conference</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/haaretz-today/2026-01-18/ty-article/.highlight/why-charlie-kirk-fan-of-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories-is-loved-by-israels-government/0000019b-d17d-d54e-a3db-f77f34b80000">Why Charlie Kirk, Fan of Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories, Is Loved by Israel's Government</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-01-27/ty-article/.premium/clock-counting-hostages-captivity-stopped-following-ran-gvilis-return-after-843-days/0000019c-0042-d39f-a5be-3be664de0000">Tel Aviv Clock Counting Hostages' Captivity Stopped Following Retrieval of Ran Gvili's Body</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-01-28/ty-article/.premium/ran-gvili-last-hostage-to-be-returned-from-gaza-laid-to-rest-in-israel/0000019c-040f-daca-a1fd-f4cfcaf50000">Ran Gvili, Last Hostage to Be Returned From Gaza, Laid to Rest in Israel</a>

How Israel, Fatah and the PA join forces to silence Palestinian protest: LISTEN to Amira Hass

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