Host Simon Spungin and Haaretz columnist Allison Kaplan Sommer discuss the latest escalation between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, which comes on the eve of Ramadan and just days before Israel celebrates Independence Day.

And, with guests arriving in Tel Aviv for the Eurovision Song Contest, we ask: Is Hamas merely blackmailing Israel? Will Netanyahu allow Israel's south to be bombarded with rockets while Tel Aviv parties? And why has no one on the Israeli side got a coherent plan for Gaza?

Host <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/WRITER-1.4968283">Simon Spungin</a> and Haaretz columnist <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/WRITER-1.4969038">Allison Kaplan Sommer</a> discuss <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/430-gaza-rockets-fired-at-israel-one-israeli-dead-six-palestinians-said-killed-1.7199036">the latest escalation</a> between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, which comes on the eve of <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/MAGAZINE-when-is-ramadan-2019-what-is-ramadan-saudi-turkey-jerusalem-1.5372863">Ramadan</a> and just days before Israel celebrates Independence Day.
And, with guests arriving in Tel Aviv for the <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/eurovision">Eurovision Song Contest</a>, we ask: Is Hamas merely <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-netanyahu-can-no-longer-pacify-gaza-with-qatari-cash-and-empty-promises-1.7200601">blackmailing</a> Israel? Will Netanyahu allow Israel's south to be bombarded with rockets while <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-no-restraint-will-be-shown-in-gaza-because-of-eurovision-ministers-say-1.7200368">Tel Aviv parties</a>? And why has no one on the Israeli side got a <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/tags/TAG-Benny-Gantz-1.6806259">coherent plan for Gaza</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.

Netanyahu fiddles while Gaza – and Israel's south – burn

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire not to "get stuck" in Middle East conflict and clearly wants to avoid a renewal of full-on war with Iran – but he may not have a choice, Haaretz senior analyst Amos Harel told the Haaretz Podcast.

"The Iranians are not playing ball. They're not willing to make the concessions he's demanding," Harel said. "Under these circumstances, he may be pushed into a corner" and resume strikes on Iranian targets.

It is a scenario that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clearly desires, Harel said, but it isn't clear whether Trump will include Israel directly in the offensive if it returns to striking Iran. The Israeli military is, he notes, on "high alert."

On the podcast, Harel speaks to host Allison Kaplan Sommer about the "fake cease-fires" in Israel's multiple fronts – where agreements exist on paper, but attacks and drone strikes continue – in Gaza, between Iran and the Gulf states, and between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In Lebanon, he noted, the number of IDF and Lebanese casualties – the latter of which recently passed 3,000 – are "massive" considering that there is no full-scale war officially raging and a recently renewed cease-fire agreement is supposed to be in place.

"We're shedding blood there, and this is not going anywhere positive soon," Harel said. "It all goes back to the fact that Netanyahu time and time again insists on not initiating any kind of diplomatic solution after the guns go silent."

"After operational success is achieved, he always refuses because of his political situation and refuses to undertake any kind of serious negotiations with the other side."

Read more:

Trump Says He Paused Attack on Iran, Signals Nuclear Deal May Be Possible

Analysis by Amos Harel: As Trump Hesitates With Iran, Israel Acts as if Return of War Inevitable

Unmoved by Trump's Ticking Clock, Iran Forms a New Reality in the Persian Gulf

Israeli Soldiers in Lebanon Complain of Risky, Pointless Missions in Broad Daylight

Israel and Hezbollah Trade Fire Across Lebanon Border Despite Cease-fire Extension

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire not to "get stuck" in Middle East conflict and clearly wants to avoid a renewal of full-on war with Iran &ndash; but he may not have a choice, Haaretz senior analyst Amos Harel told the Haaretz Podcast.
"The Iranians are not playing ball. They're not willing to make the concessions he's demanding," Harel said. "Under these circumstances, he may be pushed into a corner" and resume strikes on Iranian targets.
It is a scenario that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clearly desires, Harel said, but it isn't clear whether Trump will include Israel directly in the offensive if it returns to striking Iran. The Israeli military is, he notes, on "high alert."
On the podcast, Harel speaks to host Allison Kaplan Sommer about the "fake cease-fires" in Israel's multiple fronts &ndash; where agreements exist on paper, but attacks and drone strikes continue &ndash; in Gaza, between Iran and the Gulf states, and between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In Lebanon, he noted, the number of IDF and Lebanese casualties &ndash; the latter of which recently passed 3,000 &ndash; are "massive" considering that there is no full-scale war officially raging and a recently renewed cease-fire agreement is supposed to be in place.
"We're shedding blood there, and this is not going anywhere positive soon," Harel said. "It all goes back to the fact that Netanyahu time and time again insists on not initiating any kind of diplomatic solution after the guns go silent."
"After operational success is achieved, he always refuses because of his political situation and refuses to undertake any kind of serious negotiations with the other side."
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/2026-05-18/ty-article/iranian-official-u-s-shows-flexibility-on-irans-nuclear-program-in-talks/0000019e-3c2c-d5a4-afde-7ebfeae80000">Trump Says He Paused Attack on Iran, Signals Nuclear Deal May Be Possible</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/2026-05-18/ty-article/.premium/as-trump-hesitates-israel-prepares-for-renewed-iran-strikes/0000019e-3797-d0ff-afbe-77d7af7a0000">Analysis by Amos Harel: As Trump Hesitates With Iran, Israel Acts as if Return of War Inevitable</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2026-05-19/ty-article/.premium/unmoved-by-trumps-threats-iran-creates-a-new-reality-in-the-persian-gulf/0000019e-3d45-d104-abde-fdcfd0170000">Unmoved by Trump's Ticking Clock, Iran Forms a New Reality in the Persian Gulf</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-05-19/ty-article/.premium/idf-soldiers-in-lebanon-complain-of-risky-pointless-missions-in-broad-daylight/0000019e-3cbe-df7e-a5be-3eff1fef0000">Israeli Soldiers in Lebanon Complain of Risky, Pointless Missions in Broad Daylight</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/lebanonnews/2026-05-17/ty-article/.premium/israel-and-hezbollah-trade-fire-across-border-despite-cease-fire-extension/0000019e-3577-d26f-a39e-b7ffd3d80000">Israel and Hezbollah Trade Fire Across Lebanon Border Despite Cease-fire Extension</a>

Back to full-on war with Iran? Amos Harel on Trump’s dilemma and Netanyahu’s desire 

On a special edition of the Haaretz Podcast celebrating its 500th episode, host Allison Kaplan Sommer speaks to iconic Israeli musician David Broza – the composer of "Things Will Be Better," one of Israel’s best-known peace anthems – on performing in a time of war, chaos and despair in his country.

“There’s no rationale to being Israeli,” Broza, 70, said on the podcast. "My mission is to exist as an artist and to be very much aware of where I come from and not just leave it behind and shy away from it."

Broza describes himself as being “sad but hopeful,” adding that he “would have to stop singing if I wasn’t hopeful.” Having lived in Francoist Spain in his youth, he observed that how "in fascist governments, the artists are the first ones to be burnt, banned, thrown out... And yet you can't erase the art. We need strength now. We need songs. We need art."

Broza’s music crosses cultures and genres – fusing Spanish guitar with contemporary rock and folk music, and emphasizing themes of peace and social justice. He has collaborated widely with top artists including Paul Simon, Sting, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan – and with Palestinian artists.

His belief in art to overcome conflict puts him at odds with advocates of boycotts.

"I am so adamantly anti-boycott that you can't even believe it. BDS is such a lie. It's bullshit," he declared on the podcast. "Boycott will put an end to any hope for future collaboration. If we stop talking to each other, if we do not communicate with each other, we will never step over the threshold."

At the same time, he added, "I don't disregard what's going on. I don't disregard the ultra right-wing government we have here, or the crazy government in America." But his role, he said, is clear – to play the role of the troubadour and sing “to anyone, settlers or leftists.”

On a special edition of the Haaretz Podcast celebrating its 500th episode, host Allison Kaplan Sommer speaks to iconic Israeli musician David Broza &ndash; the composer of "Things Will Be Better," one of Israel&rsquo;s best-known peace anthems &ndash; on performing in a time of war, chaos and despair in his country.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no rationale to being Israeli,&rdquo; Broza, 70, said on the podcast. "My mission is to exist as an artist and to be very much aware of where I come from and not just leave it behind and shy away from it."
Broza describes himself as being &ldquo;sad but hopeful,&rdquo; adding that he &ldquo;would have to stop singing if I wasn&rsquo;t hopeful.&rdquo; Having lived in Francoist Spain in his youth, he observed that how "in fascist governments, the artists are the first ones to be burnt, banned, thrown out... And yet you can't erase the art. We need strength now. We need songs. We need art."
Broza&rsquo;s music crosses cultures and genres &ndash; fusing Spanish guitar with contemporary rock and folk music, and emphasizing themes of peace and social justice. He has collaborated widely with top artists including Paul Simon, Sting, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan &ndash; and with Palestinian artists.
His belief in art to overcome conflict puts him at odds with advocates of boycotts.
"I am so adamantly anti-boycott that you can't even believe it. BDS is such a lie. It's bullshit," he declared on the podcast. "Boycott will put an end to any hope for future collaboration. If we stop talking to each other, if we do not communicate with each other, we will never step over the threshold."
At the same time, he added, "I don't disregard what's going on. I don't disregard the ultra right-wing government we have here, or the crazy government in America." But his role, he said, is clear &ndash; to play the role of the troubadour and sing &ldquo;to anyone, settlers or leftists.&rdquo;

'BDS is a scam': Why Israeli music icon David Broza still believes in the power of art

Jews in the United Kingdom watched voters in their country gravitate to parties on the extreme right and left in the country’s local elections – following a campaign where antisemitism was used as a political football, and controversies over the government’s relationship with Israel, pro-Palestinian protests and free speech factored into voting. 

On the Haaretz Podcast, London-based correspondent Hagar Shezaf and senior analyst Esther Solomon discuss the impact of the results, which have been described as an “earthquake” for its rejection of the Labour Party led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

While covering the campaign, Shezaf said, she encountered a voter who told her “I voted for Labour my whole life. I won't be doing that anymore because of Gaza and Iran.”

The surge in support for the far-right anti-immigrant Reform U.K. party, Solomon observed, “leaves Jews in a very, very difficult position” as the party and its leader, Brexit architect Nigel Farage, made multiple bids for Jewish support during the campaign – including in the aftermath of the stabbing attacks in the Jewish neighborhood of Golders Green on April 29.

“Reform really wanted to put over the message that it was there to ‘look after’ the Jews – by cracking down on what it calls an invasion of migrants … and on the Muslim community of the U.K. … but it’s not just about protecting the Jews. It's putting them up on a pedestal in order to stamp on all sorts of other minorities.” 

On the left, Solomon said the newly resurgent Green Party – led by leader Zack Polanski – “were not willing to really confront the issue of antisemitism, and constantly tried and deflect to the idea that is all about their criticism of Israel, and that they refuse to be silenced.”

Read more:

Analysis by Esther Solomon on Britain's Nationalist Surge: It's Not Only Reform's Farage That Disunites the Kingdom

How Antisemitism Can Push British Jews Into the Arms of Farage and the Far Right

Cheers for Reform, Boos for Labour: 5,000 U.K. Jews and Allies Rally in London Against 'Poisonous' Antisemitism

'No Longer Safe to Be Visibly Jewish': After Stabbing Spree, Some British Jews Say It's a Matter of When They Leave, Not If

U.K. Greens' Zack Polanski Discourages 'Globalize the Intifada' Phrase but Opposes Policing It

U.K. Greens' Polanski Slams Starmer for 'Weaponizing' Antisemitism After PM's Rebuke

Jews in the United Kingdom watched voters in their country gravitate to parties on the extreme right and left in the country&rsquo;s local elections &ndash; following a campaign where antisemitism was used as a political football, and controversies over the government&rsquo;s relationship with Israel, pro-Palestinian protests and free speech factored into voting.&nbsp;
On the Haaretz Podcast, London-based correspondent Hagar Shezaf and senior analyst Esther Solomon discuss the impact of the results, which have been described as an &ldquo;earthquake&rdquo; for its rejection of the Labour Party led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
While covering the campaign, Shezaf said, she encountered a voter who told her &ldquo;I voted for Labour my whole life. I won't be doing that anymore because of Gaza and Iran.&rdquo;
The surge in support for the far-right anti-immigrant Reform U.K. party, Solomon observed, &ldquo;leaves Jews in a very, very difficult position&rdquo; as the party and its leader, Brexit architect Nigel Farage, made multiple bids for Jewish support during the campaign &ndash; including in the aftermath of the stabbing attacks in the Jewish neighborhood of Golders Green on April 29.
&ldquo;Reform really wanted to put over the message that it was there to &lsquo;look after&rsquo; the Jews &ndash; by cracking down on what it calls an invasion of migrants &hellip; and on the Muslim community of the U.K. &hellip; but it&rsquo;s not just about protecting the Jews. It's putting them up on a pedestal in order to stamp on all sorts of other minorities.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On the left, Solomon said the newly resurgent Green Party &ndash; led by leader Zack Polanski &ndash; &ldquo;were not willing to really confront the issue of antisemitism, and constantly tried and deflect to the idea that is all about their criticism of Israel, and that they refuse to be silenced.&rdquo;
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-05-10/ty-article-magazine/.premium/britains-nationalist-surge-its-not-just-farage-that-disunites-the-kingdom/0000019e-11a9-d73c-a99e-dffbb4a40000">Analysis by Esther Solomon on Britain's Nationalist Surge:&nbsp;It's Not Only Reform's Farage That Disunites the Kingdom</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-05-07/ty-article-magazine/.premium/british-election-will-antisemitism-push-u-k-jews-to-the-arms-of-the-far-right/0000019e-019f-df19-af9e-07ffced60000">How Antisemitism Can Push British Jews Into the Arms of Farage and the Far Right</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-05-11/ty-article-magazine/.premium/in-london-5-000-u-k-jews-and-allies-rally-against-recent-attacks/0000019e-161e-d9c5-a19e-965e0b850000">Cheers for Reform, Boos for Labour: 5,000 U.K. Jews and Allies Rally in London Against 'Poisonous' Antisemitism</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-04-30/ty-article-magazine/.premium/after-stabbing-some-british-jews-say-its-a-matter-of-when-they-leave-not-if/0000019d-de45-d9bc-a5bf-de7f3fe70000">'No Longer Safe to Be Visibly Jewish': After Stabbing Spree, Some British Jews Say It's a Matter of When They Leave, Not If</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2026-05-03/ty-article/u-k-greens-polanski-discourages-globalize-the-intifada-opposes-policing-it/0000019d-eea8-de36-abfd-feaa300c0000">U.K. Greens' Zack Polanski Discourages 'Globalize the Intifada' Phrase but Opposes Policing It</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2026-04-25/ty-article/.premium/u-k-greens-polanski-slams-starmer-for-weaponizing-antisemitism-after-rebuke/0000019d-c136-ded5-abdd-f53e1ede0000">U.K. Greens' Polanski Slams Starmer for 'Weaponizing' Antisemitism After PM's Rebuke</a>

Netanyahu fiddles while Gaza – and Israel's south – burn

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