Dina Kraft is a journalist and co-author of the best-seller My Friend Anne Frank. She is Israel Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, former opinion editor at Haaretz English, and co-hosts the podcast Groundwork about Israeli and Palestinian activists. She writes about the impact of conflict on ordinary lives and we focussed on Israel's Arab community.

Dina Kraft&nbsp;is a journalist and co-author of the best-seller&nbsp;My Friend Anne Frank. She is Israel Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, former opinion editor at Haaretz English, and co-hosts the podcast&nbsp;Groundwork about Israeli and Palestinian activists. She writes about the impact of conflict on ordinary lives and we focussed on Israel's Arab community.

Exploring our close links with Israel and delves into the news behind the news and aims to provide detailed analysis of important current political, social and cultural issues to do with Israel. 
In collaboration with experts from all walks of life, who specialise in various aspects of Israel’s political life, arts and culture you can hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, on topics to do with Israelis and their involvements around the world.

News magazine program broadcast weekly on J-AIR radio in Melbourne, Australia

The Israel Connexion

For analysis and insight into important stories about Israel, tune in to The Israel Connexion, hosted by David Schulberg.

In collaboration with experts from all walks of life who specialise in various aspects of Israel’s political life, arts and culture, you will hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, Israelis and their involvements around the world.

For analysis and insight into important stories about Israel, tune in to&nbsp;The Israel Connexion, hosted by&nbsp;David Schulberg.
In collaboration with experts from all walks of life who specialise in various aspects of Israel&rsquo;s political life, arts and culture, you will hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, Israelis and their involvements around the world.

Dina Kraft at Limmud Oz

The Israeli Ambassador Speaks

Coping with the War

Israel's new ambassador to Australia Dr Hillel Newman has hit the ground running and seems determined to give the Australia-Israel relationship a fillip. Today he addressed the National Press Club in Canberra much to the consternation of the Greens and their anti-Israel allies. (0:32-31:00)

Deborah Danan is an Israeli journalist and communications consultant who gives us a sanguine perspective on Israelis coping with having to spend a lot of time in bomb shelters during this current war with Iran, Hezbollah and now the Houthis. (34:07-56:07)

Israel's new ambassador to Australia&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;Hillel Newman&nbsp;has hit the ground running and seems determined to give the Australia-Israel relationship a fillip. Today he addressed the&nbsp;<a href="https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODM0NTgxMzk3NzA3MTc4NTksXCJyXCI6MTgzNDU4MTU2ODU3MjYzMTI5fSIsInMiOiI4ZDI3MWY0ZjQ2ZDAyM2IzIn0" data-link-id="183458139770717859" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">National Press Club</a> in Canberra much to the consternation of the Greens and their anti-Israel allies. (0:32-31:00)
Deborah Danan is an Israeli journalist and communications consultant who gives us a sanguine perspective on Israelis coping with having to spend a lot of time in bomb shelters during this current war with Iran, Hezbollah and now the Houthis. (34:07-56:07)

Israel's Ambassador Speaks (Dr Hillel Newman),  Coping with the War (Deborah Danan)

Israel's Ambassador Speaks,  Coping with the War

ASMEA and SPME held the webinar "The Arab Case for Israel" that was led by Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). He is the author of the book The Arab Case for Israel. He champions immediate, unconditional, and comprehensive peace between every Arab nation and the Jewish state. 

Before the State of Israel emerged, Arab nationalism and Islamism rejected the European-crafted state boundaries in the Middle East, including the concept of Palestine. Instead, these nations aspired to forge a unified Arab or Muslim nation. This grand vision, however, never materialized. The notion of Palestine as a distinct entity emerged in 1964, largely driven by inter-Arab rivalries rather than a historical reality. Since then, Palestinians have cultivated a narrative of a lost state that, in truth, never existed as a sovereign entity. Their collective aspiration for a “return” is less about reclaiming a physical homeland and more about yearning for a time when Israel did not exist. This imagined past fuels a vision that, if realized, risks creating yet another unstable state, given the challenges faced by many Arab nations today, including neighboring Syria and further away Iraq, where peace is always tenuous and civil war haunting these countries and their failing states.

According to Hussain Abdul-Hussain a more pragmatic path forward lies in recognizing Israel’s existence as an opportunity rather than a threat. Israel’s robust economy, technological innovation, and regional influence make it a valuable partner. Arab states that have embraced peace with Israel, such as those in the Abraham Accords, have unlocked significant economic benefits proportional to their level of normalization. These agreements demonstrate that cooperation can yield mutual prosperity, fostering stability and growth across the region.

ASMEA and SPME held the webinar "<a href="https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/ty/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODI3ODk2NjEzNTcyNDU0NTcsXCJyXCI6MTgyNzg5NjcyMTM4NzA0NDgwfSIsInMiOiIwOGFkN2NiZTBiMGNkZTJmIn0" data-link-id="182789661357245457" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">The Arab Case for Israel</a>" that was led by&nbsp;Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD).&nbsp;He is the author of the book&nbsp;<a href="https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/ty/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODI3ODk2NjEzNjE0Mzk3NjIsXCJyXCI6MTgyNzg5NjcyMTM4NzA0NDgwfSIsInMiOiI5OTk2ZjQ4NDA1MDRlOWU2In0" data-link-id="182789661361439762" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">The Arab Case for Israel</a>.&nbsp;He champions immediate, unconditional, and comprehensive peace between every Arab nation and the Jewish state.&nbsp;
Before the State of Israel emerged, Arab nationalism and Islamism rejected the European-crafted state boundaries in the Middle East, including the concept of Palestine. Instead, these nations aspired to forge a unified Arab or Muslim nation. This grand vision, however, never materialized. The notion of Palestine as a distinct entity emerged in 1964, largely driven by inter-Arab rivalries rather than a historical reality. Since then, Palestinians have cultivated a narrative of a lost state that, in truth, never existed as a sovereign entity. Their collective aspiration for a &ldquo;return&rdquo; is less about reclaiming a physical homeland and more about yearning for a time when Israel did not exist. This imagined past fuels a vision that, if realized, risks creating yet another unstable state, given the challenges faced by many Arab nations today, including neighboring Syria and further away Iraq, where peace is always tenuous and civil war haunting these countries and their failing states.
According to Hussain Abdul-Hussain a more pragmatic path forward lies in recognizing Israel&rsquo;s existence as an opportunity rather than a threat. Israel&rsquo;s robust economy, technological innovation, and regional influence make it a valuable partner. Arab states that have embraced peace with Israel, such as those in the Abraham Accords, have unlocked significant economic benefits proportional to their level of normalization. These agreements demonstrate that cooperation can yield mutual prosperity, fostering stability and growth across the region.

The Arab Case For Israel (Hussain-Abdel-Hussain)

The Arab Case for Israel

Iranian Female Soccer Team

Iranian Advocacy

Europe and Iran: Why the Reticence?

The war between the US-Israel alliance and the Islamic Republic of Iran rages on and one facet of it has played out on Australian soil with the case of some of the Iranian female soccer team members who sought asylum in Australia, but under coercion most have changed their minds. I play some commentary about this fiasco from ABC sports commentator Tracey Holmes. (0:39-3:36)

Mahdi Athari is an Iranian who migrated to Australia in 2013. He works for government agencies on large railway projects. He is involved in local community affairs and advocacy within the Iranian diaspora. 

This weekend in Melbourne the Persian community will be celebrating NOWRUZ, the Persian New Year, and this provides an opportunity for our two ancient nations (Iran and Israel) to come together at a special event and celebrate. Booking details are available here. (3:42-17:46)

I play a talk by Olga Deutsch, the VP at NGO Monitor and Senior Fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security on the topic Europe and Iran: Why the Silence? that she recently presented at a MediaCentral briefing. (17:52-40:07)

Repeat of large part of the interview with Senator Sarah Henderson from last week. (40:07-57:32)

The war between the US-Israel alliance and the Islamic Republic of Iran rages on and one facet of it has played out on Australian soil with the case of some of the Iranian female soccer team members who sought asylum in Australia, but under coercion most have changed their minds. I play some commentary about this fiasco from ABC sports commentator Tracey Holmes. (0:39-3:36)
Mahdi Athari is an Iranian who migrated to Australia in 2013. He works for government agencies on large railway projects. He is involved in local community affairs and advocacy within the Iranian diaspora.&nbsp; This weekend in Melbourne the Persian community will be celebrating NOWRUZ, the Persian New Year, and this provides&nbsp;an opportunity for our two ancient nations (Iran and Israel) to come together at a special event and celebrate. Booking details are available&nbsp;<a href="https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tb/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODIyMzE0MTk0Nzg2MDc3NjMsXCJyXCI6MTgyMjMxNDMxNDczMjY4MTA1fSIsInMiOiI4NDdhYjc4MDBiZjgwNGViIn0" data-link-id="182231419478607763" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">here</a>. (3:42-17:46)
I play a talk by&nbsp;Olga Deutsch, the VP at NGO Monitor and Senior Fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security on the topic&nbsp;Europe and Iran: Why the Silence?&nbsp;that she recently presented at a&nbsp;<a href="https://zpdryj.clicks.mlsend.com/tb/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc4NDY5OSxcImxcIjoxODIyMzE0MTk0ODQ4OTkyMjAsXCJyXCI6MTgyMjMxNDMxNDczMjY4MTA1fSIsInMiOiIxODJlODE2NzZhZDQ1MWFjIn0" data-link-id="182231419484899220" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">MediaCentral</a> briefing. (17:52-40:07)
Repeat of large part of the interview with Senator Sarah Henderson from last week. (40:07-57:32)

Iranian Female Soccer Team (Tracey Holmes), Iranian Advocacy (Mahdi Athari), Europe and Iran: Why the Reticence? (Olga Deutsch)

Dina Kraft at Limmud Oz

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