A major incident occurred in Jerusalem involving Israeli security forces entering a French-administered property. Two French security officials with diplomatic status were briefly detained last week after France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was due to visit the compound of The Church of the Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives in occupied East Jerusalem. A French court reversed a government ban on Israeli firms participating in the Euronaval arms show. Macron is proving to be no friend of Israel. (0:34-10:14) Brian Hook served as a top official during the first Trump administration as the US envoy to Iran. He joined CNN's Becky Anderson to discuss what Trump's foreign policy, particularly in regard to the Middle East, will look like. (10:14-21:41) Dr Mordechai Kedar is an Israeli scholar of Arab culture and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University who doesn’t mince his words. We spoke about the Saudi summit on the crisis in Lebanon and Gaza, that has just taken place inRiyadh, where Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince was backing Iran and accusing Israel of genocide. (21:41-38:11) The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations hosted “Stand Together: An Event of Unity, Strength and Resilience,” (38:11-43:36) Jews of Melbourne met in Caulfield Park in Melbourne to be part of a special installation marking a painful milestone: 400 days in captivity for a considerable nuimber of Israeli hostages still in the clutches of Hamas. (43:36-55:09)

Last Friday November 1st was Palestine National Day and the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN), the main organization lobbying for the Palestinian cause in Melbourne had received a $25K grant from the Victorian government  to honour Palestinian culture and heritage in what they said would be a profound act of resilience and resistance. Their supporters were exhorted to come to Federation Square in Melbourne to honour the rich history of Palestine and the unbreakable spirit of the Palestinian people. I had chosen to visit Federation Square to see if APAN were adhering to the requirement that their event not be political.  Aside from one of the participants proclaiming over a loudspeaker the antisemitic catch-cry ‘Palestine will be free from the river to the sea’ the atmosphere was quite different from what one sees at the weekly protest rallies that have been taking place ever since the atrocities of Oct 7th last year. I decided to approach some of the attendees to see what they could tell me about the significance of Palestine National Day. Audio 1 Audio 2 I spoke with a man named Bruce who was manning one of the stalls who said it referred to a day proclaimed in the 1960s and he concurred that the date is supposed to be Nov 15th, but Federation Square had apparently been booked out on that day.  Undaunted I continued my quest to see if anyone attending Palestine National Day could tell me what the day signified. Audio 3 I pressed on and next spoke with a young man who was clearly incensed by what he has been seeing and experiencing. Audio 4 With the next person I spoke to I hit the jackpot. As you just heard I hit the jackpot with the last person with whom I spoke. My point is that pro-Palestinian supporters are largely ignorant of any history that pertains to the Palestinian cause. This has already been made evident in other situations where pro-Palestine supporters have been questioned about their mantra ‘Palestine will be free from the river to the sea’, inquiring as to what river and sea is alluded to there. It is patently obvious that pro-Palestine supporters have been fed a diet of propaganda and know very little about the narrative they espouse. I ask myself - what hope have we as Jews to turn things around and counter Jew-hatred if this is the level of ignorance with which we have to deal?

UNRWA is to be banned from operating in Israel and I speak with MK Sharren Haskel about this move.

I interview Uri Marantz, who directed the film King Khat which is screening at JIFF. This is the complete interview.

Through innovative, virtual reality technology, the 'Galeed' exhibition invites you to explore and remember the events of October 7, 2023, in Israel, capturing the essence of that pivotal day. These memories are collectively experienced in an interactive and meaningful manner, bridging the past, present, and future. This unique experience provides a special opportunity to share memories, foster connections, and preserve them as part of the collective and personal narrative. I speak with Oren Ben-Yosef about this unique installation, which is being deployed and made accessible to communities worldwide. (0:33-19:11) UNRWA is to be banned from operating in Israel and I speak with MK Sharren Haskel about this move. (19:11-35:44) I interview Uri Marantz, who directed the film King Khat which is screening at JIFF. (35:45-47:19) On Friday Nov 1st I visit Federation Square in Melbourne to find out about Palestine National Day.(47:19-57:25)

The full interview with Yael Schlichting, who was born in 1965 in Munich and wasn't brought up Jewish. Her political conscience was kick started in September 1972 following the massacre of the Israeli Olympic team in her home town and after the Yom Kippur war it grew stronger. For a short period she was a member of the Free Democratic Party in Germany, but quit frustrated with its equivocations about freedom. She has left Germany because she doesn't feel safe there, suggesting that freedom is something the vast majority of the Germans don't value. She doesn't vote any more in Germany, as she is profoundly unhappy with every single political party there. We discuss the rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its support for Israel.

I spoke with Yael Schlichting, who was born in 1965 in Munich and wasn't brought up Jewish. Her political conscience was kick started in September 1972 following the massacre of the Israeli Olympic team in her home town and after the Yom Kippur war it grew stronger. For a short period she was a member of the Free Democratic Party in Germany, but quit frustrated with its equivocations about freedom. She has left Germany because she doesn't feel safe there, suggesting that freedom is something the vast majority of the Germans don't value. She doesn't vote any more in Germany, as she is profoundly unhappy with every single political party there. We discuss the rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its support for Israel. (0:36-26:05) I interview Ofer Pinchasov, the director, producer, editor and writer of the film King of the Sephardim, which is about Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, osef who was an Iraqi-born Talmudic scholar, a posek, the SephardiChief Rabbi of Israel from 1973 to 1983, and a founder and long-time spiritual leader of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which is screening at JIFF. (26:12-41:30) Miles Spencer, who co-wrote A Line in the Sand, which captures the essence of the Middle East with a richly detailed historical fiction of two lifelong friends - Magnus and Finn - thrown into a sleuthing adventure, where mysteries of the Middle East and its people are revealed. (41:32-57:12)

The full interview with Shahar Burla, the producer of Pita with Vegemite: An Israeli Australia Story.

The full interview with Alon Daniel the director of 6:30

I started off interviewing Shai Abramson, the chief chazzan of Israel, heralding his coming visit to Australia to participate in the 'We Sing As One' concerts in Melbourne and Sydney. (0:36-18:19) Michelle Blum, the CEO of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in NSW and Qld tells us what to expect from the 5th Annual Australia-Israel Innovation Summit on Oct 30th. (18:19-30:53) As JIFF approaches I talk about a couple of films, 6:30 by director Alon Daniel (30:59-44:23) and Pita with Vegemite: An Israeli Australia Story with producer Shahar Burla (44:23-56:48)

Senator Sarah Henderson is the Shadow Minister for Education and has said that the Albanese government should have had the moral courage to back the Coalition’s judicial inquiry into campus antisemitism. University vice-chancellors and key Jewish groups appeared at the recent senate inquiry into Senator Henderson’s private senator’s bill to establish a judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities. Here is the report that was produced whereby the Labor government decided not to proceed with an inquiry along the lines that has been advocated by Senator Henderson. Social activist and storyteller, writer and community leader, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie is the co-founding spiritual leader of the Lab/Shul community in NYC and creator of the ritual theater company Storahtelling, Inc. Amichai received his rabbinical ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2016, the 39th generation of rabbis in his family — the first one to be openly queer. (0:36-30:38) Rabbi Amichai is the subject of Sabbath Queen, a documentary film directed by Sandi DuBowski, that was 21 years in the making. (30:44-57:16)

A distinguished scholar in North American History at McGill University, currently living in Jerusalem, ProfessorGil Troy is an award-winning American presidential historian and a leading Zionist activist. He is, the editor of the new three-volume set, “Theodor Herzl: Zionist Writings", the inaugural publication of The Library of the Jewish People. He was recently designated one of Algemeiner's J-100, one of the top 100 people "positively influencing Jewish life". His new publication ‘The Essential Guide to October 7th and its Aftermath’ is a 64-page guidebook produced in conjunction with The Jewish People Policy Institute providing facts, figures and some history on the tragedy that befell the Jewish people on that fateful day one year ago. (0:36-33:56) Listeners can also hear some expressions of solidarity and support for our Australian Jewish community that I solicited: the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (formerly the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) led by Dan Diker, its president who was accompanied by Khaled Abu Toameh, an Israeli Arab journalist, lecturer and documentary filmmaker. Abu Toameh writes for The Jerusalem Post and for the New York–based Gatestone Institute, where he is a senior distinguished fellow. (34:26-41:30) Daniel "Danny" Seaman is an Israeli media professional and former civil servant, mainly active in the fields of foreign service and public diplomacy. Danny worked in the Israeli civil service for 31 years (1983-2014). Between 2000-2010, Seaman served as the director of the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), part of the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem responsible for the foreign media contingent in Israel. His last public position was Deputy Director General for Information at the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, where his outspoken views were frequently seen as being controversial. (41:30-43:37) Catherine Perez is the Executive Director of We Believe in Israel which is BICOM's pro-Israel advocacy organization in the United Kingdom where BICOM is the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (43:38-44:42) Yifat Zailer is acousin of Shiri Bibas, one of her relatives Yarden, Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, a young and happy family from Kibbutz Nir Oz, that was kidnapped in its entirety on October 7.(44:42-52:53) Lastly I provide an update on Nine Network's failure to screen the award-winning documentary 'We Will Dance Again' that was expected to air on Oct 7th. (52:53-56:10)

Friendship, love, and freedom—these ideals drew young hearts from around the globe to Nova’s EDM music festival in south Israel. But as the sun rose on October 7th, the fantasy was shattered. Rockets sliced through the sky, and the music cut off. Confusion morphed into terror as gunfire erupted amidst the chaos. Hamas terrorists breached the border fence and unleashed barbarity in its rawest form.  The film is a stark portrayal of the experiences of those who survived and those who didn’t. I interview the director by Yariv Mozer whose film meticulously reconstructs the horrifying events, capturing the raw emotions and heroism that emerged amidst the senseless violence. (0:36-27:17) The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is a civil, volunteer-based organization focused on the safe return of all Israeli citizens held hostage by the terrorist organization Hamas.  Formed less than 24 hours after the horrific Hamas attack on Israeli villages and towns on October 7th, 2023. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has no political affiliation and is focused on bringing loved ones back home by any means necessary through all available channels. The forum includes thousands of volunteers, from the families themselves to senior figures in the security, judicial, communication, advertising, creative, and diplomatic sectors. I will speak with Or Moshe, a representative of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. (27:24-53:42)

Last weekQueensland Senator Paul Scarr participatedon the senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee that is conducting a Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities.  We discuss in detail some of the major outcomes so far with the Jewish community preferring to see a judicial inquiry be established.  The report is scheduled to be tabled in the senate on October 4th. (0:36-31:22) Mike Wagenheim is a politic​al reporter, currently serving as senior U.S. Correspondent for the i24NEWS television network, covering American government, diplomacy, religion, business and culture, all through the lens of the Middle East. ​ Mike is also a correspondent for the Jewish News Syndicate, his work appearing in the JPost, Ynet, Israel Hayom and The Jewish Press, among others.   Mike is currently in New York covering the 79th session of the UN.(31:28-58:06)

Michael Hirsh was the former national editor for the magazine Politico and a former foreign editor, chief diplomatic correspondent, and national economic correspondent for Newsweek. He is a lecturer and has appeared numerous times as a commentator on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, National Public Radio, and is a frequent guest of The Young Turks, a streaming internet political talk show. He is the author of two books: Capital Offense: How Washington’s Wise Men Turned America’s Future Over to Wall Street and At War With Ourselves: Why America Is Squandering Its Chance to Build a Better World. These days he is a regular columnist for Foreign Policy. I caught up with Michael Hirsch to discuss an article he put together for Politico earlier this year titled ‘Arab States Are Giving Palestinians the Cold Shoulder. Here’s Why’ in an interview with the former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. (0:37-32:49) A historic, one night only concert in Melbourne, direct from Israel, starring 'The Chayalim Band and Singers' will be conducted by Israeli maestro Rafi Greidi and will bring together local singers Shimon and Dov Farkas and some local surprises. I speak with the musical director Rafi Greidi in anticipation of a very moving performance. (32:56-54:58)

I catch up once again with Gidi Grinstein, an Israeli societal entrepreneur. He is the founder of the Reut Group, a non-partisan not-for-profit research, strategy and leadership group. We spoke on the eve of "Peace Week", the anniversary of major milestones in Israel's modern history - Oslo, the Abraham Accords and Camp David. My previous extensive interview with Gidi Grinstein can be heard here. This is the full interview with Gidi Grinstein.

The new drive to introduce “Anti-Palestinian Racism” to “equity and inclusivity strategies” throughout a number of Western countries must be a wake-up call. I speak with Shauna Small, a principal of an elementary school in Canada, who has written an article for the ‘Future of Jewish’ newsletter. in which she says that, “Codifying so-called "Anti-Palestinian Racism" in Canada is harming Jewish Canadians and infringing on our rights, liberties, and safety.”

The new drive to introduce “Anti-Palestinian Racism” to “equity and inclusivity strategies” throughout a number of Western countries must be a wake-up call. I speak with Shauna Small, a principal of an elementary school in Canada, who has written an article for the ‘Future of Jewish’ newsletter. in which she says that, “Codifying so-called "Anti-Palestinian Racism" in Canada is harming Jewish Canadians and infringing on our rights, liberties, and safety.”(0:36-32:16) I catch up once again with Gidi Grinstein, an Israeli societal entrepreneur. He is the founder of the Reut Group, a non-partisan not-for-profit research, strategy and leadership group. We spoke on the eve of "Peace Week", the anniversary of major milestones in Israel's modern history - Oslo, the Abraham Accords and Camp David. My previous extensive interview with Gidi Grinstein can be heard here. (32:22-57:25)

Elliott Abrams is senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, DC. He served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor in the administration of President George W. Bush, where he supervised U.S. policy in the Middle East for the White House, and as Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela in the administration of Donald Trump. We will be discussing the US-Israel relationship and what may be the impact of the US presidential elections on that relationship. (0:36-23:27) I will also be talking about the schism in Israel society, between those who are pushing for a ceasefire deal to get the release of the hostages and those who say that Israel must consider foremost its national security. (23:34-56:52)

Catherine Perez is the Executive Director of We Believe in Israel which is BICOM's pro-Israel advocacy organization in the United Kingdom. We Believe in Israel  has been mounting some important campaigns opposing any move by FIFA to ban the Israel Football Association; the resumption of funding to UNRWA; any moves to block arms sales to Israel. (This is the full version of the interview with Catherine Perez)

Catherine Perez is the Executive Director of We Believe in Israel which is BICOM's pro-Israel advocacy organization in the United Kingdom. We Believe in Israel  has been mounting some important campaigns opposing any move by FIFA to ban the Israel Football Association; the resumption of funding to UNRWA; any moves to block arms sales to Israel.   (0:50-33:17) Michael Gencher is the Executive Director of StandWithUs Australia, which has been established as an arm of StandWithUs, an international, non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism. (33:23-56:38)

Dr Gadi Taub is an Israeli historian, author, screenwriter and political commentator. He is a senior lecturer in the School of Public Policy and the Department of Communications at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Taub is also an internationally recognized voice in the discourse on Zionism and illiberalism. I speak with Gadi about the complex political situation in which Israel finds itself today. (0:45-34:26) Tal Rabani is a 3rd year computer science student at Monash University, who has been instrumental in establishing a chapter of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) at Monash. He is joined by Ilan Sinelnikov, a founding member of SSI, which has been growing exponentially in the aftermath of Oct 7th. (34:32-55:21)

Dr Adi Schwartz is an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the Misgav Institute for National Security. He is a research fellow at the Ben-Gurion Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism, and at the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism. Together with Dr. Einat Wilf, he authored the book The War of the Right of Return: The Battle Over the Palestinian Refugee Problem and How Israel Can Win It. We will take a look at the possibilities of the elimination of UNRWA.(0:36-35:15) Celina di Veroli is an undergraduate student, one of maybe 10 Jewish students at the University of Sydney, who braved a very large gathering of students on campus last week, who voted resoundingly for anti-Israel motions. She wrote an extraordinarily expressive article describing her experience at the student meeting. (35:22-55:13)

Professor Dennis Altman is Vice Chancellor's Fellow at LaTrobe University. His most recent books are God Save the Queen: The Strange Persistence of Monarchies, and Death in the Sauna. Professor Altman wrote a response Crying antisemitism drowns out the real problem to an article Lived experience, paranoia and slippery antisemitism written by Deborah Stone, the editor of The Jewish Independent. I invited Professor Altman to dig deeper into his response to Deborah Stone. (0:37-34:37) Gil Hoffman is an Israeli-American journalist and political correspondent who serves as executive director of Honest Reporting. He was previously chief political correspondent for the Jerusalem Post. I caught up with Gil Hoffman to focus on the endeavours of Honest Reporting since Oct 7th. Honest Reporting is an Israeli media advocacy group. A pro-Israel media watchdog, it describes its mission as "combatting ideological prejudice in journalism and the media, as it impacts Israel". (34:44-54:51)

Professor Gregory Rose teaches international law of the sea and maritime regulation and enforcement at the University of Wollongong. He also publishes on the regulation of counter-terrorism and political violence, particularly the handling and transfer in international military operations of detainees and international legal cooperation for law enforcement in the area of national security. I speak with Greg about the recent judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), that has called upon Israel to end the occupation of the so-called Occupied Palestinian Territories including East Jerusalem. (0:36-34:32) J-United is a Melbourne-based grassroots Jewish activist network that has emerged into prominence in the community, in response to the spate of antisemitism that is occurring in our society following the Oct 7th massacre committed by Hamas. I speak with Simonne Whine who is one of founders of J-United.(34:29-

Labor Friends of Israel are dedicated to fostering strong connections between the Australian Labour movement and the state of Israel. Their mission is to promote understanding, and encourage collaboration between Australia and Israel. I speak with co-convenor Mike Kelly on the eve of their official launch after having announced that former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and former Labor Senator Nova Peris have agreed to serve as the inaugural patrons of the national body. (0:39-25:26) Michael Ben-Gad is Professor of Economics, City, University of London.  His research focuses on Dynamic Macroeconomics with applications to taxation, public debt, the economic effects of immigration, national security as well as the emergence of multiple equilibria in models of economic growth and the incorporation of compositional data into econometric models. He has also researched and written widely on defence and national security issues, publishing in a variety of academic journals. He has also been a member of Israel's National Security Forum. (25:32-58:07)

Talking about the plight of the Jews in France is Dr. Dov Maimon, a Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), leading the "Grand Strategy toward Islam" project, the "Israel-Diaspora New Paradigm" project and the Institute's activities in Europe. He is also the author of the action plan for bringing the developing mass migration of French Jews to Israel. Born in Paris, he earned a Ph.D. in Islamic and Medieval Studies from the Sorbonne University. He is a laureate of the prestigious prize "Grand Prix du chancelier des universites 2005" awarded to the best French PhD work in Literature and Human Sciences. Formerly a high-tech industry entrepreneur, Dov is teaching at the School of Business Administration of the Ben Gurion University. The Australian government has been failing to deal with antisemitism. I show the neglect by Labor to carry through with the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and how an ABC radio presenter, who just happens to be Jewish, can be complicit with antisemitism.

Professor Kobi Michael is a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, and a visiting professor at The International Centre for Policing & Security - the University of South Wales UK.  He is also an expert associated with the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy. He served as deputy director general and head of the Palestinian division in the Ministry of Strategic Affairs. He has published 20 books and monographs and more than 100 academic articles and book chapters. We will discuss Israel 2.0, a flagship project of the Misgav Institute, designed to provide grand vision for the State of Israel over the coming decades.

Professor Kobi Michael is a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, and a visiting professor at The International Centre for Policing & Security - the University of South Wales UK.  He is also an expert associated with the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy. He served as deputy director general and head of the Palestinian division in the Ministry of Strategic Affairs. He has published 20 books and monographs and more than 100 academic articles and book chapters. We will discuss Israel 2.0, a flagship project of the Misgav Institute, designed to provide grand vision for the State of Israel over the coming decades. (0:35-29:47) Argentina doesn't often come within our purview in Australia. With all eyes on Israel at the moment we tend to ignore what is going on in other Jewish communities around the world. Argentinian president Javier Milei is showing a strong affinity toward Israel and the Jewish people. Being on the verge of the 30th anniversary of the bombing of their community centre, that has been blamed on Iran, there is much to discuss. I speak with Rabbi Yosi Baumgarten, the grandson of the first emissary of the Lubavitcher rebbe to Argentina Rabbi Berel Baumgarten and Argentinian Jewish community member Silvio Bergman. (29:54-57:57)

Adam Butt of Counsel, instructed by Levitt Robinson Solicitors, will be imminently launching class action proceedings to protect and defend Jewish students, academics and staff at the University of Sydney and seek redress against the propagators of antisemitism. I spoke about this class action with senior partner Stewart Levitt, who exhorts the community to donate support financially. Stewart is known as one of Australia’s leading practitioners in securities class actions and banking/finance and insolvency litigation, having instigated and conducted the Storm Financial litigation against major banks. (0:46-37:43) Joint interview in Hebrew with Ronen Martin-Cohen, who is the J-AIR presenter of the show 'Peace of Mind'. (37:50-57:06)

For decades, since the glorious military victory in the Six Days War (1967), Tzvi Elpeleg used every possible public stage to voice his concern about the Israeli government policy, led by the iconic one-eyed Moshe Dayan, who was considered to be the architect of this military victory that took 6 days.  This policy aim was to treat the Palestinians in the Gaza strip and the West Bank in a democratic and ‘enlightened’ way. The Israeli western assumption, led by Dayan, that this kind and generous approach would bring the Palestinians closer to their Israeli neighbors, was the ultimate mistake done by the Israelis, leading, sixty years later, to the horrors of October 7th.

Jonathan Spyer is a British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist of Middle Eastern affairs. He is director of research at the Middle East Forum, editor of Middle East Quarterly magazine, a fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, a freelance security analyst and correspondent for Jane's Information Group, and a columnist for The Jerusalem Post. Tensions on Israel’s northern border have escalated to the point where Israel has declared that it is ready for all out war against Hezbollah if necessary. What might trigger such an eventuality and what could be the consequences of such an escalation? Is the threat real or are we seeing the use of strong rhetoric as a deterrent against an all out war?

Jonathan Spyer is a British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist of Middle Eastern affairs. He is director of research at the Middle East Forum, editor of Middle East Quarterly magazine, a fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, a freelance security analyst and correspondent for Jane's Information Group, and a columnist for The Jerusalem Post. Tensions on Israel’s northern border have escalated to the point where Israel has declared that it is ready for all out war against Hezbollah if necessary. What might trigger such an eventuality and what could be the consequences of such an escalation? Is the threat real or are we seeing the use of strong rhetoric as a deterrent against an all out war? (0:31-27:47) For decades, since the glorious military victory in the Six Days War (1967), Tzvi Elpeleg used every possible public stage to voice his concern about the Israeli government policy, led by the iconic one-eyed Moshe Dayan, who was considered to be the architect of this military victory that took 6 days.  This policy aim was to treat the Palestinians in the Gaza strip and the West Bank in a democratic and ‘enlightened’ way. The Israeli western assumption, led by Dayan, that this kind and generous approach would bring the Palestinians closer to their Israeli neighbors, was the ultimate mistake done by the Israelis, leading, sixty years later, to the horrors of October 7th. (27:53-56:56)

Air Doctor connects travelers to a global network of over 25,000 professional medical practitioners, including GPs, paediatricians, dentists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, gynaecologists, and orthopedic specialists, spanning 75 countries. I speak with co-founder Jenny Cohen Derfler.

Former ABC director Joe Gersh has called out the public broadcaster for not examining the current explosion of antisemitism in Australia. Gersh affirms that he is a supporter of a “strong, independent and impartial” ABC. “It is a matter of deep concern to me, as a member of the Jewish community, as a former ABC director, and as an Australian citizen that our national broadcaster has not fully understood and dealt with what I believe has reached crisis proportions.” Includes audio clips demonstrating ABC anti-Israel bias (0:37-40:32) Michael Starr is the Diaspora Affairs correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, covering global Jewish affairs, antisemitism, and radical anti-Israel activities. I will be speaking with him about his role. Previously, Starr was the legal affairs and police affairs correspondent. Starr is a veteran of the October 7 war and earned a BA in government and diplomacy and an MA in security studies at Reichman University. (40:39-57:18)

Dr Alon Liel is the former director general of the Foreign Ministry of Israel and was also Israel's ambassador to South Africa. He is one of the instigators of an Israeli campaign to advance recognition of a Palestinian state by European parliaments and government. We will be discussing the different attitudes of the various nations that have been expressing strong views in relation to the on-going Israel-Gaza war.

Julian Leeser MP haspresented a private members bill in the House of Representatives that would introduce a judicial inquiry with royal commission powers to investigate antisemitism on university campuses.  This compares with the Labor government's proposal for a two year study into various kinds of racism at our universities. Julian Leeser does not trust Labor’s new probe into racism in universities, which will be run by the Australian Human Rights Commission, because there is “systemic racism against Jews at the commission”. (0:31-29:43) Dr Alon Liel is the former director general of the Foreign Ministry of Israel and was also Israel's ambassador to South Africa. He is one of the instigators of an Israeli campaign to advance recognition of a Palestinian state by European parliaments and government. (29:49-58:24)

David May is a research manager and senior research analyst at the influential Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.  We discussed possible scenarios after Israel reaches the point where it sees that its mission to destroy the military infrastructure of Hamas has been achieved. (0:31-45:35) Tali Hamilton is a first year student studying chemistry and physiology at the University of Sydney.(45:42-58:26)

Shay Khatiri, vice president of development and senior fellow of the Yorktown Institute, has written on the Iranian regime in many publications, including the Jewish News Syndicate, the Middle East Forum, and The Hill. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal Shay discussed the potential regional and political repercussions and succession scenarios following the sudden death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi. As a dissident Iranian and a distinguished authority vocally opposing the regime, Shay provides an intricate and informed perspective. (6:43-57:23)

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has reported a 738% increase “in antisemitic attacks on Jewish Australians” since Oct 7th. I speak with Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the ECAJ about the avalanche of antisemitism we are experiencing in Australian society today. (0:31-37:10) Air Doctor connects travelers to a global network of over 25,000 professional medical practitioners, including GPs, paediatricians, dentists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, gynaecologists, and orthopedic specialists, spanning 75 countries. I speak with co-founder Jenny Cohen Derfler. (37:17-57:35)

The situation on our university campuses has worsened with anti-Israel protests continuing unabated.  I speak with Ilya Somin,  who is a law professor at George Mason University, the B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute and a blogger for the Volokh Conspiracy  He has written a couple of articles Student Movements Are Often Wrong and Campus Anti-Israel Protests and the Ethics of Civil Disobedience. (0:31-31:57) To gauge some reactions to the anti-Israel encampments on many of our universities in Australia I spoke with  Alyssa Peterson, a Ph.D student at the University of Queensland, who is part of the team responsible for the establishment of Camp Shalom there (31:57-43:48) and an undergraduate student at Melbourne University.(43:48-58:22)

Many countries including Canada and Australia have now resumed funding UNRWA, despite all of the explosive revelations about UNRWA's complicity with Hamas.  Both my guests this week are involved in initiatives to redress this injustice. Richard Marceau is Vice President, External Affairs and General Counsel, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). Richard is a former Member of Parliament, a lawyer, a published author, a human rights activist, and a person passionate about the Jewish story. For over thirty years Henry Kopel served as a US criminal prosecutor.  His writings challenge conventional wisdom regarding the causes of mass atrocities, by re-focusing the discussion away from the oft-cited factors of “ancient hatreds” and “poverty” and towards the more demonstrable causal vector of ideological hate indoctrination. His latest book War on Hate: How to Stop Genocide, Fight Terrorism, and Defend Freedom calls on the liberal democracies to robustly confront the sources and conduits of mass hate indoctrination. 

The Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) comprising a network of 250 academics, working across 26 Australian universities and medical centres, from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, cultural identities, and religious affiliations, aims to counteract antisemitism in the tertiary sector and medical and research affiliates through education and advocacy. Steven Prawer, professor of physics at the University of Melbourne and co-chair of the alliance, recalls how October 7 became his ‘Herzl’ moment. [This is the full interview with Professor Steven Prawer.]

John Lockwood, the chairman of an Australian pro-Israel Christian organisation called Kingdom Builders, is partnering with Jewish community organsations and the Global Israeli Leadership. John founded the Southern Cross Alliance for Israel, which started 5 years ago in an effort to bring Jews and Christians together in support of Israel and to combat the scourge of antisemitism. John is also associated with Never Again is Now, (NAIN), a Christian grassroots movement educating and mobilising Christians to actively stand up against antisemitism.  (0:31-34:06) The Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) comprising a network of 250 academics, working across 26 Australian universities and medical centres, from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, cultural identities, and religious affiliations, aims to counteract antisemitism in the tertiary sector and medical and research affiliates through education and advocacy. Steven Prawer, professor of physics at the University of Melbourne and co-chair of the alliance, recalls how October 7 became his ‘Herzl’ moment. (34:12-58:24)

Ralph Seliger has been a left-wing Zionist activist since the 1980s. He's edited and written widely for print and online platforms, usually on Israel and Jewish-related topics. His current focus is as co-editor of The Third Narrative, a website dedicated to a nuanced perspective on Israel, defending its existence and security, while also advocating a two-state solution with the Palestinians. The Third Narrative is critical of the settlement enterprise and most Israeli practices and policies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (0:42-42:06) Noam Safir, 20, from Eilat, is the granddaughter of Shlomo Mantzur, 86 who is a Holocaust survivor and the oldest hostage taking into captivity by Hamas. Just before Passover she made a speech pleading for the release of her elderly grandfather. (42:13-49:43)

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism happens to be Professor Ben Saul, Challis Chair of International Law, Sydney Law School and Elected Academic Fellow, The University of Sydney Senate. In this complete interview with Professor Ben Saul we wrestled over the consequences of the accidental killing of an Australian aid-worker, discussed Israel's handling of humanitarian aid for Gaza and I questioned the validity of much of what the United Nations represents. 

Eitan Drori OAM joined me in the studio live speaking with Ahal Besorai, an Israeli Certified Forum Facilitator and Coach and British lawyer, who currently lives in the Phillipines. Ahal, born in Kibbutz Be'eri, is a former officer in an IDF Navy Commando unit and a chairman of the Young President Organization (YPO) London Chapter.  Ahal's younger sister was killed in Kibbutz Be'eri on Oct 7th, while her husband was taken hostage. Eitan Drori manages his own consultancy company focusing on promoting Israeli innovations in Asia Pacific and Europe. He is Chairman of Global Israeli Leadership that fosters worldwide Israeli Diasporic leadership. (0:53-29:23) =================================================== The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism happens to be Professor Ben Saul, Challis Chair of International Law, Sydney Law School and Elected Academic Fellow, The University of Sydney Senate. We tangle over the consequences of the accidental killing of an Australian aid-worker, examine Israel's handling of humanitarian aid for Gaza and I question the validity of much of what the United Nations represents.(29:30-57:25)

The recently appointed CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia Alon Cassuto is responsible for leading the organisation through the most challenging times being faced by Australia’s Jewish community. Cassuto is an accomplished lawyer and management consultant. Born and raised in Jerusalem, the former youth movement madrich (leader), AUJS and Israel Programs leader, and Chair of the Young Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (YAICC), Cassuto embodies the spirit of activism and advocacy that is at the core of the ZFA’s mission. (0:41-34:55) COGAT (Coordinator of the Government Activities in the Territories) is the official Israeli unit tasked with the coordination and facilitation of humanitarian initiatives to assist the civilian population in Gaza and is doing so in coordination with the international community. I spoke with Shimon Freedman, who is a COGAT spokesperson for international media. (34:56-56:37) Australia's deluded foreign minister Wong responding to a question from an ABC interviewer by totally avoiding an answer, instead uttering a bunch of weasel words and then seeing the ABC interviewer not bothering to ask for a proper answer to the question.   (56:37-58:22)

Born in Tel Aviv and educated at UCLA and Columbia College in Chicago, Duki Dror Darwish is an internationally award-winning documentary filmmaker.  His extensive body of work spreads over multiple topics and forms - character-driven journeys, experiment biographies, investigative docs, and historical epics, have won him international recognition and success. His latest production is about the Nova Music Festival Massacre.

Understanding the world is harder than ever. There is too much information, too much propaganda, and too much virtue signalling. Moral Clarity: Truths in Politics and Culture is a vehicle to speak truth to nonsense. Nachum Kaplan holds a degree in politics from Monash University in his native Australia and has spent 30 years working as a journalist, commentator, and C-suite media strategist to Fortune 500 companies.