Today marks two years since Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups carried out multiple coordinated attacks in Israel - killing over a thousand people. Around 250 Israelis were taken hostage. 

It was a day of unconscionable atrocities and hatred. And war has only made the horrors grow. Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to the United Nations. Last month the United Nations Human Rights Commission declared that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

Locally we see a lot of activism around America’s support for Israel and American business’  involvement in Israel and Gaza. 

But, what do things look like inside Israel right now?

And will a ceasefire, if it happens, or the return of hostages, change the picture in Israel?

Guest:


Liora Halperin is a Professor of International Studies and History, and Distinguished Endowed Chair of Jewish Studies, at the University of Washington, and she’s the Director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies.

Related stories:
Israel at War With Itself - NYT

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Today marks two years since Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups carried out multiple coordinated attacks in Israel - killing <a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/07/17/i-cant-erase-all-the-blood-from-my-mind/palestinian-armed-groups-october-7">over a thousand people</a>. Around 250 Israelis were taken hostage.&nbsp;
It was a day of unconscionable atrocities and hatred. And war has only made the horrors grow. Israel&rsquo;s military campaign has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, <a href="https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-1-october-2025">according to the</a> United Nations. Last month the United Nations Human Rights Commission <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/israel-has-committed-genocide-gaza-strip-un-commission-finds">declared that Israel has committed genocide</a> in Gaza.
Locally we see a lot of activism around America&rsquo;s support for Israel and American business&rsquo;&nbsp; involvement in Israel and Gaza.&nbsp;
But, what do things look like inside Israel right now?
And will a ceasefire, if it happens, or the return of hostages, change the picture in Israel?
Guest:
<ul>
<li>
Liora Halperin is a Professor of International Studies and History, and Distinguished Endowed Chair of Jewish Studies, at the University of Washington, and she&rsquo;s the Director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/world/middleeast/israel-challenges-gaza-war.html?utm_campaign=likeshopme&amp;amp;utm_content=ig-nytimes&amp;amp;utm_medium=instagram&amp;amp;utm_source=dash+hudson">Israel at War With Itself - NYT</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

What do things look like inside Israel right now?  And will a ceasefire, if it happens, or the return of hostages, change the picture in Israel?

Advertisement