The untold stories and real issues facing Israel and the Jewish community in Australia and around the world.

The untold stories and real issues facing Israel and the Jewish community in Australia and around the world.

Behind The Headlines

Behind The Headlines is your gateway to the untold stories and real issues facing Israel, the Jewish community in Australia and around the world. Hosted by Adam Slonim, the show invites guests from across the globe to explore the background, facts, and complexities behind the headlines, giving listeners a deeper insight and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that shape Israel and Jewish life today. Whether it’s examining the situation in Israel, uncovering the realities of global Jewish communities, dissecting Government and society’s changing attitudes, or discussing the pressing issues that affect us all, Behind The Headlines will provide insightful and engaging conversations that go beyond the surface.

About the Host

Adam Slonim is a seasoned commentator with a deep passion for Jewish community issues and Israeli affairs. Adam has served in community positions over many years and co-founded Labor Friends of Israel. He has taken a number of Australian Missions to Israel. He is the Managing Director of the Blended Learning Group, focusing on teaching Emotional Intelligence, and consults in Artificial Intelligence. Adam brings a wealth of experience in public engagement and education, having worked extensively with organisations and forums focused on the Middle East and global Jewish issues. Adam’s thoughtful, informed approach ensures that Behind The Headlines offers listeners meaningful, nuanced discussions on the stories that matter most.

Behind The Headlines is your gateway to the untold stories and real issues facing Israel, the Jewish community in Australia and around the world. Hosted by Adam Slonim, the show invites guests from across the globe to explore the background, facts, and complexities behind the headlines, giving listeners a deeper insight and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that shape Israel and Jewish life today. Whether it’s examining the situation in Israel, uncovering the realities of global Jewish communities, dissecting Government and society’s changing attitudes, or discussing the pressing issues that affect us all, Behind The Headlines will provide insightful and engaging conversations that go beyond the surface.
About the Host
Adam Slonim is a seasoned commentator with a deep passion for Jewish community issues and Israeli affairs. Adam has served in community positions over many years and co-founded Labor Friends of Israel. He has taken a number of Australian Missions to Israel. He is the Managing Director of the Blended Learning Group, focusing on teaching Emotional Intelligence, and consults in Artificial Intelligence. Adam brings a wealth of experience in public engagement and education, having worked extensively with organisations and forums focused on the Middle East and global Jewish issues. Adam’s thoughtful, informed approach ensures that Behind The Headlines offers listeners meaningful, nuanced discussions on the stories that matter most.

If you want to understand where the world is really heading and what it means for Australia, this is one of the most important conversations I’ve had. From Iran and China to social cohesion at home, Senator Raff Ciccone - Chair of the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence & Security - lays out the pressures building beneath the surface and why they matter more than we think.

If you want to understand where the world is really heading and what it means for Australia, this is one of the most important conversations I&rsquo;ve had.&nbsp;From Iran and China to social cohesion at home, Senator Raff Ciccone - Chair of the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence &amp; Security - lays out the pressures building beneath the surface and why they matter more than we think.

EP67. Power, Chaos and the New Global Reality

In this gripping conversation, Ambassador Michael Oren reframes the Iran conflict in stark terms: Israel fights for victory, its enemies fight simply to survive—and that changes everything. We explore whether this is a war that can be won or only managed, why Iran sits at the centre of every battlefield from Gaza to Lebanon, the limits of American support, and the resilience—and strain—within Israeli society after years of conflict. A sobering, deeply strategic look at a war redefining power, endurance and what “winning” even means.

In this gripping conversation, Ambassador Michael Oren reframes the Iran conflict in stark terms: Israel fights for victory, its enemies fight simply to survive&mdash;and that changes everything. We explore whether this is a war that can be won or only managed, why Iran sits at the centre of every battlefield from Gaza to Lebanon, the limits of American support, and the resilience&mdash;and strain&mdash;within Israeli society after years of conflict. A sobering, deeply strategic look at a war redefining power, endurance and what &ldquo;winning&rdquo; even means.

EP66. Victory or Survival? Michael Oren on Israel, Iran and a War Without End

Is this a war that can be won—or only managed? Ambassador Dennis Ross and I explore Iran, Israel, the U.S. blockade, the fragility of the Iranian regime, and why this conflict may be reshaping the future of power, deterrence and order in the Middle East and beyond. 

Is this a war that can be won&mdash;or only managed? Ambassador Dennis Ross and I explore Iran, Israel, the U.S. blockade, the fragility of the Iranian regime, and why this conflict may be reshaping the future of power, deterrence and order in the Middle East and beyond.&nbsp;

EP65. Winning Without Victory: Dennis Ross on Iran, Israel and a World Rewritten

A conversation with Professor Stephen Prawer on what rising antisemitism reveals about Australian universities — and what happens when institutions lose the ability to draw clear lines. A test not just of campuses, but of leadership itself.

A conversation with Professor Stephen Prawer on what rising antisemitism reveals about Australian universities &mdash; and what happens when institutions lose the ability to draw clear lines. A test not just of campuses, but of leadership itself.

 EP64. When Universities Lose Their Nerve - a Test of Leadership

We examine a case that goes far beyond the courtroom. When the phrase “All Zionists are terrorists” was amplified in a charged public setting, it forced a precise legal question: where does free speech end and incitement begin? But as this conversation with Menachem Vorchheimer unfolds, something deeper emerges. This is not only about law — it is about the power of language to shape emotion, behaviour, and ultimately action. In an era where slogans travel faster than thought, this case exposes how narratives are formed, how lines are crossed, and what happens when words move from expression to consequence. And in that sense, its lessons extend well beyond protest or politics — into leadership, decision-making, and the responsibility that comes with influence.

We examine a case that goes far beyond the courtroom. When the phrase &ldquo;All Zionists are terrorists&rdquo; was amplified in a charged public setting, it forced a precise legal question: where does free speech end and incitement begin? But as this conversation with Menachem Vorchheimer unfolds, something deeper emerges. This is not only about law &mdash; it is about the power of language to shape emotion, behaviour, and ultimately action. In an era where slogans travel faster than thought, this case exposes how narratives are formed, how lines are crossed, and what happens when words move from expression to consequence. And in that sense, its lessons extend well beyond protest or politics &mdash; into leadership, decision-making, and the responsibility that comes with influence.

EP63 Free Speech or Incitement-The case that tested the law

One of Australia's greatest raconteurs, Andrew Landeryou, delivers a blunt assessment of a political system in flux and the rise of a more volatile, fragmented electorate. urning to the global stage, he frames the Israel–US–Iran conflict as a genuine strategic turning point, with the potential to reshape regional power and test Australia’s alliances, warning that we may be entering a far more uncertain and consequential phase of both domestic and international politics.

One of Australia's greatest raconteurs, Andrew Landeryou, delivers a blunt assessment of a political system in flux and the rise of a more volatile, fragmented electorate. urning to the global stage, he frames the Israel&ndash;US&ndash;Iran conflict as a genuine strategic turning point, with the potential to reshape regional power and test Australia&rsquo;s alliances, warning that we may be entering a far more uncertain and consequential phase of both domestic and international politics.

EP62. Australia Shifting, War Escalating: - Andrew Landeryou on Politics & Power

As Israel moves rom managing the Iranian threat to removing it, former Australian Assistant Defence Minister and soldier Mike Kelly provides a hard-headed assessment of the escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, Hezbollah and the United States. What are the real military and geopolitical stakes of this war, and how far could it spread? We examines the strategic objectives of Israel and the US, the role of Iran’s proxy forces across the region, and managing the risks of wider regional escalation including Iran's use of global terror. The conversation uncovers the strategic fiascos of Australia's National Security establishment and the "failure to appreciate the ecosystem of terror".

As Israel moves rom managing the Iranian threat to removing it, former Australian Assistant Defence Minister and soldier&nbsp;Mike Kelly provides a hard-headed assessment of the escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, Hezbollah and the United States. What are the real military and geopolitical stakes of this war, and how far could it spread? We examines the strategic objectives of Israel and the US, the role of Iran&rsquo;s proxy forces across the region, and managing the risks of wider regional escalation including Iran's use of global terror. The conversation uncovers the strategic fiascos of Australia's National Security establishment and the "failure to appreciate the ecosystem of terror".

EP61. Middle East on the Brink: Mike Kelly on Iran & What Comes Next

Israel is fighting a large scale war with Iran—the power that has spent decades trying to encircle it with proxy armies and missiles. In this episode I interview David Horovitz the founding editor of The Times of Israel, one of the world’s most widely read English-language publications covering Israel and the region. David tells us how the war is proceeding, how Israel is coping and what is happening across the region.

Israel is fighting a large scale war with Iran&mdash;the power that has spent decades trying to encircle it with proxy armies and missiles. In this episode I interview&nbsp;David Horovitz the founding editor of The Times of Israel, one of the world&rsquo;s most widely read English-language publications covering Israel and the region. David tells us how the war is proceeding, how Israel is coping and what is happening across the region.

EP60. Inside Israel’s War with Iran-David Horovitz Explains

In this episode of Behind The Headlines, I interview Avital Shapira, International Director of the Histadrut, Israel’s national trade union federation representing over 800,000 workers. What follows is a conversation that decisively dismantles one of the loudest accusations made against Israel. We examine how collective bargaining agreements apply equally to Jewish and Arab workers, how Palestinian employees working under Israeli labour law receive the same wages and protections as their Israeli counterparts, and how workplace integration complicates — and in many cases collapses — the apartheid narrative. This is not a discussion of slogans, but of contracts, pay slips, safety standards and enforceable rights. If you want facts rather than theatre, this is an interview you should hear.

In this episode of Behind The Headlines, I interview Avital Shapira, International Director of the Histadrut, Israel&rsquo;s national trade union federation representing over 800,000 workers. What follows is a conversation that decisively dismantles one of the loudest accusations made against Israel. We examine how collective bargaining agreements apply equally to Jewish and Arab workers, how Palestinian employees working under Israeli labour law receive the same wages and protections as their Israeli counterparts, and how workplace integration complicates &mdash; and in many cases collapses &mdash; the apartheid narrative. This is not a discussion of slogans, but of contracts, pay slips, safety standards and enforceable rights. If you want facts rather than theatre, this is an interview you should hear.

EP59. The Israeli Union That Destroys the Apartheid Myth

A speech I gave about the deep historical Jewish connection to the Australian Labor Party and reclaiming it for the future.

A speech I gave about the deep historical Jewish connection to the Australian Labor Party and reclaiming it for the future.

Behind The Headlines

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43 clip(s) in playlist

Behind The Headlines

Follow the podcast:

.css-uk6cul{vertical-align:middle;}.css-1nan14f{display:inline-block;-webkit-flex:none;-ms-flex:none;flex:none;width:4px;}43 clip(s) in playlist

43 clip(s) in playlist