We’re diving into an issue that sits at the core of Israel’s security and its enduring relationship with the United States: foreign aid. U.S. assistance has been a critical force in strengthening Israel’s defense capabilities. But as Dr. Michael Oren explains, it hasn’t come without costs. While aid has helped build Israel’s military strength, it has also created strategic dependencies and, at times, limited Israel’s autonomy on the global stage. In this conversation, we explore how U.S. aid to ...
May 05, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 57
As Israel marks its 77th Independence Day, we step back from the headlines to reflect on the extraordinary, improbable story of its survival and triumph. Aviva Klompas opens with a moment from November 1947: just hours after the UN vote to establish a Jewish state, Golda Meir warned a jubilant crowd that the dream would not come easily. It would have to be fought for—and it would come at a cost. Israel’s early years were defined by war, scarcity, and isolation. But against overwhelming odds, the...
May 01, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Israel is facing a domestic crisis with sweeping implications for its democracy, national security, and political leadership. In a sworn affidavit to Israel’s Supreme Court, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty above the rule of law. Among the explosive allegations: that Netanyahu urged him to spy on Israeli citizens, interfere with the premier’s corruption trial, and defy Supreme Court rulings in the event of a constitutional crisis. Bar say...
Apr 28, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Since October 7, antisemitism has surged across American college campuses—setting off one of the fiercest debates in higher education today. In response, the Trump administration has launched an aggressive crackdown: threatening to pull federal funding, investigating elite universities, and detaining foreign students accused of supporting terror groups. Supporters see this as long-overdue protection for Jewish students. Critics call it a dangerous overreach aimed at silencing dissent and reshapi...
Apr 24, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 54
As nuclear talks between the United States and Iran get underway, Israel is watching with unease. What’s being billed as technical negotiations over uranium levels and verification protocols is, in truth, a high-stakes diplomatic gamble with enormous implications for the Middle East. Iran is dragging its feet, playing for time. Former President Donald Trump, eager for a foreign policy win ahead of the election, wants a deal sealed fast. And Israel is stuck in the middle—between a regime that see...
Apr 21, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Since October 7, Israel has been fighting a war unlike any in modern history — against a terror group that hides in hospitals, stores weapons in schools, and holds hostages underground. The IDF is operating under intense pressure, with international demands for zero civilian casualties, blocked operations in key Hamas strongholds, and constant pauses driven more by perception than fact. Urban warfare expert John Spencer joins Aviva Klompas to explain what’s really happening on the ground in Gaza...
Apr 17, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Why doesn’t Israel have a constitution and what would it mean to finally write one Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Michael Oren to discuss one of the most foundational—and contentious—questions about Israeli democracy: the absence of a formal constitution. Despite a promise made at the country’s founding in 1948, Israel continues to operate under a framework of Basic Laws and judicial precedents, with no singular document that defines the principles, powers, and limits of governance. As Israel ...
Apr 14, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unplanned stop at the White House after a visit to Hungary, aiming to persuade Donald Trump to reverse a looming 17% tariff on Israeli goods. But the real story was playing out just beneath the surface. Trump dropped a surprise announcement: senior U.S. officials would be holding direct talks with Iran — a shift that appeared to blindside the Israeli leader. Netanyahu stuck to his hard line on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while Trump emphasized diplomacy an...
Apr 10, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In this longform edition of Boundless Insights , Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with Michal Cotler-Wunsh — Israel’s Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and a former Member of Knesset — for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of antisemitism, the weaponization of international law, and the global implications of October 7. Michal argues that the misuse of human rights language, including terms like "genocide" and "apartheid," has served to delegitimize Israel, and...
Apr 07, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 49
As the Houthis escalate their attacks on international shipping and threaten both Israeli and Western vessels, the Trump administration has responded with a sweeping military campaign against the Iran-backed group in Yemen. With Red Sea shipping traffic plummeting and global trade at risk, the U.S. is signaling that enough is enough. So what’s different this time? Can the Houthis actually be stopped? And how will Iran, global powers, and U.S. allies respond? Aviva Klompas is joined by Michael Do...
Apr 03, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Videos have surfaced showing Palestinians in Gaza rising up against Hamas. How significant are these protests? Do they mark a genuine turning point in public sentiment, or are they a fleeting moment of frustration? And what would it take for this unrest to evolve into a broader political shift or a change in leadership? A recent Gallup poll found that more than half of Gazans would leave if given the chance. Meanwhile, Israel’s message to civilians has been stark: “The solution is in your hands....
Mar 31, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Nearly 18 months after Hamas’s October 7 massacre, the war in Gaza has reignited. Israeli airstrikes are once again targeting senior Hamas leaders, and IDF troops have taken up new positions inside the Strip. Predictably, international condemnation has resumed, calling Israel’s actions a “step backward,” while rocket fire from Gaza and the Houthis intensifies. But this time, one thing is different: the Trump administration has signaled a sharp shift in U.S. policy, giving Israel far more operati...
Mar 27, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Israel’s security leadership is in turmoil. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, citing a breakdown of trust after the October 7 Hamas massacre. But Bar is pushing back—warning that his removal is tied to what’s being called Qatargate . He claims the government is trying to obstruct an ongoing investigation into Qatar’s covert influence at the highest levels of Israeli leadership. Israeli police have already arrested two suspects amid explosive allegat...
Mar 24, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Israel was founded on a promise—to be the defender of the Jewish people. On October 7, that promise was broken. In the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust, Israel’s security, deterrence, and very raison d’être were shaken to the core. What went wrong? How does Israel begin the process of reckoning with its failures—not just to return the hostages, but to rebuild trust, restore deterrence, and reclaim its sovereignty? In this episode, historian, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S....
Mar 20, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Last month, Israel made a surprising diplomatic move, voting alongside the United States and Russia against a United Nations resolution reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It was the first time Israel had taken such a stance since the war began—raising questions about the pressure Jerusalem faces as President Trump reshapes U.S. foreign policy. Since taking office in January, Trump has distanced himself from Biden’s strong backing of Ukraine, labeling President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dic...
Mar 17, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 43
The U.S. has been in direct talks with Hamas, aiming to negotiate the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Leading the discussions is Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, who recently met with Hamas officials in Doha. He described the talks as “very productive,” indicating they extend beyond hostage negotiations to broader discussions about a long-term ceasefire. Boehler has suggested that Hamas may be willing to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza—but not without signi...
Mar 13, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this episode of Boundless Insights , Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with former Palestinian negotiator Ghaith al-Omari to examine the shifting landscape of Palestinian leadership and the viability of a two-state solution. They discuss the historical evolution of Palestinian nationalism, the deep legitimacy crisis facing the Palestinian Authority, and the role of Arab nations in rebuilding Gaza and advancing a diplomatic resolution. Ghaith also weighs in on the impact of U.S. leadership in driving ...
Mar 10, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 41
While much of the world’s attention remains fixed on Gaza, the security situation in Judea and Samaria / the West Bank is escalating. In January, the IDF launched Operation Iron Wall , a major campaign aimed at dismantling terror networks. The operation began in Jenin—a long-standing hub for terrorist activity – and has since expanded into nearby towns. To understand what’s happening on the ground, Aviva Klompas speaks with retired Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, one of the most respected voices on ...
Mar 06, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 40
For months, world leaders have been asking: What comes next for Gaza once the war ends? President Trump stirred controversy by suggesting an unconventional approach—relocating Palestinians from Gaza to other countries while the Strip undergoes reconstruction. The backlash was swift. Now, Arab states are rallying around a counterproposal. Leading the charge is Egypt, which is promoting a plan to rebuild Gaza without relocating its residents and to establish a new governing authority. Can this new...
Mar 03, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 39
This week, Israel laid to rest four murdered hostages—Oded Lifshitz, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas—all from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their names are now etched into the heart of a grieving nation. Oded Lifshitz was an 83-year-old peace activist, a man who dedicated his life to coexistence. On October 7, he was shot in the hand, dragged into Gaza, and murdered in captivity. At his funeral, his wife spoke of the deep betrayal she felt—how after years of championing peace with Palestinians, they were attacke...
Feb 27, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Since October 7, it has felt like we’ve been trapped in an unending nightmare. That horror deepened when Hamas staged a grotesque spectacle in Gaza, parading the coffins of hostages through the streets. The scene was chilling: a stage draped with propaganda banners, celebratory music blaring, and crowds—including Palestinian children—cheering as the coffins were handed over to the Red Cross. Even the UN, an organization rarely sympathetic to Israel, condemned the display as "cruel and degra...
Feb 24, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Since the horrific attacks of October 7, the absence of moral courage has been glaring. In a time when speaking the truth comes with real consequences—risking careers, reputations, and even personal safety—many have chosen silence over principle. But what does it truly mean to stand up for what’s right? Why do some rise to the occasion while others retreat into the background? And how can we cultivate the strength to act, even when the cost is high? In this episode, Aviva Klompas is joined by Br...
Feb 20, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this special episode of Boundless Insights , guest host Dr. Rachel Fish speaks with award-winning author and scholar Dr. Dara Horn about the shortcomings of Holocaust education. Too often, it emphasizes universal moral lessons while overlooking Jews themselves and disregarding Jewish life before and after the Holocaust. They explore the concept of the “null curriculum”—the lessons schools leave out—and reveal how a narrow focus on the Holocaust can mislead students into seeing Jews solely as ...
Feb 17, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 35
We’re diving into one of the most contentious and emotional debates in Israeli society: Haredim and military service. For decades, ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students have been exempt from Israel’s mandatory draft to focus on Torah study. But with Israel’s security stretched thin after October 7, the debate over Haredi participation in the military has taken on new urgency. Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Eli Paley, a leading voice in the Haredi world, to explore this issue from a deeply informed pe...
Feb 13, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Donald Trump has upended global politics with a radical new proposal. He’s floated the idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza and relocating the Palestinian population, calling it an opportunity to build a “Riviera of the Middle East.” His proposal marks a dramatic shift from decades of U.S. foreign policy and the longstanding belief that a Palestinian state is essential for regional peace. But is Trump serious? Is this even remotely feasible? To break it all down, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Ore...
Feb 10, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 33
President Donald Trump stunned the world when he announced that the United States should take over Gaza, clear the rubble, rebuild it into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” and relocate its population to other countries. Is this a serious policy proposal, a negotiation tactic, or something else entirely? And what does it mean for Israel, the hostages, and the broader Middle East? I’m joined by Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to break down T...
Feb 06, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 32
It has been almost 500 days since Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 hostages into Gaza. In recent weeks, a hostage deal has held, bringing some hostages home—but with it comes an emotional rollercoaster of relief, fear, and the devastating reality that some will never return. This episode takes a hard look at where things stand. The release of hostages has been met with the simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners, including convicted murderers, ra...
Feb 03, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is navigating an extraordinary set of challenges, from political and public backlash after October 7 to ongoing legal battles and personal health concerns. Today, we delve into the immense pressures facing Israel’s longest-serving leader, the criticisms and demands from every direction, and how history will remember him. Joining us is Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, historian, and prominent commentator on Israeli affairs. Togeth...
Jan 30, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 30
For decades, the two-state solution has been the cornerstone of international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This episode delves into its history, from its origins to repeated failed negotiations, and examines whether it remains a viable path forward. In the aftermath of October 7 — a day that fundamentally changed how Israelis view the conflict — the challenges to this vision feel more insurmountable than ever. Can a sovereign Palestinian state be established without compr...
Jan 27, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office, and his second term has already focused on U.S.-Israel relations and Middle East diplomacy. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to unpack the key issues and challenges ahead. From the plight of hostages and the prospects for expanding the Abraham Accords to questions about the future of Gaza, Iran, and the fight against antisemitism, this conversation dives deep into the polici...
Jan 23, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 28
