Send us a text In this episode of State of the Nation, Phillip Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, tells us about the challenges facing the British Jewish community in the aftermath of October 7th. At just 38 years old, Rosenberg is the youngest leader in the organization's history and brings fresh perspectives to a community navigating a surge in antisemitism and political extremism in the UK. The conversation explores the rise of hate crimes, the role of interfaith a...
Jan 13, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Send us a text Explore the truth behind Israel's humanitarian efforts in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. In this episode of State of a Nation, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy engages with Shimon Freedman, the international spokesperson for COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories). Together, they uncover the challenges of delivering aid in a war zone, the complexities of humanitarian logistics, and the accusations faced by Israel on the global stage. Fr...
Jan 09, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Send us a text 🌍 A New Era in the Middle East? The Fall of Assad and the Future of Peace 🌍 In this episode of State of a Nation, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy sits down with returning guest Rawan Osman to discuss the most significant developments reshaping the Middle East today. With the shocking collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the region faces an uncertain but pivotal crossroads. What does this mean for Syria’s future, Israel’s security, and the broader Middle East?...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Send us a text In this compelling episode of State of a Nation, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy engages in a riveting conversation with Special Forces reservist Stav Cohen. Broadcasting from our new set in Mindspace LaGuardia, Tel Aviv, Stav shares his extraordinary journey as a lawyer-in-training, NGO leader, and front-line soldier. Discover first-hand accounts of Stav’s experiences in Gaza, from navigating Hamas’s use of human shields to the complexities of urban warfare. Lea...
Jan 02, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Send us a text Gen Z is shown time and again to be the American generation that stands most against Israel. But there are Gen Zionist heroes among them that are standing up for Israel and pushing back against the misinformation machine every day. Eylon Levy went to the Z3 conference in Palo Alto, to talk to the students who are on the front lines of the battle for hearts and minds on campuses across the country. The Z3 Project is an initiative of the Oshman Family JCC. Their objective is to fost...
Dec 30, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Send us a text The Jewish world, both in Israel and globally, has encountered a surge of antisemitism. Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel's special envoy for combating antisemitism, is uniquely positioned to shed light on this pressing issue. She assumed this role just weeks before the tragic October 7 Hamas attack. A former Knesset member with the Blue and White party, Cotler-Wunsh is an authority in international human rights law, specializing in freedom of speech, civil liberties, and multiculturali...
Dec 23, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Send us a text How do you count the dead in Gaza? And really when we’re talking about tens of thousands killed does a miscount here or there really make such a difference? The answer is yes, when that misinformation is used to accuse the IDF of purposefully targeting civilians and committing genocide. Andrew Fox has led the latest report by the Henry Jackson Society, Questionable Counting: Analysing The Death Toll From The Hamas-Run Ministry Of Health In Gaza https://henryjacksonsociety.org/publ...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Send us a text The history of modern Israel is so often linked to the founding of the state in 1948. Failing to consider the pre-history of a conflict that many would argue kicked off in force with the Hebron Massacre of 1929. Yardena Schwartz has had an esteemed career as an award-winning journalist and Emmy-nominated producer and is now the author of Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict. A seminal look at the conflict that began what is no...
Dec 16, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Send us a text Ami Kozak is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a comedian, musician, and impressionist. Since October 8th he has been using his platform to speak up against the rise of antisemitism and anti zionism. Eylon sits down with Ami for a wide-ranging conversation about the need to fight hate with laughter and why the Jewish people and their allies around the world can’t stay silent on anti-semitism. Plus get an ‘impression’ of what leaders and haters around the world would say ...
Dec 12, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Send us a text A seasoned diplomat with a wealth of experience in international relations, Ya-Ping (Abby) Lee has been the Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv since January 2022, where she leads the mission in promoting Taiwan-Israel relations across a wide range of sectors, including consular services, economic and commercial affairs, and cultural exchange. Since October 7th, she’s been outspoken in her support and solidarity with the Israeli people as natural ...
Dec 09, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Send us a text Since 1997, Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi has been the founder and head of the Chabad house at Harvard University, one of the largest Chabad campus operations in the United States. In the aftermath of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Zarchi and investor Bill Ackman organized a showing of Bearing Witness, which showed scenes of extreme violence recorded during and after the incursion, on the Harvard campus. The showing was the first campus audience to view the film. Eylon sits down with Rab...
Dec 05, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Send us a text In the wake of October 7th the battle lines were drawn not just in the Middle East, but around the world. And while many progressives decided to pin their flag to Hamas, there were those that realized a terror army committing atrocities wasn’t the cause they wanted to fight for. Eylon sits down with Brianna Wu, the Executive Director of Rebellion Pac, a software developer and Democratic political operative. Trans activist, queer, progressive and in a minority among her circles as ...
Dec 02, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Send us a text [A warning to listeners this episode contains content that some may find distressing] One year ago, Aviva Siegel, a U.S. citizen, was held captive in Gaza for 51 days before her release under a week-long agreement last November. Her husband, Keith Siegel, 65, remains in captivity. Since gaining her freedom, Aviva has become a tireless advocate, working to keep attention on her husband’s situation and urging international leaders to secure his release. Her journey now embodies resi...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Send us a text Too often the black community and the Jewish community are pitted against each other in the US. Marked by outsiders as rival minorities fighting for a limited space on the political stage. But this narrative is driven from outside the community by those looking to bring both groups down, while serving their own interests. Eylon sits down with Dumisani Washington the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel. He is also the former Diversity Outreach Coordina...
Nov 21, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Send us a text What is going on in Lebanon today? We speak with a man who has been on the ground in south Lebanon, and has seen with his own eyes the terrifying infrastructure Hezbollah has built there. With entire villages set up to hide the terror army’s military assets, the IDF is now forced to go house-to-house, tree-to-tree to find the whole city blocks that were built underneath. Major (Res.) Doron Spielman has spent decades working in the IDF spokespersons’ office, helping the world to un...
Nov 18, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Send us a text How does Israel explain itself to the Arab world? With so few official lines of communication in Arabic, one man has taken up the cause as a one man Arabic Citizen Spox, having participated in over 800 interviews since the start of the war. Rabbi Elhanan Miller lives in Jerusalem, graduated with a master's degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies from the Hebrew University. In 2019 he was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi at Beit Midrash Harel. Today, Miller divides his time betwe...
Nov 15, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Send us a text Many beauty queens dream of world peace, but few literally go out and do it. Noa Cochva was crowned Miss Israel 2021 and represented Israel at Miss Universe 2021, yet just a couple of years later she found herself in uniform again fighting for Israel in the wake of the horrors of the October 7th massacre. When it comes to fighting for Israel, Noa knows what it means to be on the front lines and now also serves as an activist for the country, taking to the streets of America, where...
Nov 13, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Send us a text Antisemitism is on the rise throughout the United States, which has seen an “explosion” of anti-Jewish hate crimes since October 7, 2023. Jonathan Greenblatt is the CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where he leads efforts to combat antisemitism, hate, and extremism. Since taking the helm in 2015, Greenblatt has focused on defending Jewish communities while expanding the ADL’s work to address broader issues of hate impacting society. A former advisor in...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Send us a text “Australia’s silence is being heard” says Australia’s former Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg. A man with a deep-rooted connection to his Jewish heritage and strong support for Israel. Raised in a Jewish family, Frydenberg has been vocal about his commitment to Jewish causes and has championed close Australia-Israel relations throughout his career. Known for his leadership as Australia’s Treasurer, Frydenberg has consistently advocated for policies that foster mutual support and collabo...
Oct 31, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Send us a text Peter Berkowitz, former Director of Policy Planning at the US Department of State, offers a candid, insider’s view of how U.S. foreign policy is shaped and often hindered by entrenched bureaucratic dynamics. In this interview, filmed at the Hudson institute in Washington D.C., Eylon Levy and Berkowitz reflect on the global implications of the October 7th Hamas attack and critiques the failure of Western diplomacy to adequately respond to the Iranian-backed threat. He discusses the...
Oct 28, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Send us a text Israel is being attacked by the Iranian regime and its proxy armies on SEVEN FRONTS…. But multiple dimensions. There’s a media war. There’s also a legal war. Lawfare. The way international law is being twisted, legal definitions that only apply to Israel… the weaponization of international institutions. Natasha Hausdorff is a British barrister specializing in public international law, human rights, and national security. Hausdorff has been involved in high-profile legal cases, par...
Oct 21, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Israel: State of a Nation, Eylon Levy is joined by Seth Frantzman, Middle East analyst and author, to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Frantzman provides deep insights into the October 7th massacre, likening it to historical events like Pearl Harbor and 9/11, and examines the broader geopolitical implications for Israel and the West. The conversation covers Hamas’s strategy, the international response, and the enabling role NGO...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Israeli Olympic windsurfing champion, Tom Reuveny. Born in Ramat Gan, raised between Israel and Ireland, Tom’s unique upbringing fueled his passion for windsurfing at a young age. Guided by his coach, Gal Friedman—Israel’s first Olympic gold medalist. Tom shares how his childhood love for the sea shaped his path, his high-adrenaline lifestyle, and how the ongoing conflict in Israel impacted his focus as he competed under immen...
Oct 10, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Send us a text Gregg Roman, Director of the Middle East Forum, join Eylon for an in-depth discussion about Israel's path to victory over Hamas and the broader regional challenges facing the Jewish state. Roman outlines the Israeli Victory Project, explaining why defeating Palestinian rejectionism is crucial for lasting peace. The conversation touches on historical comparisons, including the LTTE in Sri Lanka, the complexities of post-war Gaza governance, and how international perceptions of Isra...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Send us a text Lizzy Savetsky is a leading Jewish influencer and pro-Israel activist. Lizzy started her online journey over a decade ago as a fashion blogger, posting on her blog, Excessories Expert, and Instagram page. Gradually – Lizzy began to share more about her family life, Jewish faith and traditions, and educational content, including “Yiddish Word of the Week” and her daughter’s weekly “Torah Corner.” In 2019, Lizzy changed her handle from ExcessoriesExpert to LizzySavetsky to focus mor...
Sep 27, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Send us a text Eylon Levy vs Mehdi Hasan - Debate of the Century "Were Israel's actions in the Gaza War justified?" Eylon Levy proves: Mehdi Hasan won’t condemn Hamas’s strategy – because he’s part of Hamas’s strategy. This debate between Eylon Levy and Mehdi Hasan took place in New York City on September 21, 2024. It was hosted by Open to Debate and moderated by John Donvan. Eylon Levy is co-founder of the Israeli Citizen Spokespersons’ Office and host of the State of a Nation podcast. He serve...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Send us a text The Druze community are a cherished part of Israel’s cultural mosaic, but ultimately difficult to pin down. A religion that splintered from Islam. An ethnic community that crosses borders but never defined itself as a modern nation. An Arabic speaking minority and some of Israel’s biggest patriots. Mansur Ashkar, a Druze native of Israel. He served as an officer in the IDF’s special forces and was stationed in Gaza before the disengagement. Growing up in a predominantly Jewish tow...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Send us a text “If you were all slaughtered the Arab world couldn't care less and yet The Western media outlets celebrated Haniyeh as a peace loving dove” - so says today’s guest Syrian activist, Rawan Osman. Rawan was born in Damascus, to a mixed Sunni-Shiite family. She came to Germany and encountered a relatively liberal, free society, describes herself as a “recovered antisemite” and when she came to Israel saw everyone of different shapes, sizes and colors, concluding this is a nation to le...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Send us a text When her cousin Omer was abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct 7, Yasmin and her family's life was thrown into unimaginable turmoil. Yasmin opens up about the personal and emotional toll of fighting to bring Omar home, the impact of international activism, and the painful backlash she has faced. From her dreams of his return to her tireless advocacy on campuses and around the world, Yasmin’s story is a powerful reminder of hope and resilience. Join us as we explore the complexities ...
Sep 12, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Send us a text Noa Tishby, a leading voice in the fight against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, sits down with Eylon Levy to dissect the complex and often contentious issues surrounding Israel. In this episode, Tishby addresses the growing influence of the BDS movement, the disturbing rise of anti-Semitic rhetoric on college campuses, and the alarming connections between these movements and terrorism financing. She shares her insights on how Israel is portrayed in the media and the challenges it...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 40
