This week, Unpacking Israeli History is sharing an episode from another great podcast produced by Unpacked: Jewish History Nerds. We hope you'll listen to the premier of season 4: The Star of David-A Symbol That Means Everything—and Nothing. Hosts Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the history of the Star of David, also known as the Magen David or hexagram. What does the Star of David really mean—and how did it become the symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity? From decorative motif to myst...
Apr 11, 2025•37 min
Host Noam Weissman explores the controversial ideas, and long-lasting influence of Meir Kahane—American-born rabbi, founder of the Jewish Defense League, and pioneer of the far-right ideology known as Kahanism. Once dismissed as a fringe figure, Kahane's ideas are making a troubling comeback, echoed in memes, political platforms, and even Israeli policy debates. Noam goes beyond the headlines to ask: Who was Meir Kahane--really? What did he believe? Why do some Jews say he was “right”—while othe...
Apr 02, 2025•45 min
Host Noam Weissman continues a powerful conversation with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian voice offering deep, honest insights into Gaza’s past, present, and future. In part 2, Ahmed shares personal stories, critiques both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, and offers a compelling vision for a post-Hamas Gaza. From the rise of Hamas, the failure of Palestinian governance, and the missed opportunity to build a thriving Palestinian state, to the devastating impact of October 7th, this episod...
Mar 25, 2025•59 min
What happens when a proud American, native Gazan, and pro-peace advocate joins Unpacking Israeli History? In this groundbreaking episode, Noam Weissman sits down with Ahmed Fouad Alkatib for a deeply honest and nuanced conversation about Palestinian history, identity, and lived experience. From Gaza in the 1990s to the legacy of Hajj Amin al-Husseini, Sykes-Picot, and the Nakba, Ahmed offers a powerful, personal perspective. In part 1 of a two part series, Ahmed and Noam discuss everything from ...
Mar 18, 2025•57 min
Host and avid basketball fan, Noam Weissman takes us courtside to one of the most iconic moments in Israeli sports history — Maccabi Tel Aviv’s historic 2004 Euroleague championship win. This isn’t just a story about basketball. It’s a deep dive into how a game became a symbol of Zionism, Israeli resilience, national pride, and cultural identity during one of the country’s darkest chapters — the Second Intifada. From Tal Brody’s legendary "We’re on the map!" speech to Anthony Parker’s dominance ...
Mar 11, 2025•54 min
Host Noam Weissman tackles one of the most complex and debated topics in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this 30-minute crash course, Noam distills over a century of history, including the origins of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration, wars, peace efforts, and the tragic events of October 7. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a clear, no-frills summary, this episode provides the context, nuance, and key turning points that shaped the conflict. Click here for the...
Mar 04, 2025•36 min
Host Noam Weissman reflects on one of the most devastating periods since October 7, 2023-- the past week, which brought us the deaths of Oded Lifshitz and 3/4 of the Bibas family. From the abduction of Yarden, Shiri, and their young sons Ariel and Kfir at Kibbutz Nir Oz to the deceptive handling of their remains, the brutal murders have left an indelible scar on Israel. The episode draws parallels with iconic historical images like Anne Frank and Napalm Girl and honors the legacy of peace activi...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min
UIH wants to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and ideas about the show. Find the survey here. Dive into the story of the 1946 King David Hotel bombing with part two in a gripping series on an event that re-shaped British policy in Mandate Palestine and influenced the future of Israel. Host Noam Weissman unpacks the Irgun’s daring operation, the sequence of warnings and events that led to the tragic loss of 91 lives, and the political fallout. Listen to survivor t...
Feb 18, 2025•31 min
UIH wants to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and ideas about the show. Find the survey here. In the first episode of a gripping two-part series, host Noam Weissman explores one of the most controversial events in Israel’s past: the 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel by the Irgun. Was it an act of terrorism or a necessary step in the fight for Jewish sovereignty? Through historical context, firsthand accounts, and deep analysis, we unravel the complexities of B...
Feb 11, 2025•36 min
UIH wants to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and ideas about the show. Find the survey here. Host Noam Weissman explores the complex and often controversial history of Israeli settlements in the second episode in a two-part series. Noam unravels the strategic, religious, and political motivations behind the settlement movement, from the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War to today. Featuring firsthand accounts, expert analysis, and surprising perspectives from set...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min
UIH wants to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and ideas about the show. Find the survey here. Join host Noam Weissman as he dives into the complex history and heated debates surrounding Israeli settlements. The first installment of a special two-part series explores the immediate aftermath of the Six Day War in 1967 to the ideological motivations of the Gush Emunim movement. Noam discusses how the terms “occupied,” “disputed,” and “liberated” each carry profound ...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min
UIH wants to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and ideas about the show. Find the survey here. This week, host Noam Weissman addresses listeners' questions and dives deep into the controversy surrounding the USS Liberty incident during the Six-Day War. He dissects the facts, debunks conspiracy theories, and explores how these narratives intersect with age-old antisemitic tropes. From historical context to contemporary debates fueled by figures like Candace Owens, ...
Jan 21, 2025•32 min
Unpacking Israeli History is taking a short break. But we are continuing to work on new episodes, including some based your questions, so keep your ideas coming and get in touch at noam@jewishunpacked.com. We will be back in a few weeks. See you in 2025. Thanks for listening. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Je...
Dec 24, 2024•36 sec
This week, we continue our two-part series on the complex story of Arab citizens of Israel, from 1967 to October 7, 2023. We explore the evolving identity of Israeli Arabs, focusing not only on challenges of the past, but also looking ahead at paths to peace, equality, and mutual understanding. Click here for the sources used in this episode. This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History N...
Dec 17, 2024•39 min
Host Noam Weissman explores the intricate, often misunderstood story of Arab citizens of Israel in the first episode of a two-part series. Noam delves into their journey from the Ottoman Empire to 1967 with honesty and nuance, grappling with themes of identity, nationality, and integration. Please tune in next week for Part 2, focusing on 1967 to today. The series invites listeners to consider the compromises and efforts needed to build a truly inclusive and equitable society. Click here for the...
Dec 10, 2024•35 min
This week, we continue our two-part series on one of the most the challenging questions about Israel today: Is Israel an Apartheid state? In the second-part of the series, we’ll dig deeper into East Jerusalem and address the broader historical, political, and social context of this fraught and heated topic. Click here for the sources we used in this episode. ------------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ...
Dec 02, 2024•42 min
This week, we’re diving into one of the most heated and challenging questions about Israel today: Is it an apartheid state? Yeah, it’s uncomfortable—and complicated. In this first part of a two-part series, Noam Weissman unpacks the history of apartheid, walks us through the situation in the West Bank, and lays out the daily realities for both Israelis and Palestinians. No slogans, no “talking points,” just an honest look at the facts—and the feelings—that shape this conversation. Whether you’re...
Nov 25, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this special crossover episode, Noam Weissman shares an insightful conversation from his other podcast, Wondering Jews With Mijal and Noam, co-hosted with Dr. Mijal Bitton. Together, they tackle one of the toughest questions Jewish parents face today: how to approach the complex topic of Israel and antisemitism with children. Noam and Mijal dive into the nuances of Israel education, offering reflections on how their perspectives have evolved over the past year and practical ways to discuss di...
Nov 18, 2024•40 min
In this special Israel Open Mic episode of Unpacking Israeli History, host Noam Weissman is answering your questions! Noam dives into some of the most fascinating and tricky topics in Israeli history—like why some Jews are anti-Zionist, how Israel got tangled up in the Iran-Contra affair, and what the deal is with Jerusalem. He also takes on conspiracy theories, gives a shout-out to Palestinian peace advocates, and shows why empathy can go a long way in understanding tough issues. --------------...
Nov 11, 2024•42 min
In part two, Noam and Haviv tackle the tough questions about Zionism today. They dig into how Zionism is viewed around the world, how it’s taught, and what this means for Israelis, Palestinians, and people everywhere. Noam and Haviv consider whether Zionism has achieved its original goals and how understanding stories of the Other can help build a bridge between communities. Book recommendations: A History Of Zionism, Walter Lacquer The Zionist Ideas, Gil Troy Europe Against The Jews, Gotz Aly I...
Nov 04, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In part one of this two-part series, Noam Weissman and Haviv Rettig Gur dive into the origins and big ideas behind Zionism. They break down what Zionism actually means, where it came from, and why it’s been so central to the Jewish story. Along the way, Noam and Haviv explore common myths, misunderstandings, and the early hopes of Zionist thinkers. Book recommendations: A History Of Zionism, Walter Lacquer The Zionist Ideas, Gil Troy Europe Against The Jews, Gotz Aly Israel, A History, Anita Sha...
Oct 28, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this re-release, we delve into the Oslo Accords, a pivotal moment in Israeli-Palestinian history that promised peace but now feels more elusive than ever. Amidst the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict and regional instability, we explore the complexities, missed opportunities, and enduring challenges that continue to shape the quest for peace in the Middle East. Can we still dare to hope for a resolution? ------------- Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R1WuODAcUUbYGMBnTfD2Yj4N_VR...
Oct 21, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In the immediate aftermath of October 7, 2023, Israel grappled with overwhelming loss and destruction. As Hamas terrorists ravaged border communities, Israel counted its dead, sought its hostages, and began its retaliation. One year later, Israelis are divided on how to confront Hamas while grappling with their internal fractures. From the initial surge of unity bound by grief, a nation now faces both external and internal threats, with Israeli society at a crossroads. As emotions run high, one ...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 8
On October 7, 2023, Israel witnessed a nightmare unfold as Hamas militants stormed the southern border communities, committing acts of unimaginable brutality. In a ruthless attack, Hamas fighters from Gaza unleashed horror on innocent civilians—horrific s*xual a**ault, the slaughtering of 1,300 Israelis, and the kidnapping of over 200 hostages into Gaza. Through the voices of survivors and grieving families of those killed or abducted, this episode brings the unimaginable suffering - graphic, ex...
Oct 07, 2024•56 min•Season 7Ep. 7
In this special episode of Unpacking Israeli History, we break down the unprecedented Operation New Order (Mivtza Seder Hadash), a decisive moment that may reshape the Middle East. As Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is eliminated in an Israeli airstrike, we explore the impact of this historic assassination and its broader implications for Israel, the region, and the world. With insights from Israeli voices and reflections on the moral questions behind targeted killings, this episode dives ...
Oct 01, 2024•33 min
Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been at the heart of a brutal war between Israel and Hamas. But this tiny 25-mile strip's troubled history started long before the current hostilities. Since Israel's capture of Gaza in the 1967 Six-Day War, the strip has been caught in a cycle of conflict, shifting power, and shattered hopes. From occupation to Hamas’ rise to power, Gaza’s turbulent past set the stage for October 7, 2023, when the conflict reached a horrifying peak. This episode kicks off a three...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 6
To appreciate the current Israeli and Palestinian psyches, it’s vital to understand the first five years of the 21st century — the period of the Second Intifada. Noam Weissman gets to the heart of the issue and asks why this serious attempt at peace between Israel and the Palestinians ended in one of the bloodiest periods in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and how the effects of those defining years are still felt to this day. We’re re-releasing this episode due to its continued releva...
Sep 23, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this re-released episode, we examine the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, a tragic and controversial event that continues to shape perceptions of Israeli history and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We explore Israel's complex involvement, the role of the Lebanese paramilitary, and the lasting implications of this event. By re-examining these historical facts with empathy and nuance, we aim to promote deeper, more informed conversations about this and other difficult moments in Israeli histo...
Sep 16, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Eleven months after Oct.7, Israel and the Jewish people are still grieving. Last week we received the terrible news that six hostages were murdered, after surviving for nearly a year. Navigating grief and hope during ongoing heartache and war is extremely complicated to navigate, especially in the wake of such tragic news. In this episode of Unpacking Israeli History, Noam pays tribute to the six beautiful lives taken too soon: Carmel, Almog, Eden, Alexander, Ori, and Hersh. He then shares an in...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 14 min
The 1972 Munich Olympics massacre was a tragic event that deeply impacted Israeli history and global perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As we draw parallels to recent events in a new introduction, we explore the enduring struggle for Israel's security and the haunting resonance of this history in today's volatile Middle East. This episode sheds light on the complexities of the Israeli experience, past and present. The 1972 Munich Olympics was supposed to showcase the face of the ne...
Sep 02, 2024•29 min•Season 7Ep. 1
