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As the IDF moves into a ground invasion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and the toll on Palestinian lives continues to grow, Israel’s military actions are garnering greater criticism from world leaders. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi reflect on how this war is being judged on the global stage, and whether Israel’s initial public position as victims of the October 7th attacks is best serving its cause today. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.

On Tuesday, February 13, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid demanded that Ultra-Orthodox Jews be drafted into the army, a long-debated move that if enacted would formally end the de-facto blanket exemption for roughly 15% of the country’s population. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi dive into the Haredi ideology behind their separatism and avoidance of military duty at a time when Israel needs them most. Mentioned in this episode: https://www.timesofisrael.com/footage-shows-hostages-being-rescued-from-hamas-captivity-in-daring-rafah-operation/ This episode is sponsored by Marshall Zola. Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS

On Tuesday, Hamas countered Israel’s ceasefire proposal with a sweeping offer to return all remaining captives from October 7 and beyond­–those alive and the remains of those who perished–for what amounts to a near-total dismantling of the IDF’s military effort in Gaza. Could the country accept a hostage deal that would essentially forfeit the goal of eliminating Hamas’ military power?  This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi grapple with the impossible position faced by Israel: choosing between the Zionist imperative of self-defense and the Jewish imperative of pidyon shvuyim (redemption of captives).   JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.    Go deeper on this subject with scholars from the Hartman Institute: Read Mikhael Manekin’s essay in Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas On Redeeming Captives Watch Elana Stein Hain’s session on The Mitzvah of Redeeming Captives

A staggering 38% of Israelis support post-war Jewish resettlement in the Gaza Strip, exemplified by a discordantly jubilant conference on Sunday, January 28 led by right-wing activists, ministers, and lawmakers including Itamar Ben Gvir and Betzalel Smotrich. Why do so many Israelis want to undo the 2005 Gaza disengagement, and why are some of them celebrating this moment?   Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack the layers of motivation driving this sentiment, the consequences it could have to Israel’s unity, the peace process, and the genocide case at the Hague, and what the Israeli political center can do in response.   JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.   Mentioned in this episode: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/38-of-israelis-back-reestablishment-of-gaza-settlements-poll/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/12-ministers-call-to-resettle-gaza-encourage-gazans-to-leave-at-jubilant-conference/

On Friday, January 26, the International Court of Justice stopped short of calling for an immediate, unilateral ceasefire, and instead ordered Israel to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and prevent and punish incitements to genocide. Is this a vindication or a setback for Israel as the world awaits a final verdict in the Hague? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi reflect on the trial and the shift in behavior by Israel’s government since this ruling. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.

A month ago, the prospect of Palestinian statehood was a distant fantasy for most Israelis. Now, as hostages continue to languish in Hamas captivity and the IDF’s progress in Gaza tapers, the war-weary public has polled in favor of a regional deal, brokered by the U.S., that would ensure a two-state solution in the near future. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi express their reactions, reservations, and predictions regarding this so-called “grand bargain” between Israel, the Palestinians, and their Sunni Arab neighbors, and imagine what this transformative peace would mean for a nation deeply scarred by the atrocities of October 7th. Mentioned in this episode: • The poll of Israelis in favor of a deal to tie release of hostages to Palestinian statehood JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.

After months of an intensive ground invasion, the IDF is entering “phase three” of the war with Hamas. Yet the original goal of eliminating the Hamas regime in Gaza remains distant and security for Israel seems elusive. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss whether the goal posts have shifted and if the Israeli public can endure a protracted war to achieve lasting security.   JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.

This week, shortly after the IDF suffered one of its heaviest losses of life in Gaza, the International Court of Justice in The Hague will hold hearings brought by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide. Is this antisemitic handwaving or will this serve as a legitimate arena to judge Israel’s methods in this war? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the shock of these hearings on the nation’s psyche, what is at stake in this trial, and how statements by Netanyahu and his coalition government may implicate Israel in this damning charge. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.

On Monday, the Israeli Supreme Court struck down the reasonableness clause, a key element in the highly disputed judicial overhaul by Netanyahu’s right-wing government. Will this landmark decision reignite pre-October 7th disputes in a country that was on the verge of a constitutional crisis? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the ongoing fight for Israel’s democracy, how the trauma and tragedy of the war have become politicized, and whether the current feeling of national unity can be maintained amid the resurging political discourse. In this episode: Talmud Yevamot on the rabbinic prohibition against the Jewish people splitting into factions.   Other resources: The Reasonableness Clause - For Heaven's Sake | Podcast on Spotify   JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.

Israel’s domestic support for the war remains strong despite growing global calls for a ceasefire. With mounting international pressure to end defensive action, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore why this conflicts with what many Israelis feel is the moral, political, and military reality given that the threat from Hamas extends beyond the borders of Gaza.      JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS    Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.        It’s Time for the U.S. to Give Israel Some Tough Love Thomas L. Friedman 

After the war is over and the guns are silenced, what kind of moral and political accounting will be needed? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the national discourse shaping and dividing Israeli civil society, their hopes for the future of Gaza, and their vision for a new Middle East.      ----    JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS    Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more. 

On Friday, December 15 the IDF shot and killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza while they were raising their arms in surrender and waving white flags. The soldiers misidentified these Israelis as terrorists. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi express their sadness and heartbreak as they consider how this grave incident underscores the internal debate about saving the hostages or winning the war. They also examine what this tragic error says about IDF tactics as well as the combat strategy and terror ploys the IDF are facing.     JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS    Sponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.