📌 What it’s about
A weekly podcast hosted by Amanda Borschel-Dan and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, exploring significant topics shaping Israel and the Jewish world.
🕵️ Standing up for hostages’ families
Last week, three women were arrested for distributing flyers with images of six hostages in MK Yuli Edelstein’s synagogue in Herzliya, including Edelstein depicted as a Prisoner of Zion alongside a “Let My People Go” slogan—an evocative reminder of the Jewish people’s struggles in the Soviet era. Edelstein later clarified that while he understands the protests, turning hostages into “currency” to further unrelated goals is unacceptable.
🇮🇱 Supporting hostages through faith
Efforts to support hostage releases are prevalent in most synagogues in Israel, represented through long-standing prayers in standard prayer books dedicated to this cause.
💥 Regional Tensions: A brewing conflict?
The podcast explores whether Israel is on the brink of a low-level regional war, pointing to recent provocations: a ballistic missile from Yemeni Houthis reaching Tel Aviv, a drone from Iraq being intercepted over the Sea of Galilee, and continued rocket fire from Gaza and Lebanon. Rettig Gur discusses the necessity perhaps of this conflict being targeted effectively.
🔥 Why it matters
These discussions highlight Israel’s resilience and strategic challenges. Standing firm on humanitarian values while facing significant security threats reflects Israel’s determination to balance moral obligations with national defense.
🤔 The Big Question this week:
Haviv Rettig Gur delves into what truly matters for Israel now, bringing insights on the political, social, and regional dynamics that currently define the nation’s landscape.
Previous episodes
Catch up on past episodes of “What Matters Now” to stay informed on critical issues. Available on popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.