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Jonny Gould's Jewish State

Jonny Gould's Jewish State

239 episodes — Page 2 of 5

170: Mark Birbeck, Our Fight UK founder. Why I fight for Israel, the Jewish people and the West

Find more of Jonny's podcasts here. Support his podcast work here. Mark Birbeck’s civic life changed on October 7th. Taken aback by the lack of widespread support for the victims from his fellow Britons, he set about being the change he wanted to see. He founded Our Fight UK to support the Jewish community and Israelis following the terrible events of that morning and the wars and plight of the hostages ever since. With other key figures, notably Kurpa Patel and Iranian dissident Niyak Ghorbani, Mark has fronted protests and counter-protests, challenged boycotts, arms embargoes, and curbs on talking and protesting freely on Israel and antisemitism. He was arrested for displaying a sign labelling Hamas as terrorists, which led to his ban from attending Palestinian-related protests for three months and even talking to Niyak under his bail conditions. But for all the street activism, his faith in British democracy, standards in civic life and policing hasn’t eroded one iota and he engages in dialogue with young Muslims countering him on the streets and seeks out common values with them. He says there are some. Listen for what they are. And in the course of his extraordinary efforts, he’s re-engaged with a pride in our country. Mark is an inspiration and comfort for those of us, including me, I confess - who fear that some of our nation's values have been eroded. Share this episode far and wide, as you listen to Our Fight UK founder, Mark Birbeck. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthrophy. Find more of Jonny's podcasts here. Support his podcast work here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 20241h 1m

169: Survivor: the true story of Ivor Perl’s boyhood journey through the Holocaust

Find more from Jonny here. This is Survivor, an animated film created by puppeteer and cartoonist, Zoom Rockman. It's the story of Auschwitz and Dachau survivor, Ivor Perl BEM, based upon his Holocaust memoir, Chicken Soup Under The Tree. The first screening in London took place in November 2024 and you'll hear Ivor and Zoom reflect on the movie and why it's so important. I’ve had the privilege of having a one-to-one conversation with Ivor at his London home, where he shared his harrowing experiences and reflected on the reawakening of antisemitism today. This is a Lemon Soul film, in loving memory of Jonny Zucker, an inspirational teacher, fantastic children's author, who celebrated reading among kids and envisioned educational ideas such as this movie. The stirring title music was composed and performed by Erran Baron Cohen, who produced musical accompaniment on the night. Listen to the story of Survivor. Find more from Jonny here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 20, 202447 min

168: Mandy Damari: 🎗️ Bring Emily Home. Emily's mum Mandy addresses UK media in Central London

Emily Damari, who's 28, is a joint UK and Israeli citizen and the only living remaining British national held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. On the morning of October 7th, 2023, Emily was in her home on Kibbutz Kfar Azza, 2 miles from the Gaza border, when terrorists entered her house. Her beloved golden cockapoo Choocha was shot dead, Emily was shot and left with severe injuries. She was then blindfolded and kidnapped in the back of her own car and driven into Gaza. Emily's captivity is now well over a year long. Emily's mother Mandy, 63, is a Brit, born in Surrey and grew up with her parents and three brothers in Beckenham, Kent. She visited Israel on holiday aged 20 where she met and fell in love with her husband. Emily is the youngest of four siblings and her mother Mandy says, "her unforgettable smile and cheeky and quick sense of humour light up every room she enters." Emily is a massive Spurs fan and would often plan trips to the UK around a concert or a Spurs game. Tottenham fans have recently initiated the #ShesOneOfOurOwn campaign in her honour. Mandy faced the UK media at a London news conference with an impassioned mesage,🎗️Bring Emily Home. Listen now. She's joined by Lord Stuart Pollak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 5, 202424 min

167: Jotam Confino: Netanyahu, Trump, the future of the Right and reporting Israel's wars

Jotam Confino is one of Israel’s brightest young journalists. Both disciplined and intrepid, Jotam brings together old school standards with open source leads which surround us all on the socials today. The key is to discern which video is real, which source reliable. That’s journalism. Originally from Denmark, Jotam made Aliyah (the Jewish ideal of return) because he wanted to live and work in Israel as a journalist. His career only really began when he moved there in February 2018, when he was 27. He holds an MA in Security and Diplomacy and a BA in International Studies. You’ve seen him writing and broadcasting in The Telegraph, CBS News, BBC, USA Today, Haaretz, The Sun, Daily Mail, Good Morning Britain, Sunday Express - and now Jonny Gould’s Jewish State. He doesn’t shirk the trolls on social media either. He’s Happy to debate online. And we got together while he was here in London on a book tour. “Netanyahu’s Israel: Rise of the Far Right” is a collection of interviews with key figures since 1996, and offers the reader a rare look behind the scenes of some of Israel’s most historic moments of recent decades. It’s on Amazon. Let’s talk about being a Jewish and Zionist journalist. In the overwhelming anti-Israel tirade of mass media, has his commitment to objective reporting relented into defending Israel? Is there anything wrong with that? What are the tunnels like? And Netanyahu: can he survive to the end of his term, could he ever win without the right wing of his coalition? Oh, and will the new Trump Administration turn the tide for Israel. Are the mullahs day’s numbered in Iran? Let’s meet Jotam Confino. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 2, 202449 min

166: "Midas Man", the Brian Epstein movie. Screenwriter, Brigit Grant tells the story of "the fifth Beatle" and the film

Follow the rest of Jonny’s podcasts here Brian Epstein is one of the most significant cultural figures in Anglo Jewry’s 20th century. Midas Man is the fifth Beatle's story. Also from Liverpool, Brian saw the fledgling Fab Four performing at the Cavern one lunchtime, was bedazzled by them and went about masterminding their rise to global fame. He crafted their image, secured their first record deal, and so heralded the British cultural invasion of America. Brigit Grant wrote the screenplay for "Midas Man” highlighting his journey from family department store heir to one of the most influential music managers of all time. But behind the glitz and glamour was a man seeking acceptance and love, but not able to get it. Midas Man peels back the curtain on the swinging '60s, the triumphs, heartbreaks, and secrets of the man who changed the face of music forever. Brigit popped round my house, we put the kettle on and had a good chat about Brian and the movie. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. Follow the rest of Jonny’s podcasts here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 27, 20241h 8m

165: Andrew Fox: What will Trump's return mean for Israel, Iran, Turkey, the UN, UNIFIL and UNRWA?

What is “strategic drift” and why does it threaten Israel’s military progress in Gaza? How dismantled is Hamas? How can Israel’s borders be secured so that the people of Sderot, Ofakim and the kibbutzim return home? Is Israel going to have to build a wall? In the north, the IDF is capitalising on some remarkable early breakthroughs in the battle to break Hezbollah. What now? As Yoav Gallant is sacked by Benjamin Netanyahu - again, is that a signal of military progress? And the return of President Trump to the Oval Office: what that will mean to Israel’s fight against Iran and its proxies. These are all questions for my friend, Andrew Fox. Research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, Andrew served in the British Army for sixteen years, retiring as a Major in 2021 As a senior lecturer in War Studies and Behavioural Science at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, He holds degrees in Law & Politics, Modern War Studies, and Psychology. It’s always good to speak to Andrew Fox. Jonny Gould's Jewish State couldn't do it without the support of Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 202439 min

164: Imshin 3: Life after Sinwar. Hamas steal scores of food aid trucks to cling onto power. They choose who gets what. Profits pay salaries.

"An urgent ceasefire, get humanitarian aid in without further delay, release the hostages. Oh, and let's move towards a Two-State Solution". When we switch on the news, that's the agenda-setting drumbeat from politicians, aided and abetted by international institutions and their media lackies. The unrepentant, unaccountable BBC and others don't care about the mess they leave. Welcome back for the third time to Jonny Gould's Jewish State, Imshin, Jacqui Peleg. Her sources are impeccable, transparent and open source and they tell the REAL story in Gaza. Because they come from videos uploaded to social media by Gazans themselves. This is how they want us to see and hear them. They’re all available now on her X account, Imshin. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 4, 202442 min

BONUS EPISODE: Mosab Hassan Yousef, "The Green Prince" addresses the European Parliament

Find more of Jonny’s podcasts and writing here. Israel is fighting an existential war on seven fronts but an eighth one always seems to be discounted from the reckoning. It’s the battle of narratives, played through media, both legacy and social. Somewhere since October 7th 2023, the truth has been trampled down a long deep rabbit hole. What you’re about to listen to is totally irreconcilable with the shorthand, throwaway phrases you get from mainstream bulletins. Mosab Hassan Yousef, born in 1978 is a child of the Israel Gaza conflict. He’s "The Green Prince," son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, co-founder of Hamas. Raised in a family deeply entangled with Hamas, Mosab seemed destined for a life of terrorism. But he defected to Israel in 1997 and worked as a spy for Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service for a decade until he moved to the United States. He helped them prevent numerous suicide bombings and other terror attacks leading to the capture of several Hamas operatives. His autobiography, "Son of Hamas," details his life, his disillusionment with Hamas and his espionage. He converted to Christianity too, distancing himself from his roots still further - adding a layer to his own transformation. Not enough delegates turned up to the European Parliament in Brussels to listen to him and he declares his disappointment at the start of this speech - so let's gets his stark message out still further. Share this episode to your friends. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. You can also help Jonny by supporting him here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 202441 min

163: Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum meets David Green: Schools Podcaster of the Year

This is a rather different and special episode of Jonny Gould’s Jewish State. It's year 2 of our “Schools Podcaster of the Year” award, presented this year by Dangoor Education. It stars our winner, 11-year-old David Green from Year 6 at North West London Jewish Day School, who won the chance to make this episode with me. David has the open mind of a young man blessed with great intelligence and the capacity for profound uncluttered insights. And he secured time for us with Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum, a man of great learning. His latest book is "Questioning Belief: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt”, reconciling Judaism with modernity, addressing profound questions that intersect faith, science, and contemporary life. He’s Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) and holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, named in honour of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory, our late Chief Rabbi’s' legacy in contemporary Jewish philosophy and education. With the Dangoor Education “Schools Podcaster of the Year”, I'm encouraging the next generation to think seriously about journalism and storytelling - not just to take in the TikTokers and YouTubers. And the word is spreading, a second school is joining the title chase. So if you’d like yours to have a separate competition, have a word with your head and put them in touch with me. Here is Rabbi Zarum with competition winner, David Green. The podcast series is supported by UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy Help Jonny to continue making these podcasts: buy him a coffee here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 22, 20241h 0m

162: Brendan O'Neill: "After the Pogrom": Why do young and educated classes cheer on Hamas?

Support Jonny's work here. “After The Pogrom” - what now for Israel and the Jewish diaspora? And for western civilisation for that matter? The swirling dust of conflict has brought with it significant changes to our world and yet amid Israel’s fight on seven fronts, Brendan O’Neill’s coherent methodic analysis explains what we’re witness to. Brendan’s not on X, you’ll only find “burntoakboy” as he’s known on Instagram “because the rest of social media is far too rough and ugly” for him. And it’s where since October 7th 2023, he’s been ever present with stout, sometimes uncensored defences of the State of Israel. You’ve seen him writing for Spiked Online and on TV and radio. But he’s no Johnny Come Lately: he’s not jumped on the Israel bandwagon. In our first interview here on Jonny Gould’s Jewish state in 2020, Brendan compared the Jewish and non-Jewish people’s takeaways from the Second World War. While Europeans declared that to end all wars, we needed “happy clappy borders”, Jews on the other hand recognised that secure borders were absolutely essential to our survival. How right he’s proved to be. Scroll back to episode 51 for a gripping interview during the Brexit and Covid years. But right now, recorded on this most poignant date in our recent history, it’s always a pleasure to spend time with Brendan O’Neill. Buy “After The Pogrom” here. And you can help support Jonny's efforts by following this link. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 202453 min

161: Irit Lahav, Survivor of the Kibbutz Nir Oz massacre on October 7th: "An old boat oar and a Dyson vacuum cleaner saved my life"

Help Jonny make the podcasts: buy him a coffee here. Amid the IDF's push into Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah, the thwarting of terror attacks on Israel’s streets and the hail of rockets fired into them, we must always, always keep in our minds the plight of our hostages incarcerated by the savages of Hamas and their accomplices in Gaza. For it was on that fateful Shabbat and Simchat Torah morning of October 7th 2023, that the lives of Israeli and Jewish people around the world changed forever. Free the hostages. Bring them home now. Let’s go back to where it all started. As chaos broke out all around her, our guest today relives the moments of sheer terror that morning, but her words are laced with a message of future hope and delivered with tremendous dignity. This is Irit Lahav, survivor of the Kibbutz Nir Oz disaster as she revealed how she survived, while her dearest friends were murdered or taken hostage around her. Also, when and why she wants to go home and why it’s so important for the country as a whole that she does. Help Jonny make the podcasts: buy him a coffee here. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 6, 202423 min

160: Joe Walsh, the lifelong Republican who wants Kamala to win and wishes "to retire and die in Israel"

If you like Jonny's podcasts, support by buying him a drink or make him a monthly donation with Gift Aid. Here’s a voice from the American right, steeped in generations of support for Israel and so recognisable through the decades. But times, they are a changing, even for this staunch supporter of the Jewish State. Joe Walsh remains so, amid the swirling winds of university protests for Hamas and rallies in major cities right across America. But even as a former Congressman, a lifelong Republican, he strenuously opposes Donald Trump so much, he’d prefer Kamala Harris to win the White House - whatever their differences, and take it from there. Elected as part of the Tea Party wave in 2010, Joe freely admits he was a "divisive political asshole from the right!", Joe served Illinois's 8th district, for two years until 2013. His rhetoric and demeanour has cooled since those days. Now he says he’s politically homeless and says America is ready for more than a two party system. Joe ran for the presidency in 2020 challenging President Trump for the Republican nomination, positioning himself as a critic of Trump’s leadership, focusing on what he saw as his undermining of American democracy. In a two party system, Joe knew he was a long-shot, his aim was more to critique Trump than to win the nomination. Listen to how Trump’s MAGA message differs so fundamentally from the Tea Party movement he was part of and what he’d do in the Oval Office if he was in charge of dealing with Israel. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. If you like Jonny's podcasts, support by buying him a drink or make a monthly donation with Gift Aid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 29, 202441 min

BONUS EPISODE: Netanyahu’s extraordinary speech to the UN General Assembly

bonus

Find more of Jonny's podcasts right here. Even as aerial assaults continued over Lebanon’s capital city Beirut, rumoured to be targeting Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave an impassioned speech to the UN General Assembly in New York. Here’s the full speech on this bonus episode. In his address to the 79th session of the General Assembly, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized several critical issues: Iran and Regional Security: Netanyahu positioned Israel's actions within a broader context of combating what he described as Iran's "axis of evil," highlighting ongoing conflicts and the threat this poses to Israel and regional stability. Gaza Conflict: With the Gaza situation nearing its one-year mark, Netanyahu likely addressed the military operations, defending Israel's actions while possibly facing international scrutiny over civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns. Lebanon and Hezbollah: Amidst concerns of escalating conflict, Netanyahu's comments on returning northern residents home suggest a focus on ensuring security while potentially signaling intentions for de-escalation or at least a strategic pause in hostilities. Global Perspective: His speech might have touched on the broader implications of AI and technological advancements, reflecting on both opportunities and perils, though this would be more speculative based on past themes rather than confirmed content. International Relations: Given the backdrop of his controversial visit to the US earlier in the year and international reactions, Netanyahu might have defended Israel's policies, while also navigating the complex web of international diplomacy amidst calls for peace and criticism over his handling of conflicts. Jonny Gould's podcasts are supported by UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 27, 202439 min

159: “Iran is a paper tiger, we must eliminate Hezbollah”, Benjamin Anthony, veteran of the 2006 Lebanon War.

Find more of Jonny’s podcasts here: https://podfollow.com/jonny-goulds-jewish-state How should Israel tackle Hezbollah and its estimated 150,000 rockets all pointed at them? Is pushing the Lebanon’s terror insurgency back behind the Litani River enough? In this era of long range technology, isn’t a river just an arbitrary line? The terrorists can still reach Israel from there. Hezbollah is a battalion of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Wouldn’t it be best if they were removed completely? Let’s talk about the sheer audaciousness of the pager and walkie talkie attack against them, the psychological effect of it and the downgrade in their military capabilities. Then there’s Yemen, is America doing enough to quell their threat? And boots on the ground in Syria: Israel is showing it can defend itself - even thousands of miles into enemy territory. And is Iran, the country hiding behind its deathly proxies only a "paper tiger" after all? Benjamin Anthony served in the Israel Defense Forces in the second Lebanon War during the summer of 2006, Like now it was a war started by Hezbollah's attack on Israeli forces: they captured two soldiers and killed eight others. israel declared war. Benjamin’s experiences and insights from then have influenced his later life. He’s also a veteran of Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 and Operation Protective Edge in 2014. He’s now the CEO and cofounder with Rozita Pnini of the Miryam Institute, debating Israel’s future, engaging with international policy-makers. He also hosts a weekly podcast, the Benjamin Anthony Show, where alongside Miryam Institute’s in-house analyst Yaakov Lappin they consider in detail the very latest military and diplomatic issues facing Israel. It’s available on this very platform where you're listening to my show now. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Follow Benjamin on X at http://x.com/benanthony1948 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 21, 202442 min

158: Fleur Hassan-Nahoum: Israel's wartime economy with the Trade & Innovation Special Envoy. Coping with wars on seven fronts.

You can help Jonny by buying him a coffee here! I’ve known Israel’s Trade and Innovation Special Envoy, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum for so long. which is why it was a pleasure that she had time to stop by and join me for a chat and a phone-in on my early breakfast show on Talk. Having moved on from being Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Fleur now beats the drum for Israel’s famed enterprise as the Startup Nation, but how has the economy adjusted to wartime? Can growth and inward investment be restored? And as Israel faces new military challenges, necessity is proved again to be the mother of invention. There are always secondary uses for technology in civilian life. Are new patents and processes in the offing? We discuss UK Labour's Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his restoration of funding for UNRWA - then following it up with an arms embargo. My viewers didn’t like it. Also: the threat from the north: Hezbollah - and Israel's displaced population and when they can go home. The war is far from over. And the hostages: Bring them home now! Jonny Gould's Jewish State is brought you with the support of Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 13, 202439 min

157: Tuvia Tenenbom's Careful, Beauties Ahead! A year with Israel's ultraorthodox communities

Jonny would love your help. If you buy him a coffee while looking through all his previous interviews, do it right here. They told Tuvia Tenenbom, don’t go to Mea Shearim, Jerusalem’s ultra orthodox enclave, it’ll be dangerous, they’ll throw stones at you. But after living among Israel’s Charedi communities in Jerusalem and Beer Sheva, Tuvia found the community to be quite the contrary. And, he believes they’re more liberal and progressive than the world beyond. This is the story behind Careful, Beauties Ahead! Tuvia’s follow up book to the Taming of the Jew, eyeopening revelations on antisemitism is in Great Britain. Now Tuvia, son and grandson of ultraorthdox rabbis returns to the communities of his upbringing and childhood in Israel. Have attitudes and practices changed in the years since he left? We talk about new pressures on the ultrareligious to join the IDF for the first time - and we unpack what Zionism means to them. And did the disaster of October 7th prove a truly unifying experience? Was it the realisation that finally, finally we are all the same? Using his fluent Yiddish, Tuvia gained trust to produce this one-off guide to a world he calls “of wisdom, humour and contradictions”. So poised with a packet of slims, Tuvia lights up ready for our interview. Enjoy this unique selection of stories from Israel. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Jonny would love your help. You can buy him a coffee while scrolling through all his previous interviews, right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 4, 202445 min

156: Paul Martin: "I knew Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader assassinated in Tehran. He jailed me in Gaza".

Jonny needs your help to battle the wave of anti-Israel media coverage. Do you want to help his podcast counter this? Donate here or buy him a coffee here Find all of Jonny's previous episodes here. Who was Ismail Haniyeh, Leader of Hamas? He was assassinated in Tehran on the last day of July 2024 and buried in Doha two days later. He's been branded a "moderate”, but was in charge of Hamas’ so-called political wing, who’s murderers, rapists and kidnappers pillaged - and filmed - their way through southern Israel on the Shabbat morning of Simchat Torah on October 7th. It was the biggest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Slain on Iranian soil in their capital city, Haniyeh’s financiers were deservedly humiliated. A resident of billionaire's playground Doha, the capital of terror-supporting state Qatar - he was in Tehran for the inauguration of their new president. The last one, of course, was killed in a helicopter crash. Haniyeh met the Ayatollah, they tweeted a resistance photo, he then went back to his guest house and was taken out in his bedroom with his security guard. So what was Ismail Haniyeh like? Well, he loved sport for kickoff, fitting that he should be eliminated before end of the Paris Olympics. Here’s someone who knew him. I’m delighted our latest guest joins a list of distinguished guests to have graced Jonny Gould’s Jewish State. Paul Martin is an exceptional international journalist and correspondent, making it his business to report from the most hostile territories - in the name of journalistic freedom. He spent 26 days in Hamas jail in Gaza and Haniyeh knew he was there. Did it help Paul that he knew he was in his prison? Who helped him get released? Even arch anti-Zionist Archbiship Desmond Tutu called for his release! Paul was subjected to mental torture and tried the “Hamas diet”, where he lost two stone in weight during his incarceration. Yet he also experienced exceptional levels of human kindness from a fellow inmate. You'll hear how he thought quickly on his feet to avoid deathly danger. And even when the British consulate promised freedom, he wasn’t sure whether it was a Hamas trap leading to his execution. I interviewed Paul on the day Evan Gershkovich was freed in a Russian prisoner swap. Listen out for his statement to the waiting media as he walked to freedom into Israel. But would he ever return? Would his wife let him? This is Paul Martin's 26-day story as a Hamas prisoner in Gaza Intrepid doesn’t cover it! Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. Jonny needs your help to battle the wave of anti-Israel media coverage. Do you want to help his podcast counter this? Donate here or buy him a coffee here Statement from the interviewee: Paul Martin is an independent and unbiased international journalist. He has no connections whatever with the people who interview him or with the platforms on which those interviews are transmitted. He stresses that on Mideast affairs he talks to and presents reportage to outlets of a very wide variety and by speaking he is not endorsing any of the views or biases of any of these platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 6, 202458 min

155: Major (Ret.) Andrew Fox : "Iran could have FIVE nuclear warheads in THREE weeks". So what's stopping them?

Subscribe/follow Jonny Gould’s podcasts here The October 7th War in Gaza is the longest war in Israel’s history. But how to grasp the nettle that is Hezbollah? What will “the day after” really look like in Gaza?: are the oil rich gulf states the answer to a more moderate Palestinian state? How soft have the West been on Iran? Is dethroning the theocracy in Tehran the key to an Islamic reformation? Is Britain’s foreign policy reset really pondering between Qatar and Saudi? And is it a Hobsons choice anyway? And as President Trump dodges an assassin's bullet, we roll-call the achievements of his first administration, from the Abraham Accords to the Jerusalem embassy and ask what else can be achieved in a second term? Retired Major Andrew Fox is a Research Fellow at The Henry Jackson Society. He served in the Army for sixteen years, with three tours to Afghanistan, one of them with US Army Special Forces. He was in the Parachute Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group. There were also tours in Bosnia, the Middle East, and Northern Ireland. He retired in 2021. Andrew then leveraged his huge experience into academia, as a senior lecturer in the War Studies and Behavioural Science at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He holds degrees in Law & Politics, Modern War Studies, and Psychology. Let’s have a word on David Lammy, British Foreign Secretary who once dubbed President Trump, "a neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath, a profound threat to the international order that’s been the foundation of Western progress for so long!”. He marched with Sadiq Khan in protest at his UK visit. Is that the same President Trump who dodged death by millimetres, where aggressive opposition rhetoric is seen as the trigger to political violence? Is it the same President Trump, who produced the biggest diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East? Striking a decisive blow IN FAVOUR of western progress in a troubled region? This is Major (Ret.) Andrew Fox. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. Subscribe/follow Jonny Gould’s podcasts here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 202434 min

154: Ivor Perl: Auschwitz and Dachau survivor, "I paid a terrible price for being Jewish, but how can I break the chain?"

Find the rest of Jonny's podcasts right here. This is Ivor Perl, survivor of Auschwitz and Dachau. Born Yitzchak Perlmutter, in a family of 11 in Mako, Hungary in 1932, Ivor’s youth and education was stolen from him in 1944. His orthodox Jewish childhood was stable enough, but there were always antisemites who slapped and pushed him about on the way to school - but it got far worse during World War II, because the Nazis began targeting Jews in Hungary. In 1944, when he was just 12, Ivor, along with his whole family, were abducted and put on a train to Auschwitz. Out of his family, only he and his brother Alec survived the mass murder, a fact that Ivor attributes to his brother's quick thinking and the binary luck of being placed in a line that spared him from immediate death. After surviving Auschwitz, Ivor and his brother were taken to Dachau, where they were liberated by American soldiers in 1945. Ivor, who turned 13 during his time at Dachau, recalls marking his bar mitzvah day all alone behind barbed wire, a poignant moment in his life because as you’ll hear a religious child would have prepared what he would say on his barmitzvah day for years. But he never got the chance. He came to England at 13 in 1945, lucky to be alive - but as an orphan, alongside his brother Alec. He lives in North London, but with a visceral mourning for the parents, sisters and brothers that never made it here with him. Ivor spent many years quietly building a life for himself and his family, working in the textile industry. He didn't openly share his experiences of the Holocaust for nearly 50 years, only beginning to speak about it to help others understand the horrors of the past. Even his transfer to England was cloak and dagger after the Nazis had been vanquished, as you’ll hear how the early Zionist pioneers wanted to take him and other children to Mandate Palestine instead. Forgive me if some of my questions are a little direct about his most haunted and delicate of memories - but this like other Holocaust interviews on Jonny Gould’s Jewish State is a testimony for the ages. It’s a privilege to have known people like Ivor, even in my own family. To meet and speak one-to-one with Ivor Perl has been humbling to say the least. Chicken Soup Under The Tree, his life memoir is available via the Lemon Soul website Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. Find the rest of Jonny's podcasts right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 8, 202452 min

153: Manuel Valls, France's former Prime Minister describes the threat of extremist politics to the French Jewish community (en Français)

Our guest today is France’s former prime minister, Manuel Valls. We met at the European Jewish Association delegation to Auschwitz. France has the biggest Jewish community in Europe and it's the only country outside the Middle East where Sephardim outnumber Ashkenazim. Undoubtedly, this is a legacy of the Holocaust and the subsequent migration of French-speaking Jews from North Africa after World War II. Notre invité aujourd’hui est l’ancien Premier ministre Français, Manuel Valls, rencontré à la « European Jewish Association delegation to Auschwitz ». Manuel Valls est un fervent défenseur de la communauté juive de France et décrit les problèmes de la société française dans cet entretien informel, enregistré lors d’une pause-café entre les séances où il intervenait. M. Valls a souhaité mener l'entretien en français afin de respecter la nature précise de ses convictions. J’ai bien entendu accepté, conscient de l’auditoire nombreux francophone ici à Londres, en Europe et au Canada. Nous avons parlé du Premier ministre français, Gabriel Attal, évoqué par certains comme l'héritier d'Emmanuel Macron - ce qui a fait sourire Manuel Valls puisqu’il a lui même été considéré comme tel par le passé ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 3, 202410 min

152: Imshin returns: "Hezbollah isn't Hamas, it's much stronger. As a family, we're planning for war”.

Back by popular demand, Imshin returns to Jonny Gould’s Jewish State Scroll back and listen to our first episode, an introduction to Imshin, real name, Jacqui Peleg. Imshin’s feed on X with the famous hashtag, #TheGazaYouDontSee is a phenomenon of the social media era. And what Jacqui achieves couldn’t have existed before Twitter, YouTube and TikTok. Because such a specific subject via these video news sources, couldn’t have been so constantly delivered in real time. It’s now so readily available via the socials. So Jacqui lifts the lid on the real lives of Gazans, through their own eyes, via thousands of videos shot by Gazans themselves. And as a news source, it’s impeccable, complete transparency of source. Jacqui lives in Tel Aviv, and grew up in Liverpool before making Aliyah with her family as a child. But now there’s the threat of a second front opening. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Israelis from the north and the south are living in hotels in the middle of the country. As the threat of an escalation in the north hangs over the rest of Israel, we talk more about how the wars affect Israelis at home and preparation for a wider conflict. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. You too can support Jonny's time making these podcasts in support of Israel and the Jewish diaspora by buying something as simple as a cup of coffee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 28, 202428 min

S2 Ep 5Iran's War on Israel: Conricus on Iran nuclear threat, Bibi arms wrestle with Biden, sex crimes on October 7th

This is the latest on Iran’s War on Israel, produced and presented by Jonny Gould. All of the soundbites you’ll hear in this bulletin are compiled from interviews in episodes of Jonny Gould’s Jewish State podcast. Subscribe and follow now and scroll down for previous episodes - wherever you get your podcasts. The headlines: Israel faces full military confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon because of a significant escalation of tensions. The IDF’s Chief of Staff meets with Arab counterparts in Abraham accords ally, Bahrain, while operations against Hamas continue in Rafah, 2 of the 4 remaining battalions are eliminated. And Yemen’s Houthis increase their aggression against merchant shipping in and around the Dead Sea while announcing further joint strikes on Haifa and Ashkelon with Iranian-linked Iraqi Shia militias. You’ll hear from Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus on how close Iran is to completing their long term ambition of making a nuclear bomb. Ayelet Razin Bet Or, a criminal lawyer at the State Attorney's Office on the gender-based violence committed by Hamas on October 7th. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accuses the US of withholding weapons, but the US reply, “we don’t know what he’s talking about". Find the rest of Jonny's podcasts right here, where you can also support him with a morale-boosting coffee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 19, 202425 min

151: Dean Furman and Michael Sweetney: fighting antisemitism and racism in sport with the MAX Project

Help Jonny by buying him a coffee here and seeing his other podcasts too Our two guests today are professional sportsmen from two different continents, cultures and sports, united in countering antisemitism in the sports industry. They’re part of Project Max, who’s MD Eric Rubin was with me in Amsterdam at the European Jewish Association conference, where he moderated a session on fighting antisemitism, racism and intolerance alongside Dean Furman, who played internationally with South Africa and Michael Sweetney, NBA Star for the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. Dean was one of only four professional Jewish players plying their trades in the English game during his career. At one point three of them were teammates together at Oldham! You’ll hear about that. And Dean had a great career, starting off as a youngster at Chelsea, joining Rangers in Scotland with spells at Oldham, Doncaster and in South Africa with SuperSport United. Dean was born in Cape Town and left for Edgware as a child with his family, went to JFS. He made his Bafana Bafana debut - against Brazil - in São Paulo! Opposite Hulk, Neymar, David Luiz Oscar and Marcelo. Also with us in Amsterdam was ex-NBA star, Michael Sweetney, who cuts a striking 6 ft 8 inches tall and 348 lbs. Mike's now assistant coach of the Yeshiva University Macabees Men's basketball team and head coach of the girls varsity team at New York's Ramaz School. This is a mensch in full flight. Listen closely to his humility and in particular to the education he got at home from his own father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 16, 202437 min

S2 Ep 4Iran's War on Israel: Hostage stories and reaction plus the latest with Jonny Gould

Subscribe and follow Jonny Gould's Jewish State podcast now and scroll down for previous episodes. Jonny is back with the latest on Iran's war on Israel including the moment the IDF came to rescue the "diamonds", the code word for the hostages incarcerated in Gazan hell since October 7th. All of the soundbites you’ll hear in this bulletin are compiled from interviews right here - in episodes Jonny Gould’s Jewish State podcast. The IDF continue its operations against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah launches drone attacks against Hurfeish and Nazareth in northern Israel and four soldiers from the elite Givati brigade are killed in a booby trapped building in Rafah. Stay tuned for comment on the plight of the remaining hostages and what the Arab world should do about Hamas - from former Entebbe hostage, Benny Davidson plus Emily Schrader on why the Iranian public love Israel. We also hear from Izhar Lifshitz, the son of two of the oldest hostages Yocheved who’s 85, released on October 23rd and Oded, 83 who's still in Gazan captivity. And the emotional rollercoaster experienced by Orit Meir, mother of Almog Meir Jan during the agonising months not knowing whether he was dead or alive. Support Jonny and buy him a coffee here while looking through his wide variety of previous episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 13, 202429 min

150: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus: #AllEyesOnRafah: How has the world been reduced to this?

“All eyes on Rafah”: The AI generated graphic shared by 50m people on Instagram, spread by slebs like Dua Lipa, Lewis Hamilton and Gigi and Bella Hadid. How has the world been reduced to this?” It’s a near total disconnect with the reality of the Gaza War. The Ayatollah is prolifically tweeting including antisemitic tropes about Jews running the media. But does Iran have Israel where it wants them, in a cycle of “forever war”? How must Israel change to get out of a perpetual state of war? Does it start with pushing Hezbollah back north of the Litani river? Iran has enough material for 13 nuclear bombs. They haven’t got the bomb yet. But if not now when? And as Norway, Spain and Ireland declare for Palestine, is this down the weakness in support for Israel by the Biden administration? These are questions for Jonathan Conricus, now retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the IDF, nowadays with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, he focuses on the Middle East. Jonathan enjoyed a distinguished career serving as a combat commander in Lebanon and Gaza, a military diplomat, a foreign relations expert, and an international spokesperson for the IDF. Born in Jerusalem in 1979, Jonathan spent his early years in Malmo before his family moved back to Israel when he was 13. He joined the IDF at 18 and served for 24 years, retiring in 2021. This episode is presented with the cooperation and support of ELNET UK, a bipartisan, cross-party international organisation working to advance UK-Israel relations based on shared democratic values and strategic interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 1, 202427 min

S2 Ep 3Iran's War on Israel Latest News Bulletin

Iran's war against Israel emerges from behind its terror proxies across the Middle East. Since Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israel, Jonny compiles and hosts a regular news bulletin rounding up major stories as the Middle East conflict is being realised as the Iran-Israel War. These regular bulletins expose the Iran Octopus as the prime mover in the Middle East conflict. The top stories in this bulletin. We hear from Yoseph Haddad with an unequivocal rebuttal of the accusations pointed at the IDF for the civilian deaths in Rafah. Norway, Spain and Ireland join the European chorus in proposing to recognise a Palestinian statehood, which Israel calls a reward for the brutal terrorism of October 7th. As Hamas takes its last stand in Rafah, Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas take a fresh barrage of rocket fire from the south of Gaza. The IDF complete a 40-hour counter terror strike on Jenin and Iraq continues to emerge as a drone and missile threat to Israel's east. We hear from Jason Greenblatt, Emily Schrader and Imshin AKA Jacqui Peleg. All of the soundbites from world-class experts are compiled from interview episodes of Jonny Gould's Jewish State podcast. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. To support Jonny's coverage of October 7th from Israel's perspective, make a donation or buy him a coffee here or here - Thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 202417 min

149: Alex Deane: running to be Finchley and Golders Green's next MP on July 4th

You’ll know Alex Deane if you’re a regular news channel viewer. A regular commentator and reviewer on Sky News, BBC’s dateline London and GB News, he says couldn’t stand idly by in an era where the conviction politician might stand an electoral chance to buck the trend. And Alex is standing in Finchley and Golders Green, Margaret Thatcher’s seat made vacant by Mike Freer, hounded out of public life when his constituency office was burned down. He was also the original target of assassin Ali Harbi Ali, who murdered fellow Tory MP for Southend West, Sir David Amess. Alex was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 2005 and served as Chief of Staff to David Cameron when he was Shadow Secretary of State for Education. He’s also an historian and author of "Lessons From History" uncovering great heroes who history have forgotten but who helped shape the world we live in now. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared just hours before - with the poll set for July 4th. Finchley is a big constituency stretching from Cricklewood Broadway, lapping at the shores of Whetstone, so if you’re an N or an NW, listen up, this is Alex Deane. You can help support Jonny's podcast production and check out the rest of his podcasts right here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 24, 202433 min

Iran's War on Israel Latest News Bulletin with Jonny Gould

Iran's war against Israel comes fully out of the shadows. Since Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israel, Jonny compiles and hosts a regular news bulletin rounding up major stories as the Middle East conflict is being realised as the Iran-Israel War. These regular bulletins expose the Iran Octopus as the prime mover in the Middle East conflict. The top stories in this bulletin: The Butcher of Tehran Raisi is killed in a helicopter crash, the IDF continues its operations in Rafah as the ICJ issue war crimes arrest threats against Hamas AND Israel's leaders and the execution of a Jewish Iranian man is put on hold in Tehran. We hear from Benjamin Netanyahu, Imshin AKA Jacqui Peleg, Meir Javedanfar and Ruth Wasserman Lande. All of the soundbites from world-class experts are compiled from interview episodes of Jonny Gould's Jewish State podcast. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. To support Jonny's coverage of October 7th from Israel's perspective, make a donation or buy him a coffee here or here - Thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 202423 min

148: #TheGazaYouDontSee: @imshin reveals the REAL Gaza: how Gazans see themselves through their own videos

The mainstream news channels are stuck in a tiresome stream of programmes which you know misrepresent Gaza and Israel. That ignore key facts and amplify voices from just one side (with honourable exceptions, of course). The world’s media would have you believe Gazans are helpless, living in an overcrowded prison camp, unable to escape their predicament, sitting ducks to Israeli aggression. It couldn't be further from the truth. Hamas leadership need the bleeding hearts of Europe aided by mass media to continue underwriting UNRWA and other NGOs which only extend the war another day, year or even longer. But when you strip away the Hamas videos, ordinary Gazans don’t view themselves as victims at all. They’re resilient, creative, great cooks, they eat good quality meat, fruits and vegetables. Wouldn’t you if you lived off the Mediterranean coast? How do we know? They upload hundreds of videos about themselves, their lifestyles and their views, freely available for all to see. And here’s Imshin who chronicles it all, a voice you certainly won’t hear on mainstream news. She doesn’t suit the story. It’s a great shame because her sources are impeccable and transparent. Our guest today describes herself as an amateur Gaza watcher, her highly valuable resource is documented on Twitter or X under the handle, Imshin. Imshin, real name Jacqui Peleg paints a vivid picture of Gazan society through the eyes of the people themselves. There’s revelatory detail in every answer from Jacqui, including the accidental superstar Mr Fafo who went from little known YouTuber to worldwide attention. You’ll hear how Joe Biden’s lack of support over Israel’s Rafah mission only helps to bolster Hamas inside Gaza. This is a gripping interview from start to finish, full of insightful observations and detailed revelations. This is “The Gaza You Don’t See”. This is Imshin, Jacqui Peleg. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. You can help support Jonny's podcasts too right here when you buy him a coffee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 20241h 2m

147: Dr. Meir Javedanfar: What's it like for the Jews who STILL live in Iran?

What’s it really like in Iran - for its citizens and the Jews who still live there? Iran’s major cities, Tehran and Isfahan still have functioning synagogues, but the communities have declined sharply since the Islamist revolution which shapes the world today. Let’s discuss today's Iran with someone who really knows it. This is an interview conducted in Israel just a matter of weeks before October 7th. During the heady late summer days of weekly judicial reform rallies, this is Dr Meir Javedanfar. He was born in Tehran to a family from the city of Isfahan. Meir Javedanfar is an Iranian-Israeli lecturer, author, and commentator. He's taught Iranian politics at Reichman University in Israel since 2012. He is the coauthor of Ahmadinejad’s biography, “The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran". He has published many articles on Iran and Iran-related matters for Foreign Affairs, Al-Monitor, The Diplomat, The Guardian and others. He's guest lectured at more than 20 universities and his Ph.D dealt with Mohammad Reza Shah’s security decision-making in relation to threats posed by Iraq and the Soviet Union. Eight months after his bar mitzvah in 1987, Meir and his family moved to the U.K as Jewish refugees from Iran. He remains a committed Anglophile, he never quite left the English sense of humour behind, so listen out for a Basil Fawlty joke! Whatever the status of the JCPOA in the wake of Iran’s first ever direct assault on Israel, he told me he supported it - and said Israeli military experts in the know did too… Why? And he took part in the Iranian Revolution in 1979 - yes really! - but seven Jews were killed and the Persian Jewish population collapsed from 100,000 under the Shah to where it is today: a paltry and declining 7,000. So why was there a revolution in 1979 in the first place? The mullahs are wary of their own people, scared of American soft power, led by the threat of feminism. This really is a fascinating interview which deserves the light of day, its own episode. This is Dr Meir Javedanfar Ph.D. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. If you'd also like to support Jonny's podcast work, you can find all his episodes and buy him a coffee here - or make a bigger donation here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 202421 min

Iran's War on Israel Latest News Bulletin presented by Jonny Gould

Iran's war against Israel comes fully out of the shadows. Since Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israel, Jonny compiles and hosts the first of a regular news bulletin rounding up major stories as the Middle East conflict is being realised as the Iran-Israel War. These regular bulletins expose the Iran Octopus as the prime mover in the Middle East conflict. All of the soundbites from world-class experts are compiled from interview episodes of Jonny Gould's Jewish State podcast. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. To support Jonny's coverage of October 7th from Israel's perspective, make a donation or buy him a coffee here or here - Thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 202417 min

146: Neturei Karta: what are they for?

See Jonny's broad range of interviews and support him with a coffee right here or by making a donation here. You’ve been on protests and rallies countering the never ending anti-Israel hate marches in London. You look on wondering why Saturdays in central London are allowed to become the domineering space for terror supporting hordes and their throngs of useful idiots, as they snake past the splendid museums, jaunty theatres, flagship stores and centuries old architecture which talk of deep British traditions. Tolerance of protests is an expression of our freedom and values. But our free country and its values must be allowed to survive. President Macron outlawed them in France immediately after October 7th. He looks wise in retrospect. And then across the road amid the Palestinian flags and disgusting antisemitic placards, you see men you recognise with long coats, big hats, payot, beards and white socks. The inexplicable Neturei Karta, the ultra orthodox anti Zionists, who literally side with the deathly enemy. It’s one thing to be a religious Jew and believe Israel can only exist from the messianic age onwards. It’s quite another to flirt, to consort with those who chirp for Israel’s destruction. To support Iran and its proxies. And as you’ll hear they actually believe they’re safe standing with these terrorist supporters - and believe antisemitism started with the Zionist movement and the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. These are the most, extreme and unpleasant views ever expressed in Jonny Gould’s Jewish state but I believe we have broad enough shoulders to take this dissent from an extreme minority - and put it in its place. And that place is in the dustbin of the wrong side of history. So I walked through the police cordon and stood with the repugnant Islamist agitators and hatemongers with their Palestinian flags and covered faces and confronted the frummers. I must confess I left them, with a feeling of despair because of the sheer treachery and lack of faith in what was said to me. I ran a poll of regular listeners to see whether I should even run this as an episode. The result was 2/3 to 1/3 in favour of running it. So here it is. You’ll hear two members of the sect. Jacob Miller and Alte Hochhauser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 3, 202413 min

S2 Ep 2Iran's War on Israel Latest News Bulletin with Jonny Gould

Iran's war against Israel comes fully out of the shadows. Since Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israel, Jonny compiles and hosts the first of a regular news bulletin rounding up major stories as the Middle East conflict is being realised as the Iran-Israel War. These regular bulletins expose the Iran Octopus as the prime mover in the Middle East conflict. All of the soundbites from world-class experts are compiled from interview episodes of Jonny Gould's Jewish State podcast. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. To support Jonny's coverage of October 7th from Israel's perspective, make a donation or buy him a coffee here or here - Thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 1, 202417 min

145: Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis: "If you're a rabbi and everyone loves you, you're not a rabbi and if you're a rabbi and nobody loves you, you're not a mensch!"

This is a rather special episode featuring a competition winner from North West London Jewish Day School who won the chance to make an episode of Jonny Gould's Jewish State. Awareness of news and current affairs is certainly heightened by the pressure of social media - so imagine a young person growing up in this day and age. I ran a competition for the pupils of Year 6 and I said to the class, “get me an interesting interviewee and write down the questions you’d like to ask them”. I was delighted that 11-year-old Maya Amit stepped up to the plate and secured time with the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who invited us to his home. This episode is presented with Lemon Soul in loving memory of the late Jonny Zucker, a born educator, children’s author and primary school teacher, who also trained as a radio journalist. His mission was encouraging children to read, he visited school after school, library after library. With thanks to the Chief Rabbi for giving us his valuable time at home, to competition winner Maya Amit and mum Raquel. To Miss Caplan and Mr. Radomsky at North West London Jewish Day School and to Nigel Canin and all at Lemon Soul, a publishing house from EdTech company, 2Simple, in loving memory of the late, great Jonny Zucker. Jonny, I hope you’d be proud of this initiative x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 202429 min

S2 Ep 1Iran's War on Israel News Bulletin

Iran's war against Israel comes fully out of the shadows. Since Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israel, Jonny compiles and hosts the first of a regular news bulletin rounding up major stories as the Middle East conflict is being realised as the Iran-Israel War. These regular bulletins expose the Iran Octopus as the prime mover in the Middle East conflict. All of the soundbites from world-class experts are compiled from interview episodes of Jonny Gould's Jewish State podcast. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. To support Jonny's coverage of October 7th from Israel's perspective, make a donation or buy him a coffee here or here - and thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 23, 202414 min

144: Ruth Wasserman Lande: “Iran’s mullahs have held the Iranian people hostage since 1979”

If you'd like to support Jonny's work, you can buy him a coffee here. The Islamic Republic of Iran emerges from behind the regional proxies it's used as pawns until now to take direct action against Israel. Over 300 suicide drones, ballistic and cruise missiles targeted Israel from multiple fronts from Iran, as well as Iraq, Syria and Yemen. 99% were intercepted, mostly outside of Israel's airspace by Israeli, British, American, French, Saudi and Jordanian forces. So what tactical change by Iran does this signify? Have they ramped up a level towards their endgame, the step-by-step systematic, premeditated domination of firstly the Middle East - and then the world. Ruth Wasserman Lande is former MK for the Blue and White Party, she served as advisor to Shimon Peres and as Deputy Ambassador at the Israeli embassy in Cairo. Her parents arrived from Soviet Lithuania. They lived in Ashdod before moving to South Africa. Then she decided to make Aliyah and return to Israel. Since October 7th, she’s addressed groups of parliamentarians from across Europe and hasn't held back telling them in graphic form about the extreme violence, burning, shooting, raping and murdering of civilians on that terrible morning. I caught up with Ruth in London as the European Jewish Association organised a tour of Jewish community leaders in London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. Hear why she says the IDF should go into Rafah and finish off Hamas once and for all as well as what Israel should do with Iran. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is brought to you with Dangoor Education Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 14, 202437 min

143: Amichai Chikli: "October 7th has created a reset for world Jewry. There is an awakening of the Jewish spirit"

Support thirsty Jonny here with a coffee Jonny also produces and presents 🍎 number one hit podcast, 🎙️Jonny Gould’s Jewish State. Follow now at this link: This is Israel’s minister of the diaspora Amichai Chikli, with me in Krakow, just a short distance from Auschwitz, where we’d journeyed together with other international leaders as part of a European Jewish Association delegation. We were all there for a symposium on antisemitism in Europe called, "Never Again: Lip Service or Deep Commitment?" Also among the notables, former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who pushed back in our interview on Polish Holocaust denial on Polish soil - and Elon Musk, in conversation with Ben Shapiro - and coming soon on Jonny Gould's Jewish state, former French prime minister Manuel Valls, who conducted our interview in French. Amichai tells us that October 7th is a reset for the House of Israel to achieve a new unity and awareness and pride in Jewish identity. He pays tribute to individuals within American Jewish leadership, who recognise the dangers of the university campus, where words lead to violence. And we talk of prospects for peace: where it’ll come from and through the worst days of Israeli-American diplomacy, how Israel must prevail over Hamas. So that “Never Again is Now” doesn’t lead to a Never Again tomorrow. This is Amichai Chikli, Israel's minister of the diaspora. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education: Jonny also produces and presents 🍎 number one hit podcast, 🎙️Jonny Gould’s Jewish State. Follow now at this link: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 202420 min

142: Emily Schrader in London: "shocked at tolerance of antisemitism" and Benedict Spence: "happy days ahead for Bibi?"

Support thirsty Jonny here with a cup of coffee. Emily Schrader returned to London for a whistlestop tour of speaking engagements and appearances and attend street protests in solidarity with Britain's Jewish community, embattled by the unrelenting pro-Palestinian hate marches which never seem to end. Listen to how she deals with the antisemites on the streets of London and how she views the over tolerance of Islamofascism spreading fast across the West. Emily appeared on my Talk TV early breakfast show alongside news commentator and foreign policy expert, Benedict Spence as we discussed fears of escalating tensions caused by Hezbollah from Lebanon, why they haven't started a full-scale war yet and why "happy days" could be ahead of Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. But can he survive until November to get there? Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 4, 202431 min

141: Col. Richard Kemp: "The UN, US and UK just threw the Israeli hostages under the bus"

The war started by the October 7th massacres is the longest in Israel's history. But with rockets still being fired from Gaza into Israel’s southernmost city of Sderot and a first Houthi rocket landing further south, what next steps are open to Israel - and what of the deteriorating relationship with the United States? Our esteemed guest today is Col. Richard Kemp, commander of British Forces in Afghanistan and Chair of the COBRA Intelligence Group, coordinating MI5 and MI6 during the London bombings of 2005 and the Bali and Madrid terror attacks. Richard joined the Army the day after he left school and spent thirty distinguished years in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Bosnia, as well as Afghanistan. He always delivers new insight into war commentary and this discussion is no different. Col. Kemp hails the success of the Shifa Hospital campaign in northern Gaza as “the single largest and most successful operations in the war so far". The IDF killed around 140 terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as arresting around 650 additional terrorists. He describes the evacuation of a million or more civilians sheltering in Rafah as possible - and explains how instead of moving Gazans north into cities like Khan Yunis, why Egypt could so easily solve the refugee issue - but won’t. Not forgetting our hostages? Where are they? How can they be rescued? Israel has never been more on its own. Richard says Hamas has only been emboldened by the UN Security Council resolution, which called for a ceasefire and for the freeing of hostages, but to Israel’s fury did not hinge the ceasefire demand on freeing them. But there is a military alternative to going into Rafah. With world opinion led by the UN and the Biden Administration squarely against Israel finishing off Hamas on their terms, Richard explains the options open to Israel which you're not hearing about in the media. You’ll hear it here. Plus the unreported cooperation between Israel and Egypt, who also share a border with Gaza beyond Rafah. This episode is presented with the cooperation and support of ELNET UK, a bipartisan, cross-party international organisation working to advance UK-Israel relations based on shared democratic values and strategic interests. Our discussion is led by ELNET UK's CEO, the Rt. Hon. Joan Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 202459 min

140: Avi Issacharoff, Fauda co-creator: "October 7th has restored pride and understanding that antisemitism won't win this time. We're the good guys""

Support Jonny's podcast here, buy Jonny a coffee! For 20 years, Avi Issacharoff has been an accomplished Israeli author and journalist and now he's emerged as the internationally renowned television drama producer, the co-creator of hit TV series of Fauda. How has October 7th changed Israel? Every family has been affected and Israel has become one big family. Avi’s Fauda family too. Do we have the stomach for another series, isn’t it just too close to home? And while the world from the White House down to the United Nations and the depths of the BBC is seemingly waged against the Hamas endgame, Avi restates Israel’s position: the war could be over now. Fauda’s cut through about Israel’s plight to a watching world more strongly than any factual news report seems to. What does Avi put that success down to? And who is Fauda’s best actor? Find out right here! Buy Jonny a coffee! Support Jonny's podcast here Find more of Jonny's video and audio podcasts here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 18, 202433 min

139: Einat Wilf in London: Israel SHOULD demand the Palestinians declare, “our war with Israel is over”

Support Jonny's podcast here, buy Jonny a coffee! It’s always a pleasure to see Einat Wilf, here again on a whistlestop tour of London, she met with politicians of all parties at the Houses of Parliament, plus journalists and Jewish leaders and their communities. And it’s her clarity which is arresting. She elevates Zionism above politics, creating unity for Jews of every stripe to coalesce around. Not to mention the millions of non-Jews who believe in the Jewish people’s right to self determination too. And she’s been on a metaphoric journey too. Originally from the peace camp, she believed like so many right across the political spectrum in surrendering land for peace - but today - we all face the chilling reality of October 7 to show what Palestinianism is really about. They keep telling us, she says. Let’s believe them. Einat, who co-authored The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace, with Adi Schwartz, believes Israel needs to negotiate with pre conditions Listen up to hear what they are and if there really are Palestinian partners in peace. With thanks to the Anglo Israel Association. Jonny Gould’s Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 29, 202428 min

138: Loay Alshareef in London takes your calls on TalkTV and rejects claims of "Israeli land grabbing"

Loay Alshareef came on my TalkTV show to talk about the peace which remains between Arabs and Jews despite the October 7 massacre by Hamas terrorists in Israel. And it’s good news. The Abraham Accords which bound the UAE, together with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan with Israel in September 2020, remains steadfast and though the pogrom exacted on Israel is a “setback”, the opportunities for peace are still there. Loay has become a good friend since he invited me to Abu Dhabi in 2022 and it’s always a privilege to spend quality time with him discussing pragmatic ideas for peace in a world consumed by hostilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 25, 202444 min

137: Loay Alshareef in London: "It’s bad news for the enemies of peace”

Support Jonny here. Loay Alshareef has been on quite a journey. Growing up in Saudi Arabia and brought up a religious Moslem, he was exposed to antisemitic schooling about Israel and the Jews. “Jews are the fierce enemies of the Arabs and you shouldn’t have them as friends. Christians too. But first, Jews.” Loay was part of a generation of young Saudis who stood no chance. Isolated from the world, taught to hate. It still goes on - although less so. But the poisoning of his young mind was challenged when he visited France with the Accord school, a homestay program in Paris so he could learn French. He was housed with a Jewish family. Initially he refused, preferring to be with a Tunisian Arab family. But in the end, he stayed with the Jewish family. His host Rachelle of Yemeni tradition said, “stay with us a couple more days”, and so began a journey to conciliation. But it started with confusion. These people are nothing like what he’d been told. Rachelle was a good person, so were the Koranic texts about Jews wrong? Loay was introduced to “The Protocols of the elders of Zion” at 15 and was told it was a book brought in from Egypt as a text “the Jews don’t want you to read”. Two weeks and two Shabbats later, Rachelle took him Kosher shopping. He was included in Pesach and Chanukah celebrations, a first hand education in Judaism. He went home, told his mum. Mum said” I’ll give you two months, you’ll come to your senses!”. 14 years on, it was the catalyst to a new world and mum supports his stance on social media. Loay travels the world as an ambassador for his country of residence, the UAE and for Muslims. He tweets in Ivrit as a fluent speaker, quotes the Torah and Tanach and wants to pursue a PHD in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It’s a pleasure to have spent hours and hours in Loay’s company. We talk candidly with the tape on and off. I try to get my head round the tribal differences between the Arabs, it gives me a headache, especially when he says even the Qataris want Israel to win the War in Gaza and I ask him about the UAE’s support for the South African case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. It’s a frank and fascinating discussion with one of the Gulf’s most important voices. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. Support Jonny here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 202433 min

136: Nicole Lampert: I confronted Gary Lineker in public about his Palestinian tweets

If I'd been asked which journalist might one day confront Gary Lineker face-to-face about his views on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, I might well have said, "it's going to be Nicole Lampert!", such is her journalistic courage. And so it was, as Nicole and a small handful of other journalists were invited to a Broadcasting Press Guild Lunch to hear from Lineker about his burgeoning podcast business. The Press all introduced themselves and Lineker admitted to feeling scared. He was right! He'd retweeted a BDS demand to ban Israel from international football. He took it down later amid a brou-ha-ha. Nicole asked him why he'd broken the BBC's social media rules. The usually polite and deferential event suddenly took a turn. There was clapping at the end of Gary's presentation, but Nicole didn't join in the applause, so Gary went to look for her. We take up the story in this fascinating episode. If you like these podcasts, you can support Jonny here with a coffee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 202429 min

135: Itamar Marcus: UNRWA, the worst thing that ever happened to the Palestinians

Support Jonny here. Itamar Marcus is the founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, started in 1996 to monitor the consensus of the Palestinian world. They started reading the papers for the views of their leaders and found school books and television programmes indoctrinating children in Jew hate. But with 75% of Palestinians supporting Hamas’ October 7 massacres with 60% “extremely supportive” and 98% “feeling a sense of pride as a Palestinian”, what future peace for Israel? This episode discusses the damage UNRWA has done to peace in the Middle East and also includes Hillel Neuer’s stunning testimony to the US Congress about the UN agency’s complicity in Hamas terror. Jonny Gould’s Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 6, 202445 min

134: President Reuven Rivlin of Israel defies Poland's Holocaust Remembrance laws on Polish soil

Support Jonny here. In this exclusive interview, Reuven Rivlin, the tenth president of Israel pushes back on Polish law on remembering the Holocaust in Krakow. President Rivlin was among world leaders in politics and industry at the European Jewish Association’s delegation to Auschwitz-Birkenau and taking part in a symposium on the growing threat of antisemitism in Europe, entitled NEVER AGAIN: Lip Service or Deep Commitment? Also with us, former French prime minister Manuel Valls, a strong voice against antisemitism and Israel’s minister of the diaspora, Amichai Chikli. In 2018, Poland amended their domestic laws on National Remembrance to penalise speech in public laying responsibility for the Holocaust to Poland or the Polish nation. There was international outcry, relations between Israel and Poland were frozen. Israeli school trips to Poland’s death camps were suspended. The tours are back now - although the law still applies. Poland was the first country invaded and occupied by Adolf Hitler. Members of Poland’s resistance and government-in-exile did try to warn the world of the mass killing of Jews, thousands of Poles risked their lives to do so. However, Holocaust researchers have collected overwhelming evidence of Poles who murdered Jews fleeing the Nazis, or Polish blackmailers who preyed on helpless Jews for financial gain. Nearly all of Poland’s roughly 3 million Jews, were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators, and the major Nazi death camps were in Poland. And in telling the truth with me in Krakow, the president challenges Polish law directly. President Rivlin’s a Jerusalemite and says it gives him a unique skill in dealing with allcomers in Israeli society, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, Armenians, Druse, you name them. As a new Polish government contemplates overturning the laws of a previous administration, Reuven Rivlin tells it like it is. Enjoy this conversation with Israel’s tenth president. Jonny Gould’s Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 28, 202432 min

EXTRA: Elon Musk and Ben Shapiro return from Auschwitz with their first impressions

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Support Jonny here. Elon Musk returns fresh from visiting Auschwitz and here are his initial reflections. He’s interviewed by Ben Shapiro. I’m with him and other delegates in Krakow at the European Jewish Association symposium. The episode starts with a stirring Holocaust Kadesh, recited by EJA Founder and Chairman, Rabbi Menachem Margolin. It was called "NEVER AGAIN: Lip Service or Deep Commitment?" Among the world leaders I managed to speak to are former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who pushes back on Polish Holocaust denial, former French prime minister Manuel Valls, who conducts our discussion on in French, and Israel’s minister of the diaspora, Amichai Chikli. This is my recording of Elon Musk’s interview from inside the conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 22, 202449 min

133: Haviv Rettig Gur and Jonathan Spyer: “Deathblow” to Hamas would aid Gulf vision for stability

Support Jonny making his podcasts by buying him a coffee. How has the October 7th massacre challenged Israeli public opinion on the conflict with the Palestinians? What about 'day after' planning? Has it seriously begun? And does peace lie with the Gulf states? Just how much do the Saudis and the UAE want Israel to win? Who in Palestinian society is there to deal peace with? Is there anyone? Has the Israeli left anywhere left to go? Is war from Lebanon inevitable? While the Houthis, another Iranian proxy, bomb western ships in the Suez Canal, how many fronts could this war open? Is the escalation so inevitable that Iran joins the fray directly? Russia in Syria, Iran’s land bridge there. Let’s update that too. Why is it imperative that Israelis from both the north and south return to their towns and kibbutzim? Two of Israel’s leading journalists and analysts join me here in London thanks to Elnet UK, a bipartisan, cross-party international organisation, who stand above politics, working to advance UK-Israel relations. We go deeper into the conflict, wading through the hardship, to try to find a route to a better day. Haviv Rettig Gur is a senior analyst for The Times of Israel. He’s covered the politics, foreign policy, education and relationship Israel has with the Jewish diaspora for 20 years, he served as Director of Communications for the Jewish Agency and taught at the best pre-military academies in Israel. He was a correspondent at the Jerusalem Post. Jonathan Spyer is Director of Research at the Middle East Forum and edits the Forum’s journal, the Middle East Quarterly. He has reported from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Ukraine and back home including in Gaza and Judea and Samaria. LISTEN NOW for a in-depth analysis of today’s Middle East and hopes for a better tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 17, 20241h 2m

132: "Golda": producer Nicholas Martin, "We knew we were winning when Assad shot his generals"

Help support Jonny's coverage of Israel and the Jewish diaspora by making a donation here or you can buy him a coffee here. Our guest today is Nicholas Martin, movie producer and writer of the biographical drama, “Golda”. Golda was seven years in the making, and as you’ll hear, Nicholas has delved so deeply into her story - and by extension Israel’s story from independence to the 1970s - which makes this such a captivating interview. He’s also made deep friendships with Golda’s family and throughout Israel. A highly experienced and talented filmmaker who’s become a world authority on the period, but didn’t know a great deal about Israeli history before he started. Nicholas’ previous film was the hilarious, Florence Foster-Jenkins. Golda also stars Liev Schreiber as Henry Kissinger and Camille Cottin as Lou Kadar, Golda's assistant. Our episode music has just been composed in support of Israel by my friend Bryan Edery with concert violinist Miriam Kramer. He’s called it “Israel in my Heart, ner Tamid”. Thank you for allowing it to be our beautiful episode theme tune. I’d been talking to Nicholas about an interview for two years, before we eventually sat down in his London home for this considered and emotional discussion. I want to thank Nicholas for being such an open interviewee. This is one of the best. You can buy "Golda" on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Sky Store, Microsoft Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Rakuten TV, Apple TV, Sky Store, Curzon Home Cinema online. Jonny Gould’s Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 3, 20241h 26m

131: “Another How To Make Peace In The Middle East" TalkTV Special

This is “Another How to Make Peace in the Middle East", building on the success of the first Talk TV Special, with more highly informed guests from the worlds of politics, the military, frontline medicine, journalism, diplomacy and think tanks. In this episode, British-born Israeli hand and trauma surgeon, Dr Elliot Sorene explains how he's operated on Hamas fighters, who after successful surgery have "promised to see him on the battlefield". He also tells us how his son survived the Nova Festival massacre and saved other’s lives too. Hen Mazzig is a former IDF humanitarian soldier, who insists his experiences in Judea and Samaria give him belief in a path to peace from the younger generation of Palestinians. Jonathan Sacerdoti reveals yet more evidence of human shields and Gazan tunnels. Barak Seener has troubling statistics on just how radicalised the Palestinian population is and the extent to which hearts and minds must be changed after the war with Hamas is won. And Benjamin Anthony believes the war against Hamas is long overdue and needs to be prosecuted to the very end, but with the equal commitment of rescuing the Israeli hostages who remain incarcerated in Gazan hell. The response to the first show was instant thanks to social media and included an incredible response on YouTube, where my interview with Dr Einat Wilf has attracted approaching 400,000 views. This is ANOTHER How to Make Peace in the Middle East. With thanks to everyone at TalkTV, who give me this vital and valuable platform to discuss hopes for a better day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 20232h 18m