Unholy: Two Jews on the News

Get more out of Unholy: https://unholy-podcast.lovable.app/ In this special Pesach episode, Yonit and Jonathan discuss seder traditions and those who had to change due to the war. They are joined by Tom Holland — historian and co-host of The Rest Is History and author of landmark books on Rome, Persia, and the roots of Western civilization — to explain why the Romans were wrong about the Jews, why the West fundamentally misunderstands Iran, and why secularism is itself a religious inheritance. From Cyrus the Great to the Iranian Revolution to Donald Trump, this is the episode that puts the present moment in full historical context. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please note that an (authentic!) alert sound is heard twice throughout the episode. Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/UdhHLAquwgs Follow Unholy and learn more about the pod: https://unholy-podcast.lovable.app/ The fourth week of the war with Iran finds both sides insisting—loudly and contradictorily—that peace talks are either underway or nowhere in sight. In the meantime, Iranian missiles continue to hit civilian neighbourhoods across Israel, while rolling news blurs day into night, tracking both the war itself and the political manoeuvres that show little sign of slowing down. And in London, another antisemitic attack raises uncomfortable questions about double standards when it comes to hatred directed at Israel. This week, Yonit and Jonathan sit down with Jake Sullivan, who puts it bluntly: this war should not have started. Sullivan lays out three reasons why the decision was flawed, argues that Donald Trump’s “appetite grew with the eating” from the 12-day war to the current escalation, and offers an alternative path—a renewed nuclear deal backed by long-term deterrence. He also raises a troubling possibility: could this conflict increase the likelihood of Chinese action against Taiwan? Plus: a rare look behind the scenes of Israel’s most-watched news broadcast, as Yonit reflects on what it means to sit in the anchor’s chair for hours on end—and the personal toll it takes. 00:00 Day 27 — Cluster bomb near Yonit's house 03:00 Life under sirens: sheltering in Tel Aviv 19:48 The Rubio remark: did Israel drag America into war? 23:28 Yonit on anchoring Israel's news during a war she's living 31:23 Jonathan: global antisemitic attacks since the war began 42:06 Jake Sullivan: deal or escalation? 1:15:16 Chutzpah & Mensch Awards Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/dhvM7lnkO88 Follow us on social media and get more Unholy content: https://unholy-podcast.lovable.app/ This morning, Donald Trump posted something that might — or might not — mean the US-Israeli war on Iran is coming to an end. A five-day pause on strikes. Secret talks via Pakistan and Turkey. Kushner and Witkoff on the American side. A shadowy Iranian speaker being cast as the pragmatist the US has been searching for. This is a special emergency episode of Unholy, recorded on 23 March 2026, as events were still unfolding. Jonathan and Yonit break down the two scenarios — deal or larger war — and why Trump's exit ramp looks nothing like Netanyahu's. They also turn to the daily wave of antisemitic attacks across Europe and North America since this war began, including last night's arson on four Hatzalah ambulances in Golders Green, London. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Update Episode 01:02 Trump's Social Media Post and Its Implications 03:40 Negotiations and Mediating Efforts 08:29 The Role of Iran and Potential Outcomes 13:30 Israel's Position and Concerns 16:26 Rising Anti-Semitism and Community Safety Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HeoVvd294Ww Follow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://unholy-podcast.lovable.app/ Day 20 of the US-Israeli war on Iran — and it's becoming a war of attrition. In the meantime, Europe refuses to lend its ships, daylight emerges between Trump and Netanyahu, and Joe Kent's antisemitic conspiracy theory gets the full debunking it deserves. Amos Harel, Haaretz's military affairs correspondent, joins Yonit and Jonathan for a deep dive. What does the assassination of Ali Larijani — Khamenei's right-hand man — actually achieve? Is the war drifting from plan A toward something no one planned at all? And why is Netanyahu now talking less about regime change and more about Israel as a "world superpower"? And we turn to you, our listeners, with your most pressing questions about anything between life and war. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/vQ0o0F07o2k Subscribe to get bonus episodes, read more about the team, and catch us on every platform we're on! > https://bit.ly/unholy-podcast Naomi Alderman on Substack: look at me. I’m here. I’m the ultimate product of Hitler’s defeat: https://naomialderman.substack.com/p/look-at-me-im-here-im-the-ultimate Day 13 of the war with Iran — and the conflict just got bigger. Overnight, 200 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon. Hezbollah, which many believed had been neutered, is back. This week, Yonit and Jonathan take stock of a war that is growing, not winding down. They're joined by General David Petraeus — former CIA Director, commander of coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and one of the most clear-eyed voices on American military strategy. Petraeus breaks down what the US and Israel have actually achieved so far: missile launches are down over 90%, air defenses have been dismantled, and over 6,000 targets hit. But the new Khamenei? "We wanted a Delcy Rodriguez," he says. "We got a young Kim Jong-un." And he's blunt about what comes next: Iran's a million men under arms, and nobody has a clean exit. Then: a very different conversation. Jonathan talks to novelist and broadcaster Naomi Alderman about why she thinks Marty Supreme is the most intensely Jewish movie she's ever seen. Plus: the Mensch and Chutzpah awards return. The Academy of Hebrew Language gets hacked by Iranians. Their response? Perfect. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/LhbZcQUOjts Subscribe to get bonus episodes, read more about the team, and catch us on every platform we're on! > https://bit.ly/unholy-podcast As the war between Israel and Iran enters its second week, daily life in Israel has settled into a strange and exhausting rhythm. Yonit describe what it means to live under constant missile alerts: sleepless nights, families moving between shelters, and a country running on collective exhaustion. They also unpack two major developments shaping the conflict. First, the mixed and sometimes contradictory signals coming from Donald Trump about how long the war will last. And second, the sudden leadership change in Iran, with Mojtaba Khamenei emerging as the successor to his father. To make sense of it all, they speak with Professor Ali Ansari of the University of St Andrews, one of the world’s leading historians of Iran. Ansari challenges much of the conventional analysis around the war and the future of the Iranian regime. Could the Islamic Republic actually be weaker than many assume? Is regime change truly impossible—or simply unpredictable? And if change does come, what might it look like? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/zNwIQcrIMDs Recent update episodes: War with Iran day 4 - Living under fire (March 3) Khamenei Is Dead. What Now for Iran? - with Dr. Suzanne Maloney (March 1) US and Israel strike Iran; Khamenei reported dead - with Amos Harel (Feb 28) America and Israel are at war with Iran. non-stop sirens in Tel Aviv, the Gulf states are under fire, and the Trump administration is hit by a barrage of tough questions in Washington. This week, Yonit and Jonathan take stock of a historic and disorienting first week. Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, joins to assess the war from the outside: Trump shifting justifications for war, Israel's military logic-- and who will fill the regional power vacuum if Iran is weakened. And: Jonathan reports from Sydney, where he visited Bondi Beach and spoke to a Jewish community still shaken by the shooting in December — and Yonit, running on five nights of no sleep, describes what it's actually like to stop your car on the side of a highway when the sirens go off. Also: a wedding in a shelter, four floors underground. 0:00.000 Chapter: US & Israel war against Iran - day 6 22:31.671 Chapter: Shifting Justifications for War 25:22.534 Chapter: Israel's Strategic Calculus 28:27.274 Chapter: Changing Dynamics in American Support 31:12.981Chapter: The Role of Allies in a New World Order 34:19.257 Chapter: Future of Regional Powers in the Middle East 37:16.299 Chapter: The Complexity of Regime Change 40:07.423 Chapter: Responses from Gulf States and the Path Forward 42:47.830 Chapter: Understanding the Iranian Threat 42:56.867 Chapter: Current Events in the Middle East 43:59.964 Chapter: Reflections on the Conversation and Future Outlook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/hcbffED7ISw Recent update episodes: Khamenei Is Dead. What Now for Iran? - with Dr. Suzanne Maloney (March 1) US and Israel strike Iran; Khamenei reported dead - with Amos Harel (Feb 28) Day 4 of the Israel–Iran war: What does life look like inside Israel right now? Yonit and Jonathan reconnect for the first time since the beginning of the war with Iran. What does war feel like minute-by-minute? What does it mean when sirens sound every hour and a half — day and night? What happens to a society when workplaces close, schools shut, airports empty, and families move between safe rooms and bomb shelters as routine? Yonit describes the exhausting rhythm of preliminary alerts, the psychological strain of constant disruption, and the quiet resilience of Israeli civilians navigating a conflict that feels both immediate and existential. They discuss: ▶︎ The difference between June’s confrontation and this new phase ▶︎ The strategy behind Iran’s high-frequency missile fire ▶︎ The role of deterrence — and whether this is the beginning of the end for the Iranian regime ▶︎ The balance between exhaustion and resolve inside Israel ▶︎ And ultimately: who decides when this ends? Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conflict 00:43 Living Under Fire: Daily Life in Israel 04:10 The Psychological Impact of Constant Alerts 10:29 Public Sentiment and Resilience Amidst Conflict 15:28 The Role of Leadership and External Influences 22:29 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Conflict Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As reports confirm that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, Yonit is joined by Dr. Suzanne Maloney for a searching conversation about what this moment means for Iran and the wider Middle East. They examine Khamenei’s worldview in the years leading up to his death, the ideological roots of the regime’s hostility toward the West, and the deep divisions within Iranian society. The discussion turns to the question now confronting Tehran — who can succeed a figure so central to the system — and to the profound uncertainty facing Iran as it enters a post-Khamenei era with no clear path forward. Chapters 00:00 The Legacy of Khamenei 02:54 Post-Khamenei Iran: What Lies Ahead? 05:42 The Future of the Islamic Republic 08:23 Regional Implications of Khamenei's Assassination 10:59 The Divided Iranian Society 13:58 Transitioning to a New Era Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jonathan is joined by military analyst Amos Harel to assess the latest Israeli and US strikes against Iran — and what may come next. Together they examine the logic behind the operations, the degree of coordination between Jerusalem and Washington, and how Iran is likely to respond next. They also ask the harder questions now hanging over the region: whether this marks a turning point for the Iranian regime itself, how far escalation could go, and what the strikes reveal about the shifting balance of power in the Middle East. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aPuKq78g6X4 Follow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypod As the US–Iran talks in Geneva keep the region on edge, Yonit is joined by journalist Matti Friedman, to make sense of Israel’s uneasy calm — daily life continuing under the knowledge that everything could change in minutes. They reflect on Purim anxiety, old antisemitic tropes resurfacing, and Narendra Modi’s unusually warm visit to Israel, set against Knesset infighting. They also dive deep into the evolving India–Israel relationship with former ambassador Alon Ushpiz: affection, technology, security interests, and how much (or little) Islam really drives the alignment. Plus: the backlash to Hugh Laurie’s mourning of Tehran producer Dana Eden, a Chutzpah award for Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee, and a Mensch salute to Israel’s women’s hockey team. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Wsz-rgYJeTgCatch Jonathan on tour in Australia As the Middle East enters another moment of acute tension — with one of Trump’s advisers saying there is a “90% chance we see kinetic action in the next few weeks” — Yonit speaks with Barak Ravid, diplomatic correspondent for Axios and Channel 12, about what is happening now and what Donald Trump may be weighing as events continue to unfold. From geopolitics to technology, Yonit is then joined by Noreena Hertz — academic, economist, and bestselling author — for a conversation about the future of jobs in the age of AI, why women may be particularly vulnerable to unemployment, and how these technological shifts are exacerbating antisemitism. Plus: a sports edition of Mensch and Chutzpah — crossing borders and disciplines, from American and European arenas to stories that run from basketball courts to bobsleigh tracks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/P3ahIBALMZQFollow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypodCatch Jonathan in Australia: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT20e6vDQDU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==As Benjamin Netanyahu boards a flight to meet President Trump, his government is attempting to rewrite the memory of October 7, removing the word “massacre” from its proposed memorial day bill. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by military analyst Amos Harel, who examines rising tensions in the West Bank, the growing influence of the far right, and the fragile balance between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority.Plus: a special conversation with Iran analyst Holly Dagres, who lived in Iran as a teenager, on the resilience and defiance of the country’s younger generation — and what change, and the future, might hold. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m6zjJCUxC28Follow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypod As the world waits to see the outcome of talks between Washington and Tehran, Israel finds itself grappling with upheaval at home.This week on Unholy, Yonit and Jonathan focus on two starkly different fault lines in Israeli society. First, rising violence in the Arab community: more than 30 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been murdered since the start of the year, as organised crime tightens its grip and trust in the police and the state continues to erode. What lies behind this horrific toll, and why has it been allowed to become grimly routine?Then, another front in the culture wars. Israel’s right-leaning Channel 14 turns its fire on women serving in combat roles in the IDF, questioning their very presence. What does this campaign say about power, fear and the boundaries of belonging in Israeli public life?Our guest is Coleman Hughes, one of the most prominent young intellectuals in the United States. He joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about race, antisemitism in America and the direction of Donald Trump’s domestic agenda — and what all that might mean far beyond the US. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TcIvsLyyFMM Follow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypod As Israel receives the body of Rani Gvilli, the last remaining hostage held in Gaza since October 7, a painful chapter closes — and a new, uncertain one begins: for the first time since 2014, there are no Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, the world looks to Washington, waiting to see when, where and whether Donald Trump will order a strike against Iran. Yonit and Jonathan unpack what this new reality means — for Israel, for the region and for a war that refuses to end cleanly. They also examine Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest accusation - that Israeli soldiers lost their lives because of what he called an “arms embargo” imposed by Joe Biden - and why he made it now. Plus: Listeners’ Therapy returns. Unholy is joined once again by renowned psychotherapist Dr Orna Guralnik for a second session — this time with Lee and Marion, an American-Israeli couple wrestling with a question that has become agonisingly familiar to many Jewish families: where should we raise our children? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/GNEwMea20H4Catch Jonathan on tour in AustraliaGreenland, Gaza and the brand-new “Board of Peace”: Donald Trump goes to Davos to unveil his gold-plated rival to the UN and ambitious new blueprint for post-war Gaza. Yonit and Jonathan unpick what it means in practice, how Qatar and Turkey’s involvement is unsettling for Israelis - and why Benjamin Netanyahu may find that being in the hands of Donald Trump is no more comfortable than being in the hands of the UN. Plus, Dr. Orna Guralnik of the TV hit Couples Therapy joins Unholy for an experiment in “listeners therapy”, listening to two teenage friends from Copenhagen, Albert Trige Olesen and Benjamin Brøgger, as they have a raw and unexpectedly hopeful conversation, each determined to stay close to the other even as they disagree fiercely about Israel and the Palestinians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unholy turns 5 - watch Yonit and Jonathan here> https://youtu.be/JKcUuratqm4We have a new bonus episode out! find it in your feed, or here: https://bit.ly/49pirZ1Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ICs1pgQgCbYFor more Unholy content, social media, etc: https://linktr.ee/unholypodIran is burning, the world is watching – and, as ever, everyone is waiting to see what Donald Trump does next. As mass protests face a ferocious crackdown that may already rank among the bloodiest in the region’s modern history, Yonit and Jonathan speak to scholar of Iran Dr. Suzanne Maloney about the possibility of an eventual regime change in Tehran, Washington’s options and Israel’s concerns.In the UK, a police chief is urged to quit as the truth emerges of his ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, there’s a Mensch award for sporting excellence - and in the midst of it all, Unholy turns five. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Kq_5JLTH8lsFollow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypoAs President Trump scrambles what used to be known as the international order, abducting a foreign dictator and threatening to invade an ally’s territory, Iranians take to the streets, driven by deepening economic despair. Back in Israel, a very different kind of unrest is unfolding, as tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters mobilise against a draft bill that strikes at the heart of a long-standing social contract.Yonit and Jonathan make sense of it all with former Biden official Amos Hochstein, who helped broker the 2024 Lebanon ceasefire agreement, asking not just what connects these flashpoints, but what comes next in an increasingly volatile world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you have a relationship in your life that’s been strained by the events of the last two years, why not let celebrated therapist Orna Guralnik see if she can help? [email protected] us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/98cZEB2eXmAFollow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypod Benjamin Netanyahu gets a hero’s welcome at Mar-a-Lago from Donald Trump, even as his far right ministers continue their assault on Israel’s High Court of Justice. Yonit and Jonathan explore what this moment tells us about the road to the next elections. They also turn to the widening “Qatar-gate” affair, with troubling questions now closing in on the prime minister’s closest advisers. And, looking ahead to 2026, they try to sketch out the battlelines of the electoral contest to come. Plus, a crowded field for the weekly Chutzpah award and a salute to those still capable of extreme generosity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yonit and Jonathan explore the intersection of Jewish identity and Christmas traditions, discussing how Jews navigate the holiday season, the cultural significance of Christmas in Israel, and the impact of Christmas films on perceptions of the holiday. They delve into the complexities of assimilation, the evolution of Jewish customs around Christmas, and the portrayal of Christmas in popular culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BWTPM1AIn_MJews Are Being Sent Back Into Hiding https://www.thefp.com/p/jews-are-being-sent-back-into-hidingThe song at the end of the episode: Zamba de Jeruslaen https://www.youtube.com/@RoniKripperAs the traditional joy of Hanukkah combines with fear and grief after the horrific attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Rabbi David Wolpe for a searching conversation about loss, faith and how—if at all—to find sparks of light in the darkness. We also invited listeners to send in voice notes telling how this week has felt for them. Rabbi Wolpe responds with empathy, perspective and wisdom drawn from our deepest tradition. Plus: a tribute from Yonit and Jonathan to Rob Reiner, and the legacy he leaves on screen and beyond. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At least 11 people were murdered, including Chabad emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and several more were wounded, after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, in southeastern Australia.Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Nomi Kaltmann, a journalist, a lawyer, and a Rabbanit from Australia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new bonus episode for premium subscribers is out! Find it in your feed.If you have a relationship in your life that’s been strained by the events of the last two years, why not let celebrated therapist Orna Guralnik see if she can help? [email protected] us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YmvSGwLhLTIFollow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypod Yonit and Jonathan are joined by journalist J Oliver Conroy for a no-holds-barred examination of surging antisemitism on the American right - much of it focused on Israel. At the heart of it: Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist whose brand of antisemitism and hate is finding traction in places few expected. Who is he, why does he matter, and what does his rise say about the shifting fault lines of US politics? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RnHcr0Q6PUQBenjamin Netanyahu edges closer to Donald Trump’s extraordinary call for a presidential pardon, filing an official request with President Herzog and setting off another political storm.All this as Israel tears itself apart once again over the draft bill. Will the ultra-Orthodox secure a formal exemption from service, and what does that mean for the rest of the country?Yonit and Jonathan unpack the battle lines with Yair Ettinger of Kan News, one of the clearest voices on the Haredi world and its political power.Plus: a farewell to a giant of the stage, and a Chutzpah Award that breaks new records. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ISRqGzPb9mYTensions at the top of Israel’s security establishment escalate, as a public rift between the chief of staff and the defence minister deepens — raising questions about leadership and accountability in a time of war. Yonit and Jonathan break down what this clash reveals about Israel’s security apparatus. In New York, protests outside a synagogue leave local Jews unsettled and anxious about the city’s new mayor. Plus: Barak Ravid, one of Washington’s most connected reporters and a leading interpreter of Donald Trump’s political instincts, joins to discuss the president’s strategy and his unique approach to global affairs — and what it could mean for Israel in the months ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qq_LY5Ftf8MFollow us on social media and join Patreon to get more of Unholy: https://linktr.ee/unholypodAfter Donald Trump warmly welcomed Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Yonit and Jonathan explore what enhanced US military sales to the kingdom mean for Israel’s security - and how the changing relationship between Washington and Riyadh is reshaping Israeli politics. They examine the UN Security Council’s adoption of Trump’s Gaza plan, the fragile ceasefire on the ground and the growing threats facing journalists in Israel.And we dip back into our recent live event at the Streicker Center in New York City, with some sharp - and much-needed - humour from Alex Edelman. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Get an exclusive peek into Jonathan’s new book, The Traitors Circle, including the Author’s Note and Prologue.You can order your copy here: https://linktr.ee/JonathanFreedland Berlin, 1943: A group of high society anti-Nazi dissenters meet for a tea party one late summer’s afternoon. They do not know that, sitting around the table, is someone poised to betray them all to the Gestapo.They form a circle of unlikely rebels, drawn from the German elite: two countesses, a diplomat, an intelligence officer, an ambassador’s widow and a pioneering head mistress. What unites every one of them is a shared loathing of the Nazis, a refusal to bow to Hitler and the courage to perform perilous acts of resistance: meeting in the shadows, rescuing Jews or plotting for a future Germany freed from the Führer's rule. Or so they believe.How did a group of brave, principled rebels, who had successfully defied Adolf Hitler for more than a decade, come to fall into such a lethal trap?Undone from within and pursued to near-destruction by one of the Reich’s cruelest men, they showed a heroism in the face of the most vengeful regime in history that raises the question: what kind of person does it take to risk everything and stand up to tyranny? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MbFUueN6vPgOrder a copy of "Don't Feed the Lion": https://amzn.to/3JH4iweDonald Trump is pressing for a pardon for Benjamin Netanyahu, injecting fresh volatility into an already fraught political moment. In Israel, arguments over the scope and timing of a commission of inquiry continue to intensify, while between London and Washington the scandal over alleged BBC bias gathers pace. All this comes as the Israeli defence minister moves to shut down Galei Zahal, the army-run radio station that has been broadcasting since 1950. Plus: a special conversation with the authors of new novel Don’t Feed the Lion - at least one of whom is an Unholy fixture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Exclusive for Unholy listeners:Listen to the first chapter of Don’t Feed the Lion, Yonit’s new book co-written with CNN’s Bianna Golodryga.Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3JH4iweAnnie and Theo Kaplan have a family ritual: every Friday night, they celebrate Shabbat with their lively immigrant grandparents. But this Shabbat — which also happens to be Annie’s eleventh birthday — isn’t like the others. Thirteen-year-old Theo’s soccer hero, Wes Mitchell, has posted an antisemitic message that quickly goes viral, leaving his parents disgusted, his sister enraged, and Theo himself overwhelmed by confusion, anger, sadness, and a desperate wish to just ignore it. Antisemitism soon begins to affect the entire Kaplan family in unexpected ways. Theo’s teammates brush off Mitchell’s remarks as “no big deal,” and he notices an increase in anti-Jewish comments around school. A rare act of rebellion draws Annie into the fray, while a new classmate helps her realize that ignoring pain is no way to get through it. Don’t Feed the Lion asks readers of all backgrounds: What will you do when it’s your turn to choose? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lxA2yVSOzakFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreon A seismic week on both sides of the Atlantic: in New York, Zohran Mamdani was elected the city’s next mayor — a result that’s caused unease in parts of the city's Jewish community and beyond. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by The Atlantic’s Yair Rosenberg to unpack the reaction and what this political shift could mean for New York’s Jews.Meanwhile, in Israel, the week’s biggest story centres on the detention center at Sde Teiman — and on the extraordinary admission by the army’s chief military prosecutor that she was behind the leak of a brutal and disturbing video that sent shockwaves through the country. To help untangle this complex, troubling saga, Yonit and Jonathan speak with Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel.Plus: a nepo-baby earns our Chutzpah award, while there are some truly feelgood Mensches of the Week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/PdPskPBd_78Unholy Live arrived in New York City on October 29th for a special evening featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dr. Keren Yarhi Milo the Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Yonit and Jonathan delved into the current political landscape of the Democratic Party, Donald Trump and Netanyahu, the ongoing protests at Columbia University against Israel, the upcoming mayoral election in New York City, and the significant role of Zohran Mamdani in shaping the city’s future. They also discussed their joint course at Columbia University and their latest book, titled “Inside The Situation Room.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unholy live is coming to NYC next week (10/29) with special guest Hillary Rodham Clinton! Grab your tickets here: https://bit.ly/UnholyLiveNYC Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/GQGDuFFZpmAAs the Knesset reconvenes, political manoeuvring in Jerusalem is stirring unease in Washington — with decisions that risk straining Israel’s most important alliance. Yonit and Jonathan unpack the tensions between Israel and the US, the increasing influence of Donald Trump on Israeli politics, and the latest, often distressing updates from the returned hostages. Samer Sinijlawi joins them to offer a Palestinian perspective on the current situation in Gaza, an analysis of what lies ahead for politics, and leadership, in the Palestinian arena - and a dash of hope for a better future for both peoples. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meet us at Unholy Live NYC - October 29th, 2025 - with very special guests, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dr. Keren Yarhi-Milo bit.ly/UnholyLiveNYC As Israel navigates a fragile ceasefire and the slow recovery of hostages, Hamas’s refusal to comply with the agreement threatens to unravel hard-won progress. Yonit and Jonathan unpack the U.S. role, shifting political narratives, and what it all means for the region’s future — plus, a look ahead to Unholy Live in New York. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meet us at Unholy Live NYC - October 29th, 2025 - with very special guests, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dr. Keren Yarhi-Milo https://streicker.nyc/events/unholy-live Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vvk85-012KMFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypod Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreon As families welcome home the released hostages, relief is shadowed by grief. Yonit and Jonathan explore the emotional terrain of joy and sorrow that defines this moment — for the families, for Israel, and for those still waiting. They examine what the return means for the hostage community, the political fallout facing Israel’s leadership, and the uneasy path ahead in its dealings with Hamas. Plus: a conversation with Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was kidnapped from the Nova festival and murdered by Hamas in Gaza. They talk about the past week, the road to recovery, Donald Trump, and the future of Israel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/tlSY3TvzfgYFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypodJoin our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreon In the special update episode, Yonit and Jonathan take a deep dive into an extraordinary day – one that saw Israel’s remaining living hostages come home and the visit of an American president given a hero’s welcome Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/wwiAJvAeoN0As a ceasefire and hostage deal is signed between Israel and Hamas, Yonit and Jonathan unpack what it could mean for both sides — and for those still living with the war’s aftermath. They explore the relief and uncertainty surrounding the release of hostages, the possible political outcomes in Israel, and the fragile hopes for peace after two years of war. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/CBASX3hibmQAs we approach the two-year mark of October 7, we bring you a conversation that lays bare the human cost of what happened on that day — and in the time since. Eli Sharabi was kidnapped from his home and held hostage in Gaza for 491 days. He speaks to Yonit and Jonathan about surviving captivity, the unimaginable loss of his wife, two daughters and brother, and the strength he found to carry on. Now an advocate for those still held in Gaza, Eli reflects on the choices he made — and the quiet, relentless work of rebuilding a life. His new book, Hostage, is out now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yonit and Jonathan digest the terror attack which killed two British Jews at prayer during Yom Kippur services in Manchester. Where does this leave the British Jewish community - and what does it say about diaspora Jewish life in increasingly vexed times? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this emergency update, Jonathan and military affairs analyst Amos Harel discuss the recent unveiling of Donald Trump's historic peace plan. They analyze the implications of the plan for both Israel and Hamas, the complexities surrounding Netanyahu's acceptance of the deal, and the potential influence of Qatar and other Arab states. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.