After October 7: A Quillette Podcast https://quillette.com/2024/06/20/after-october-7-by-pamela-paresky/ en © Quillette, 2025. All rights reserved. Psychologist and Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky travelled across Israel in the wake of October 7 and interviewed Israeli intellectuals, politicians, servicemen, and others about Hamas’s attack on Israel, how it happened and how it’s changed the country and the world. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/42f9dcae-afaf-11f0-9e89-778ead0ff2ee/image/b1e96ecc325fa2184dfe901214cc5842.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress After October 7: A Quillette Podcast https://quillette.com/2024/06/20/after-october-7-by-pamela-paresky/ no episodic Pamela Paresky interviews Israeli intellectuals, politicians, servicemen, and others in the wake of Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel. Pamela Paresky Psychologist and Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky travelled across Israel in the wake of October 7 and interviewed Israeli intellectuals, politicians, servicemen, and others about Hamas’s attack on Israel, how it happened and how it’s changed the country and the world. Psychologist and Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky travelled across Israel in the wake of October 7 and interviewed Israeli intellectuals, politicians, servicemen, and others about Hamas’s attack on Israel, how it happened and how it’s changed the country and the world.

]]> Quillette members@quillette.com Former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor on Zionism, October 7 and Campus Israel | Fleur Hassan-Nahoum Former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum joins Pamela Paresky to talk about her family’s journey from Spain to Gibraltar, the morning of 7 October, when she says international media called her because nobody else was answering, and why she now wants Jewish students to consider studying in Israel. Hassan-Nahoum is the daughter of Sir Joshua Hassan, Gibraltar’s first chief minister. She moved to Israel in 2001, served as Jerusalem’s deputy mayor for foreign relations, economic development and tourism, and was appointed Israel’s special envoy for innovation in 2023. She hosts The Quad on JNS TV and co-founded Campus Israel. Read the full transcript on Quillette: [TRANSCRIPT URL] CHAPTERS 00:00 An unpronounceable name 01:00 From Spain to Gibraltar: “No Jews and no Moors” 03:00 Baghdad, Kolkata, London — and aliyah in the Second Intifada 06:00 Growing up in a political family 07:00 Why local government gets things done 11:00 Jerusalem’s “foreign minister” 13:00 October 7: “Nobody else was answering” 16:00 Launching The Quad 18:00 Visiting Be’eri 22:00 Campus Israel: studying in the startup nation 27:00 What people get wrong about Zionism 29:00 Three ways to become a country 31:00 Why Jerusalem: King David and diversity 34:00 Where to find Fleur Subscribe to Quillette: https://quillette.com #Israel #Zionism #Antisemitism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 03 Nov 2026 03:35:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum joins Pamela Paresky to talk about her family’s journey from Spain to Gibraltar, the morning of 7 October, when she says international media called her because nobody else was answering, and why she now wants Jewish students to consider studying in Israel. Hassan-Nahoum is the daughter of Sir Joshua Hassan, Gibraltar’s first chief minister. She moved to Israel in 2001, served as Jerusalem’s deputy mayor for foreign relations, economic development and tourism, and was appointed Israel’s special envoy for innovation in 2023. She hosts The Quad on JNS TV and co-founded Campus Israel. Read the full transcript on Quillette: [TRANSCRIPT URL] CHAPTERS 00:00 An unpronounceable name 01:00 From Spain to Gibraltar: “No Jews and no Moors” 03:00 Baghdad, Kolkata, London — and aliyah in the Second Intifada 06:00 Growing up in a political family 07:00 Why local government gets things done 11:00 Jerusalem’s “foreign minister” 13:00 October 7: “Nobody else was answering” 16:00 Launching The Quad 18:00 Visiting Be’eri 22:00 Campus Israel: studying in the startup nation 27:00 What people get wrong about Zionism 29:00 Three ways to become a country 31:00 Why Jerusalem: King David and diversity 34:00 Where to find Fleur Subscribe to Quillette: https://quillette.com #Israel #Zionism #Antisemitism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum joins Pamela Paresky to talk about her family’s journey from Spain to Gibraltar, the morning of 7 October, when she says international media called her because nobody else was answering, and why she now wants Jewish students to consider studying in Israel. Hassan-Nahoum is the daughter of Sir Joshua Hassan, Gibraltar’s first chief minister. She moved to Israel in 2001, served as Jerusalem’s deputy mayor for foreign relations, economic development and tourism, and was appointed Israel’s special envoy for innovation in 2023. She hosts The Quad on JNS TV and co-founded Campus Israel. Read the full transcript on Quillette: [TRANSCRIPT URL] CHAPTERS 00:00 An unpronounceable name 01:00 From Spain to Gibraltar: “No Jews and no Moors” 03:00 Baghdad, Kolkata, London — and aliyah in the Second Intifada 06:00 Growing up in a political family 07:00 Why local government gets things done 11:00 Jerusalem’s “foreign minister” 13:00 October 7: “Nobody else was answering” 16:00 Launching The Quad 18:00 Visiting Be’eri 22:00 Campus Israel: studying in the startup nation 27:00 What people get wrong about Zionism 29:00 Three ways to become a country 31:00 Why Jerusalem: King David and diversity 34:00 Where to find Fleur Subscribe to Quillette: https://quillette.com #Israel #Zionism #Antisemitism


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]]> 2199 Mosul Eye: The Historian Who Secretly Documented ISIS | Omar Mohammed For three years, historian Omar Mohammed secretly documented life under the Islamic State as the anonymous blogger Mosul Eye. He speaks with Pamela Paresky about growing up under Saddam Hussein, the Jewish history Iraq erased, the 1941 Farhud, reporting from inside ISIS-held Mosul, and why he believes antisemitism is the thread that runs through every jihadist movement. Omar Mohammed is a senior research fellow at the George Washington University Program on Extremism, where he leads the Antisemitism Research Initiative. His book, Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS, is out now. 📚 Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510785674?tag=quillette-20 🌐 Omar Mohammed at GWU: https://extremism.gwu.edu/omar-mohammed Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.com CHAPTERS 0:00 Growing up in Saddam’s Mosul 3:00 What Saddam’s Iraq taught about Jews 8:00 The fall of Mosul to ISIS 12:00 Discovering Mosul’s erased Jewish history 16:00 Finding the Jews of Mosul 20:00 The Farhud 26:00 “Good Jews” and “bad Jews” 29:00 Sectarian war and a murdered professor 39:00 Why he says every terror group is antisemitic 41:00 “The moral compass of any society is its Jews” 43:00 Writing Mosul Eye under ISIS 46:00 Who was reading Mosul Eye 49:00 Nearly caught 53:00 How Mosul stopped obeying ISIS 1:03:00 Western support for Hamas and Hezbollah 1:09:00 The “reassignment” of Jews 1:16:00 Khaybar 1:17:00 Studying antisemitism online 1:21:00 Where to find Omar Mohammed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 28 Oct 2026 04:32:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky For three years, historian Omar Mohammed secretly documented life under the Islamic State as the anonymous blogger Mosul Eye. He speaks with Pamela Paresky about growing up under Saddam Hussein, the Jewish history Iraq erased, the 1941 Farhud, reporting from inside ISIS-held Mosul, and why he believes antisemitism is the thread that runs through every jihadist movement. Omar Mohammed is a senior research fellow at the George Washington University Program on Extremism, where he leads the Antisemitism Research Initiative. His book, Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS, is out now. 📚 Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510785674?tag=quillette-20 🌐 Omar Mohammed at GWU: https://extremism.gwu.edu/omar-mohammed Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.com CHAPTERS 0:00 Growing up in Saddam’s Mosul 3:00 What Saddam’s Iraq taught about Jews 8:00 The fall of Mosul to ISIS 12:00 Discovering Mosul’s erased Jewish history 16:00 Finding the Jews of Mosul 20:00 The Farhud 26:00 “Good Jews” and “bad Jews” 29:00 Sectarian war and a murdered professor 39:00 Why he says every terror group is antisemitic 41:00 “The moral compass of any society is its Jews” 43:00 Writing Mosul Eye under ISIS 46:00 Who was reading Mosul Eye 49:00 Nearly caught 53:00 How Mosul stopped obeying ISIS 1:03:00 Western support for Hamas and Hezbollah 1:09:00 The “reassignment” of Jews 1:16:00 Khaybar 1:17:00 Studying antisemitism online 1:21:00 Where to find Omar Mohammed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices For three years, historian Omar Mohammed secretly documented life under the Islamic State as the anonymous blogger Mosul Eye. He speaks with Pamela Paresky about growing up under Saddam Hussein, the Jewish history Iraq erased, the 1941 Farhud, reporting from inside ISIS-held Mosul, and why he believes antisemitism is the thread that runs through every jihadist movement. Omar Mohammed is a senior research fellow at the George Washington University Program on Extremism, where he leads the Antisemitism Research Initiative. His book, Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS, is out now. 📚 Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510785674?tag=quillette-20 🌐 Omar Mohammed at GWU: https://extremism.gwu.edu/omar-mohammed Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.com CHAPTERS 0:00 Growing up in Saddam’s Mosul 3:00 What Saddam’s Iraq taught about Jews 8:00 The fall of Mosul to ISIS 12:00 Discovering Mosul’s erased Jewish history 16:00 Finding the Jews of Mosul 20:00 The Farhud 26:00 “Good Jews” and “bad Jews” 29:00 Sectarian war and a murdered professor 39:00 Why he says every terror group is antisemitic 41:00 “The moral compass of any society is its Jews” 43:00 Writing Mosul Eye under ISIS 46:00 Who was reading Mosul Eye 49:00 Nearly caught 53:00 How Mosul stopped obeying ISIS 1:03:00 Western support for Hamas and Hezbollah 1:09:00 The “reassignment” of Jews 1:16:00 Khaybar 1:17:00 Studying antisemitism online 1:21:00 Where to find Omar Mohammed

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]]> 5136 Pallywood, Jihad, and the Failure of the Press | Richard Landes Historian Richard Landes speaks with Pamela Paresky about apocalyptic movements, shame–honour cultures, and why he believes Western journalism has spent twenty-five years reporting jihad backwards.Landes was trained as a medievalist, specialising in apocalyptic movements and shame–honour cultures. He is the author of Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad, and the founder of Infidel Awareness Month, a 27-day observance running from 11 September to 7 October.Recorded 9 September 2026.📖 Full transcript: coming soon🌐 infidelawareness.com📚 Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? — https://www.amazon.com/dp/164469994X?tag=quillette-20Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.comCHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Background 02:41 Hamas vs. Palestinian Nationalism 05:15 Durban, 9/11, and Media Narratives 19:46 Islamophobia and Its Uses 41:02 Infidel Awareness Month 59:31 October 7th and Campus Response 01:08:25 Looking Ahead: Reasons for Optimism 01:11:21 Media Fabrication ("Pallywood") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:25:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Historian Richard Landes speaks with Pamela Paresky about apocalyptic movements, shame–honour cultures, and why he believes Western journalism has spent twenty-five years reporting jihad backwards.Landes was trained as a medievalist, specialising in apocalyptic movements and shame–honour cultures. He is the author of Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad, and the founder of Infidel Awareness Month, a 27-day observance running from 11 September to 7 October.Recorded 9 September 2026.📖 Full transcript: coming soon🌐 infidelawareness.com📚 Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? — https://www.amazon.com/dp/164469994X?tag=quillette-20Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.comCHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Background 02:41 Hamas vs. Palestinian Nationalism 05:15 Durban, 9/11, and Media Narratives 19:46 Islamophobia and Its Uses 41:02 Infidel Awareness Month 59:31 October 7th and Campus Response 01:08:25 Looking Ahead: Reasons for Optimism 01:11:21 Media Fabrication ("Pallywood") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Historian Richard Landes speaks with Pamela Paresky about apocalyptic movements, shame–honour cultures, and why he believes Western journalism has spent twenty-five years reporting jihad backwards.Landes was trained as a medievalist, specialising in apocalyptic movements and shame–honour cultures. He is the author of Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad, and the founder of Infidel Awareness Month, a 27-day observance running from 11 September to 7 October.Recorded 9 September 2026.📖 Full transcript: coming soon🌐 infidelawareness.com📚 Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? — https://www.amazon.com/dp/164469994X?tag=quillette-20Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.comCHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Background 02:41 Hamas vs. Palestinian Nationalism 05:15 Durban, 9/11, and Media Narratives 19:46 Islamophobia and Its Uses 41:02 Infidel Awareness Month 59:31 October 7th and Campus Response 01:08:25 Looking Ahead: Reasons for Optimism 01:11:21 Media Fabrication ("Pallywood")

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]]> 5359 “I Fought for Israel” — Yoseph Haddad on Hamas, Gaza & Media Narratives What is it really like to be an Arab Muslim serving in the Israeli army? In this in-depth conversation, Yoseph Haddad speaks with Pamela Paresky about his life growing up in mixed Jewish-Arab communities, volunteering for the IDF, being seriously wounded in combat, and challenging some of the most widely repeated claims about Israel. From Haifa and Nazareth to the front lines of the 2006 Lebanon War, Haddad offers a firsthand account of coexistence, identity, and conflict—while directly addressing accusations of apartheid, media bias, and the realities of the Gaza war. Topics include: Arab citizens of Israel and coexistence Serving in the IDF as a Muslim volunteer The “apartheid” accusation against Israel The October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza Civilian vs combatant casualty debates Historical claims about Israel and Zionism Media narratives and global perceptions Whether you agree or disagree, this is a perspective rarely heard—and one that challenges dominant narratives. 💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 👉 Learn more: https://quillette.com 👉 Subscribe for more long-form conversations on politics, culture, and ideas. 00:00 Israel “Unbeatable” — Opening Statement 00:30 Growing Up in Haifa & Nazareth 01:27 Jewish–Arab Coexistence in Daily Life 02:50 Language, Identity & Cultural Bridges 03:58 Volunteering for the IDF as an Arab Muslim 04:25 Does the IDF Protect All Citizens? 05:33 Serving in the Golani Brigade 06:25 Debunking the Apartheid Claim 07:35 Lebanese Civilians & Hezbollah War 09:17 Near-Fatal Injury in Combat 11:24 Rescue Under Fire 13:25 Challenging Anti-Israel Narratives 15:59 Mission: Change Minds with Facts 17:23 Is Israel a Racist Society? 18:44 Why “Apartheid” Claims Backfire 20:20 Jewish–Arab Unity vs Extremism 21:14 The Maxim Restaurant Bombing 22:35 Terrorism Targets All Israelis 23:28 Media Bias Explained 24:25 BBC Arabic Controversy 25:51 Why He Became an Advocate 26:18 Founding “Together Vouch” 27:14 Educating Foreigners Abroad 29:27 October 7 & Existential War 30:34 Value of Human Life in Israel 32:54 Family History in the Land 35:12 1948 & the Partition Debate 36:10 Christians in Israel vs Region 38:57 Apartheid Comparison to South Africa 42:27 Arab Representation in Israeli Sport 44:54 Peace vs Violence Debate 47:03 Origins of the Conflict (Ancient History) 49:02 What Zionism Means 49:44 Historical & Religious Claims to the Land 50:13 Was Jesus “Palestinian”? 51:52 Arabic Bible & Historical Context 52:11 Jews, Christians & Muslim Empires 52:51 What the Quran Says About Israel 53:36 Are Jews “Occupiers”? 55:25 Gaza War Casualty Claims 57:28 Civilian vs Combatant Ratios 58:54 Comparing Modern Warfare 59:46 Destruction vs Population Reality 01:00:44 “Free Palestine from Hamas” 01:01:28 Final Challenge to Critics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:25:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky What is it really like to be an Arab Muslim serving in the Israeli army? In this in-depth conversation, Yoseph Haddad speaks with Pamela Paresky about his life growing up in mixed Jewish-Arab communities, volunteering for the IDF, being seriously wounded in combat, and challenging some of the most widely repeated claims about Israel. From Haifa and Nazareth to the front lines of the 2006 Lebanon War, Haddad offers a firsthand account of coexistence, identity, and conflict—while directly addressing accusations of apartheid, media bias, and the realities of the Gaza war. Topics include: Arab citizens of Israel and coexistence Serving in the IDF as a Muslim volunteer The “apartheid” accusation against Israel The October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza Civilian vs combatant casualty debates Historical claims about Israel and Zionism Media narratives and global perceptions Whether you agree or disagree, this is a perspective rarely heard—and one that challenges dominant narratives. 💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 👉 Learn more: https://quillette.com 👉 Subscribe for more long-form conversations on politics, culture, and ideas. 00:00 Israel “Unbeatable” — Opening Statement 00:30 Growing Up in Haifa & Nazareth 01:27 Jewish–Arab Coexistence in Daily Life 02:50 Language, Identity & Cultural Bridges 03:58 Volunteering for the IDF as an Arab Muslim 04:25 Does the IDF Protect All Citizens? 05:33 Serving in the Golani Brigade 06:25 Debunking the Apartheid Claim 07:35 Lebanese Civilians & Hezbollah War 09:17 Near-Fatal Injury in Combat 11:24 Rescue Under Fire 13:25 Challenging Anti-Israel Narratives 15:59 Mission: Change Minds with Facts 17:23 Is Israel a Racist Society? 18:44 Why “Apartheid” Claims Backfire 20:20 Jewish–Arab Unity vs Extremism 21:14 The Maxim Restaurant Bombing 22:35 Terrorism Targets All Israelis 23:28 Media Bias Explained 24:25 BBC Arabic Controversy 25:51 Why He Became an Advocate 26:18 Founding “Together Vouch” 27:14 Educating Foreigners Abroad 29:27 October 7 & Existential War 30:34 Value of Human Life in Israel 32:54 Family History in the Land 35:12 1948 & the Partition Debate 36:10 Christians in Israel vs Region 38:57 Apartheid Comparison to South Africa 42:27 Arab Representation in Israeli Sport 44:54 Peace vs Violence Debate 47:03 Origins of the Conflict (Ancient History) 49:02 What Zionism Means 49:44 Historical & Religious Claims to the Land 50:13 Was Jesus “Palestinian”? 51:52 Arabic Bible & Historical Context 52:11 Jews, Christians & Muslim Empires 52:51 What the Quran Says About Israel 53:36 Are Jews “Occupiers”? 55:25 Gaza War Casualty Claims 57:28 Civilian vs Combatant Ratios 58:54 Comparing Modern Warfare 59:46 Destruction vs Population Reality 01:00:44 “Free Palestine from Hamas” 01:01:28 Final Challenge to Critics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What is it really like to be an Arab Muslim serving in the Israeli army? In this in-depth conversation, Yoseph Haddad speaks with Pamela Paresky about his life growing up in mixed Jewish-Arab communities, volunteering for the IDF, being seriously wounded in combat, and challenging some of the most widely repeated claims about Israel. From Haifa and Nazareth to the front lines of the 2006 Lebanon War, Haddad offers a firsthand account of coexistence, identity, and conflict—while directly addressing accusations of apartheid, media bias, and the realities of the Gaza war. Topics include: Arab citizens of Israel and coexistence Serving in the IDF as a Muslim volunteer The “apartheid” accusation against Israel The October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza Civilian vs combatant casualty debates Historical claims about Israel and Zionism Media narratives and global perceptions Whether you agree or disagree, this is a perspective rarely heard—and one that challenges dominant narratives. 💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 👉 Learn more: https://quillette.com 👉 Subscribe for more long-form conversations on politics, culture, and ideas. 00:00 Israel “Unbeatable” — Opening Statement 00:30 Growing Up in Haifa & Nazareth 01:27 Jewish–Arab Coexistence in Daily Life 02:50 Language, Identity & Cultural Bridges 03:58 Volunteering for the IDF as an Arab Muslim 04:25 Does the IDF Protect All Citizens? 05:33 Serving in the Golani Brigade 06:25 Debunking the Apartheid Claim 07:35 Lebanese Civilians & Hezbollah War 09:17 Near-Fatal Injury in Combat 11:24 Rescue Under Fire 13:25 Challenging Anti-Israel Narratives 15:59 Mission: Change Minds with Facts 17:23 Is Israel a Racist Society? 18:44 Why “Apartheid” Claims Backfire 20:20 Jewish–Arab Unity vs Extremism 21:14 The Maxim Restaurant Bombing 22:35 Terrorism Targets All Israelis 23:28 Media Bias Explained 24:25 BBC Arabic Controversy 25:51 Why He Became an Advocate 26:18 Founding “Together Vouch” 27:14 Educating Foreigners Abroad 29:27 October 7 & Existential War 30:34 Value of Human Life in Israel 32:54 Family History in the Land 35:12 1948 & the Partition Debate 36:10 Christians in Israel vs Region 38:57 Apartheid Comparison to South Africa 42:27 Arab Representation in Israeli Sport 44:54 Peace vs Violence Debate 47:03 Origins of the Conflict (Ancient History) 49:02 What Zionism Means 49:44 Historical & Religious Claims to the Land 50:13 Was Jesus “Palestinian”? 51:52 Arabic Bible & Historical Context 52:11 Jews, Christians & Muslim Empires 52:51 What the Quran Says About Israel 53:36 Are Jews “Occupiers”? 55:25 Gaza War Casualty Claims 57:28 Civilian vs Combatant Ratios 58:54 Comparing Modern Warfare 59:46 Destruction vs Population Reality 01:00:44 “Free Palestine from Hamas” 01:01:28 Final Challenge to Critics

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]]> 3924 Gadi Taub: Why Israel Can’t Live With a Nuclear Iran In this wide-ranging Quillette interview, Gadi Taub speaks with Pamela Paresky about Israel’s war aims, the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the collapse of long-standing assumptions in Western foreign policy. Taub argues that the goal of the current conflict is not simply to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but to make the cost of pursuing them unbearable. He also examines the legacy of the Oslo Accords, the failure of deterrence-based thinking, and the deeper ideological divide between Western and Islamist worldviews. The conversation explores how postmodern and postcolonial ideas have shaped Western perceptions of conflict—often obscuring reality rather than clarifying it. Topics include:– Why regime change is difficult but still relevant– The strategic transformation of the Middle East– The failure of Oslo and the two-state paradigm– Palestinian political culture and the role of Hamas– Deterrence, escalation, and military doctrine– The influence of postmodernism on Western thinking This is a detailed and challenging discussion about war, ideology, and the limits of Western self-understanding. 00:00 – War aims and the limits of destroying nuclear programmes01:00 – Why deterrence may not work with Iran03:00 – How the Middle East strategic balance has shifted05:00 – The problem with “living with a nuclear Iran”07:00 – Zionism, academia, and the culture wars10:00 – Civilisation vs barbarism: competing worldviews12:00 – Nuclear deterrence and Western complacency14:30 – Why avoiding war can lead to bigger wars18:00 – Israel’s early military doctrine vs modern strategy22:00 – Deterrence, escalation, and US–Israel alignment25:00 – Internal tensions: politicians vs military leadership29:00 – The “gatekeepers” and democratic accountability33:00 – Oslo explained: demographics vs security37:00 – The collapse of the “concept” on October 7th42:00 – Palestinian society, education, and ideology47:00 – Civilian casualties and urban warfare comparisons50:00 – Why Oslo failed in practice55:00 – Gaza disengagement and its consequences59:00 – West Bank risks and security realities01:05:00 – The West’s tendency to blame itself01:10:00 – Postmodernism, Foucault, and truth01:15:00 – Identity politics and the depoliticisation of identity01:20:00 – Why Zionism is uniquely targeted01:24:00 – What the West gets wrong—and what must change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:50:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this wide-ranging Quillette interview, Gadi Taub speaks with Pamela Paresky about Israel’s war aims, the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the collapse of long-standing assumptions in Western foreign policy. Taub argues that the goal of the current conflict is not simply to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but to make the cost of pursuing them unbearable. He also examines the legacy of the Oslo Accords, the failure of deterrence-based thinking, and the deeper ideological divide between Western and Islamist worldviews. The conversation explores how postmodern and postcolonial ideas have shaped Western perceptions of conflict—often obscuring reality rather than clarifying it. Topics include:– Why regime change is difficult but still relevant– The strategic transformation of the Middle East– The failure of Oslo and the two-state paradigm– Palestinian political culture and the role of Hamas– Deterrence, escalation, and military doctrine– The influence of postmodernism on Western thinking This is a detailed and challenging discussion about war, ideology, and the limits of Western self-understanding. 00:00 – War aims and the limits of destroying nuclear programmes01:00 – Why deterrence may not work with Iran03:00 – How the Middle East strategic balance has shifted05:00 – The problem with “living with a nuclear Iran”07:00 – Zionism, academia, and the culture wars10:00 – Civilisation vs barbarism: competing worldviews12:00 – Nuclear deterrence and Western complacency14:30 – Why avoiding war can lead to bigger wars18:00 – Israel’s early military doctrine vs modern strategy22:00 – Deterrence, escalation, and US–Israel alignment25:00 – Internal tensions: politicians vs military leadership29:00 – The “gatekeepers” and democratic accountability33:00 – Oslo explained: demographics vs security37:00 – The collapse of the “concept” on October 7th42:00 – Palestinian society, education, and ideology47:00 – Civilian casualties and urban warfare comparisons50:00 – Why Oslo failed in practice55:00 – Gaza disengagement and its consequences59:00 – West Bank risks and security realities01:05:00 – The West’s tendency to blame itself01:10:00 – Postmodernism, Foucault, and truth01:15:00 – Identity politics and the depoliticisation of identity01:20:00 – Why Zionism is uniquely targeted01:24:00 – What the West gets wrong—and what must change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this wide-ranging Quillette interview, Gadi Taub speaks with Pamela Paresky about Israel’s war aims, the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the collapse of long-standing assumptions in Western foreign policy.

Taub argues that the goal of the current conflict is not simply to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but to make the cost of pursuing them unbearable. He also examines the legacy of the Oslo Accords, the failure of deterrence-based thinking, and the deeper ideological divide between Western and Islamist worldviews.

The conversation explores how postmodern and postcolonial ideas have shaped Western perceptions of conflict—often obscuring reality rather than clarifying it.

Topics include:
– Why regime change is difficult but still relevant
– The strategic transformation of the Middle East
– The failure of Oslo and the two-state paradigm
– Palestinian political culture and the role of Hamas
– Deterrence, escalation, and military doctrine
– The influence of postmodernism on Western thinking

This is a detailed and challenging discussion about war, ideology, and the limits of Western self-understanding.

00:00 – War aims and the limits of destroying nuclear programmes
01:00 – Why deterrence may not work with Iran
03:00 – How the Middle East strategic balance has shifted
05:00 – The problem with “living with a nuclear Iran”
07:00 – Zionism, academia, and the culture wars
10:00 – Civilisation vs barbarism: competing worldviews
12:00 – Nuclear deterrence and Western complacency
14:30 – Why avoiding war can lead to bigger wars
18:00 – Israel’s early military doctrine vs modern strategy
22:00 – Deterrence, escalation, and US–Israel alignment
25:00 – Internal tensions: politicians vs military leadership
29:00 – The “gatekeepers” and democratic accountability
33:00 – Oslo explained: demographics vs security
37:00 – The collapse of the “concept” on October 7th
42:00 – Palestinian society, education, and ideology
47:00 – Civilian casualties and urban warfare comparisons
50:00 – Why Oslo failed in practice
55:00 – Gaza disengagement and its consequences
59:00 – West Bank risks and security realities
01:05:00 – The West’s tendency to blame itself
01:10:00 – Postmodernism, Foucault, and truth
01:15:00 – Identity politics and the depoliticisation of identity
01:20:00 – Why Zionism is uniquely targeted
01:24:00 – What the West gets wrong—and what must change

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]]> 5866 Inside Iran: Why the Regime May Be Near Collapse | Emily Schrader Interview https://quillette.com/2026/03/26/irans-hidden-war-against-the-west-emily-schrader/ In this episode, Pamela Paresky speaks with journalist and analyst Emily Schrader about the Islamic Republic of Iran—its ideology, power structure, and the growing signs that the regime may be approaching a breaking point. Schrader explains how the Iranian regime operates both internally and globally: from the role of the IRGC and the suppression of protests, to propaganda, proxy warfare, and influence networks in the West. This is a wide-ranging and deeply informed discussion about one of the most consequential geopolitical challenges of our time. 00:00 Introduction: How Emily Schrader Became Focused on Iran 01:45 Iran vs the Middle East: Identity and History 02:00 Western Media and Narrative Distortion 02:44 The IRGC’s Global Reach 06:30 Exporting the Islamic Revolution 08:00 Terrorism and Radicalisation in the West 09:15 How Iran’s Political System Actually Works 10:00 Why Iranian Elections Aren’t Real 11:00 Reformists vs Hardliners Explained 12:10 Women, Protests, and Mahsa Amini 13:45 Reza Pahlavi and Leadership Questions 14:20 Sport, Repression, and Control 16:45 The 2009 Green Movement 18:30 Economic Collapse and Mismanagement 20:10 Iranian Public Opinion on War 21:15 Prospects for Uprising 22:30 IRGC Defections and Internal Weakness 24:00 Internet Blackouts and Information Control 27:00 Ideology: Islamism and Marxism 30:00 MEK and Opposition Politics 33:00 Separatism and Regime Propaganda 36:00 Iran’s Global Ambitions 38:30 Iranian Diaspora and Western Reactions 40:45 Biggest Western Misconceptions 41:00 Why Negotiations Fail 45:00 Narrative Warfare and the Gaza War 50:30 Containment vs Confrontation 53:20 Refugees and Regional Instability 55:00 Lobbying and Influence in the West 57:20 Current Situation: Who Is in Charge? 01:01:00 What Happens Next for Iran 01:04:30 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:49:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this episode, Pamela Paresky speaks with journalist and analyst Emily Schrader about the Islamic Republic of Iran—its ideology, power structure, and the growing signs that the regime may be approaching a breaking point. Schrader explains how the Iranian regime operates both internally and globally: from the role of the IRGC and the suppression of protests, to propaganda, proxy warfare, and influence networks in the West. This is a wide-ranging and deeply informed discussion about one of the most consequential geopolitical challenges of our time. 00:00 Introduction: How Emily Schrader Became Focused on Iran 01:45 Iran vs the Middle East: Identity and History 02:00 Western Media and Narrative Distortion 02:44 The IRGC’s Global Reach 06:30 Exporting the Islamic Revolution 08:00 Terrorism and Radicalisation in the West 09:15 How Iran’s Political System Actually Works 10:00 Why Iranian Elections Aren’t Real 11:00 Reformists vs Hardliners Explained 12:10 Women, Protests, and Mahsa Amini 13:45 Reza Pahlavi and Leadership Questions 14:20 Sport, Repression, and Control 16:45 The 2009 Green Movement 18:30 Economic Collapse and Mismanagement 20:10 Iranian Public Opinion on War 21:15 Prospects for Uprising 22:30 IRGC Defections and Internal Weakness 24:00 Internet Blackouts and Information Control 27:00 Ideology: Islamism and Marxism 30:00 MEK and Opposition Politics 33:00 Separatism and Regime Propaganda 36:00 Iran’s Global Ambitions 38:30 Iranian Diaspora and Western Reactions 40:45 Biggest Western Misconceptions 41:00 Why Negotiations Fail 45:00 Narrative Warfare and the Gaza War 50:30 Containment vs Confrontation 53:20 Refugees and Regional Instability 55:00 Lobbying and Influence in the West 57:20 Current Situation: Who Is in Charge? 01:01:00 What Happens Next for Iran 01:04:30 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode, Pamela Paresky speaks with journalist and analyst Emily Schrader about the Islamic Republic of Iran—its ideology, power structure, and the growing signs that the regime may be approaching a breaking point. Schrader explains how the Iranian regime operates both internally and globally: from the role of the IRGC and the suppression of protests, to propaganda, proxy warfare, and influence networks in the West. This is a wide-ranging and deeply informed discussion about one of the most consequential geopolitical challenges of our time. 00:00 Introduction: How Emily Schrader Became Focused on Iran 01:45 Iran vs the Middle East: Identity and History 02:00 Western Media and Narrative Distortion 02:44 The IRGC’s Global Reach 06:30 Exporting the Islamic Revolution 08:00 Terrorism and Radicalisation in the West 09:15 How Iran’s Political System Actually Works 10:00 Why Iranian Elections Aren’t Real 11:00 Reformists vs Hardliners Explained 12:10 Women, Protests, and Mahsa Amini 13:45 Reza Pahlavi and Leadership Questions 14:20 Sport, Repression, and Control 16:45 The 2009 Green Movement 18:30 Economic Collapse and Mismanagement 20:10 Iranian Public Opinion on War 21:15 Prospects for Uprising 22:30 IRGC Defections and Internal Weakness 24:00 Internet Blackouts and Information Control 27:00 Ideology: Islamism and Marxism 30:00 MEK and Opposition Politics 33:00 Separatism and Regime Propaganda 36:00 Iran’s Global Ambitions 38:30 Iranian Diaspora and Western Reactions 40:45 Biggest Western Misconceptions 41:00 Why Negotiations Fail 45:00 Narrative Warfare and the Gaza War 50:30 Containment vs Confrontation 53:20 Refugees and Regional Instability 55:00 Lobbying and Influence in the West 57:20 Current Situation: Who Is in Charge? 01:01:00 What Happens Next for Iran 01:04:30 Conclusion

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]]> 4027 Iran’s Revolutionary Regime and the Long War Against the West | Behnam Ben Taleblu In this interview, Iranian-American analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu speaks with Pamela Paresky about the ideological origins of the Islamic Republic, the evolution of Iran’s protest movements, and the geopolitical stakes of the current conflict. From the revolution of 1979 to the regime’s modern network of proxy militias, Taleblu argues that Iran’s ruling system is both internally fragile and externally aggressive—and that its future may depend on the interplay between internal dissent and external pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 17 Mar 2026 01:39:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this interview, Iranian-American analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu speaks with Pamela Paresky about the ideological origins of the Islamic Republic, the evolution of Iran’s protest movements, and the geopolitical stakes of the current conflict. From the revolution of 1979 to the regime’s modern network of proxy militias, Taleblu argues that Iran’s ruling system is both internally fragile and externally aggressive—and that its future may depend on the interplay between internal dissent and external pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this interview, Iranian-American analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu speaks with Pamela Paresky about the ideological origins of the Islamic Republic, the evolution of Iran’s protest movements, and the geopolitical stakes of the current conflict. From the revolution of 1979 to the regime’s modern network of proxy militias, Taleblu argues that Iran’s ruling system is both internally fragile and externally aggressive—and that its future may depend on the interplay between internal dissent and external pressure.

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]]> 4628 Dan Schueftan on Gaza, Iran & the Future of Israel Israel’s recent military victories in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and against Iran have reshaped the regional balance of power. But according to Professor Dan Schueftan, battlefield success is only the beginning. In this wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Schueftan argues that Israel faces not a solvable conflict but a permanent condition — one requiring what he calls “violent maintenance” to prevent enemies from rebuilding. He also contends that Israel is losing Western public opinion amid a broader cultural shift within academia, media and law. Israel, he says, must be “Sparta towards its enemies and Athens at home” — strong externally, liberal internally, and prepared for a long struggle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mon, 02 Mar 2026 04:47:00 -0000 Dan Schueftan on Gaza, Iran & the Future of Israel full Pamela Paresky Dan Schueftan on Gaza, Iran & the Future of Israel Israel’s recent military victories in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and against Iran have reshaped the regional balance of power. But according to Professor Dan Schueftan, battlefield success is only the beginning. In this wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Schueftan argues that Israel faces not a solvable conflict but a permanent condition — one requiring what he calls “violent maintenance” to prevent enemies from rebuilding. He also contends that Israel is losing Western public opinion amid a broader cultural shift within academia, media and law. Israel, he says, must be “Sparta towards its enemies and Athens at home” — strong externally, liberal internally, and prepared for a long struggle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Israel’s recent military victories in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and against Iran have reshaped the regional balance of power. But according to Professor Dan Schueftan, battlefield success is only the beginning. In this wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Schueftan argues that Israel faces not a solvable conflict but a permanent condition — one requiring what he calls “violent maintenance” to prevent enemies from rebuilding.

He also contends that Israel is losing Western public opinion amid a broader cultural shift within academia, media and law. Israel, he says, must be “Sparta towards its enemies and Athens at home” — strong externally, liberal internally, and prepared for a long struggle.

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]]> 4059 Sde Teiman Scandal Exposed: How Israel's Deep State Leaked Fake Rape Story | Gadi Taub In this wide-ranging interview, Israeli historian and public intellectual Gadi Taub joins Quillette’s Pamela Paresky to discuss the controversy surrounding the Sde Teiman detention facility, the leaked surveillance footage that went viral worldwide, and the legal and political fallout inside Israel. Taub argues that the release of the footage triggered one of the most damaging international narratives of the war—and that the real story involves internal power struggles, media institutions, and Israel’s legal establishment. 0:00 — Introduction 0:36 —Interview begins: The Ronen Bergman Lawsuit 3:45 — The ‘Beeper Operation’ Leak 5:38 — How Military Censorship Works in Israel 8:45 — Ali Rosenfeld and Selective Enforcement 10:14 — The Arrest of Force 100 13:19 — The Rape Allegation 15:03 — Who Triggered the Complaint? 19:15 — The Released Detainee 20:17 — A “Show Arrest” and the Riot 22:07 — Channel 12 and the Global Narrative 23:19 — Was It a Frame-Up? 26:46 — The International Court Argument 27:41 — Was the Video Manipulated? 29:36 — Why No Leak Investigation? 31:40 — The Attorney General Intervenes 33:18 — The Shin Bet Shakeup 34:03 — The Lie Detector Revelation 35:32 — The Resignation Letter 37:15 — The Phone in the Sea 39:19 — The Blocked Special Investigator 41:30 — Pegasus and Police Surveillance 43:21 — Public Backlash 45:29 — Israel’s Media Divide 47:08 — “Truth Has Lost Its Monopoly” 49:01 — Orwell and the Ministry of Truth 50:15 — Being Sued and Crowdfunded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:07:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this wide-ranging interview, Israeli historian and public intellectual Gadi Taub joins Quillette’s Pamela Paresky to discuss the controversy surrounding the Sde Teiman detention facility, the leaked surveillance footage that went viral worldwide, and the legal and political fallout inside Israel. Taub argues that the release of the footage triggered one of the most damaging international narratives of the war—and that the real story involves internal power struggles, media institutions, and Israel’s legal establishment. 0:00 — Introduction 0:36 —Interview begins: The Ronen Bergman Lawsuit 3:45 — The ‘Beeper Operation’ Leak 5:38 — How Military Censorship Works in Israel 8:45 — Ali Rosenfeld and Selective Enforcement 10:14 — The Arrest of Force 100 13:19 — The Rape Allegation 15:03 — Who Triggered the Complaint? 19:15 — The Released Detainee 20:17 — A “Show Arrest” and the Riot 22:07 — Channel 12 and the Global Narrative 23:19 — Was It a Frame-Up? 26:46 — The International Court Argument 27:41 — Was the Video Manipulated? 29:36 — Why No Leak Investigation? 31:40 — The Attorney General Intervenes 33:18 — The Shin Bet Shakeup 34:03 — The Lie Detector Revelation 35:32 — The Resignation Letter 37:15 — The Phone in the Sea 39:19 — The Blocked Special Investigator 41:30 — Pegasus and Police Surveillance 43:21 — Public Backlash 45:29 — Israel’s Media Divide 47:08 — “Truth Has Lost Its Monopoly” 49:01 — Orwell and the Ministry of Truth 50:15 — Being Sued and Crowdfunded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this wide-ranging interview, Israeli historian and public intellectual Gadi Taub joins Quillette’s Pamela Paresky to discuss the controversy surrounding the Sde Teiman detention facility, the leaked surveillance footage that went viral worldwide, and the legal and political fallout inside Israel. Taub argues that the release of the footage triggered one of the most damaging international narratives of the war—and that the real story involves internal power struggles, media institutions, and Israel’s legal establishment.


0:00 — Introduction 0:36 —Interview begins: The Ronen Bergman Lawsuit 3:45 — The ‘Beeper Operation’ Leak 5:38 — How Military Censorship Works in Israel 8:45 — Ali Rosenfeld and Selective Enforcement 10:14 — The Arrest of Force 100 13:19 — The Rape Allegation 15:03 — Who Triggered the Complaint? 19:15 — The Released Detainee 20:17 — A “Show Arrest” and the Riot 22:07 — Channel 12 and the Global Narrative 23:19 — Was It a Frame-Up? 26:46 — The International Court Argument 27:41 — Was the Video Manipulated? 29:36 — Why No Leak Investigation? 31:40 — The Attorney General Intervenes 33:18 — The Shin Bet Shakeup 34:03 — The Lie Detector Revelation 35:32 — The Resignation Letter 37:15 — The Phone in the Sea 39:19 — The Blocked Special Investigator 41:30 — Pegasus and Police Surveillance 43:21 — Public Backlash 45:29 — Israel’s Media Divide 47:08 — “Truth Has Lost Its Monopoly” 49:01 — Orwell and the Ministry of Truth 50:15 — Being Sued and Crowdfunded

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]]> 3234 Inside the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s War-Zone Aid Operation with Chapin Fay https://quillette.com/2025/10/23/inside-the-gaza-humanitarian-foundations-war-zone-aid-operation-chapin-fay/ In this extended interview, Quillette’s Pamela Paresky speaks with Chapin Fay, spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an independent American non-profit delivering emergency food aid to Gazans amidst ongoing war. Fay describes how GHF has distributed more than 170 million meals in just four months—without diversion or theft—and explains why their unorthodox model, which includes armed protection and local staffing, has drawn both praise and controversy. He also addresses criticisms from the UN and outlines the complex logistical and moral landscape of operating in one of the world’s most fraught humanitarian environments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this extended interview, Quillette’s Pamela Paresky speaks with Chapin Fay, spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an independent American non-profit delivering emergency food aid to Gazans amidst ongoing war. Fay describes how GHF has distributed more than 170 million meals in just four months—without diversion or theft—and explains why their unorthodox model, which includes armed protection and local staffing, has drawn both praise and controversy. He also addresses criticisms from the UN and outlines the complex logistical and moral landscape of operating in one of the world’s most fraught humanitarian environments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this extended interview, Quillette’s Pamela Paresky speaks with Chapin Fay, spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an independent American non-profit delivering emergency food aid to Gazans amidst ongoing war. Fay describes how GHF has distributed more than 170 million meals in just four months—without diversion or theft—and explains why their unorthodox model, which includes armed protection and local staffing, has drawn both praise and controversy. He also addresses criticisms from the UN and outlines the complex logistical and moral landscape of operating in one of the world’s most fraught humanitarian environments.

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]]> 3514 Media War on Israel: Gil Hoffman Exposes Global Misinformation After October 7" https://quillette.com/2025/10/12/the-media-war-on-israel-gil-hoffman/ Gil Hoffman is the Executive Director of HonestReporting, a Jerusalem-based media watchdog that monitors international news coverage for bias against Israel. He previously served as the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post for nearly 25 years, covering 10 Israeli election campaigns and reporting from over 40 countries. A frequent lecturer on Israeli politics and media, Hoffman has appeared on CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera, and has been a guest lecturer at major universities around the world. He holds a degree in political science and journalism from Northwestern University and served as a reserve spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Gil Hoffman is the Executive Director of HonestReporting, a Jerusalem-based media watchdog that monitors international news coverage for bias against Israel. He previously served as the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post for nearly 25 years, covering 10 Israeli election campaigns and reporting from over 40 countries. A frequent lecturer on Israeli politics and media, Hoffman has appeared on CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera, and has been a guest lecturer at major universities around the world. He holds a degree in political science and journalism from Northwestern University and served as a reserve spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Gil Hoffman is the Executive Director of HonestReporting, a Jerusalem-based media watchdog that monitors international news coverage for bias against Israel. He previously served as the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post for nearly 25 years, covering 10 Israeli election campaigns and reporting from over 40 countries. A frequent lecturer on Israeli politics and media, Hoffman has appeared on CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera, and has been a guest lecturer at major universities around the world. He holds a degree in political science and journalism from Northwestern University and served as a reserve spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.

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]]> 1517 Schrödinger’s Palestine: Einat Wilf on Statehood, Refugees, and Jewish Sovereignty https://quillette.com/2025/09/30/schrodingers-palestine-einat-wilf-on-statehood-refugees-and-jewish-sovereignty/ Pamela Paresky speaks with Israeli intellectual and former Knesset member Einat Wilf about the contradictions of Palestinian statehood, the role of UNRWA, and the enduring rejection of Jewish sovereignty. Editor’s note: This interview was conducted on 22 September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Pamela Paresky speaks with Israeli intellectual and former Knesset member Einat Wilf about the contradictions of Palestinian statehood, the role of UNRWA, and the enduring rejection of Jewish sovereignty. Editor’s note: This interview was conducted on 22 September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Pamela Paresky speaks with Israeli intellectual and former Knesset member Einat Wilf about the contradictions of Palestinian statehood, the role of UNRWA, and the enduring rejection of Jewish sovereignty.

Editor’s note: This interview was conducted on 22 September.

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]]> 3666 How to Build a Better Society—One School at a Time with Katharine Birbalsingh https://quillette.com/2025/07/31/how-to-build-a-better-society-one-school-at-a-time/ In a wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Katharine Birbalsingh—the outspoken headmistress of Michaela Community School in London—explains how discipline, shared values, and traditional teaching methods can do what modern multicultural dogma cannot: create unity and foster excellence among diverse students. From silent corridors to family-style lunches, Birbalsingh’s philosophy is unapologetically old-school—and it’s working. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In a wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Katharine Birbalsingh—the outspoken headmistress of Michaela Community School in London—explains how discipline, shared values, and traditional teaching methods can do what modern multicultural dogma cannot: create unity and foster excellence among diverse students. From silent corridors to family-style lunches, Birbalsingh’s philosophy is unapologetically old-school—and it’s working. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In a wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Katharine Birbalsingh—the outspoken headmistress of Michaela Community School in London—explains how discipline, shared values, and traditional teaching methods can do what modern multicultural dogma cannot: create unity and foster excellence among diverse students. From silent corridors to family-style lunches, Birbalsingh’s philosophy is unapologetically old-school—and it’s working.

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]]> 3184 Blasphemy, Censorship, and the Future of Free Expression in Britain with Toby Young https://quillette.com/2025/07/04/blasphemy-censorship-and-the-future-of-free-expression-in-britain/ In an interview with Pamela Paresky, former Quillette editor Toby Young discusses the current threats to free expression in the UK, focusing on issues of blasphemy, censorship, and the implications of hate speech laws. Young highlights a recent case involving a Turkish political refugee, Hamit Koskun, who was prosecuted for burning a Qur'an in the UK. The case exemplifies the challenges of free speech, as it suggests the presence of "blasphemy codes." Young critiques the "two-tier justice" system and stresses that non-believers must respect religious codes to avoid prosecution. He discusses the broad definitions of speech crimes, including "non-crime hate incidents," and the impact of such records on individuals. Young shares his experience of being "cancelled" and his motivation behind founding the Free Speech Union to support those targeted by cancel culture. Additionally, he reflects on his recent appointment to the House of Lords and discusses potential legislative changes to improve free speech protections. The dialogue underscores the need for robust free speech advocacy amid Europe's evolving political dynamics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In an interview with Pamela Paresky, former Quillette editor Toby Young discusses the current threats to free expression in the UK, focusing on issues of blasphemy, censorship, and the implications of hate speech laws. Young highlights a recent case involving a Turkish political refugee, Hamit Koskun, who was prosecuted for burning a Qur'an in the UK. The case exemplifies the challenges of free speech, as it suggests the presence of "blasphemy codes." Young critiques the "two-tier justice" system and stresses that non-believers must respect religious codes to avoid prosecution. He discusses the broad definitions of speech crimes, including "non-crime hate incidents," and the impact of such records on individuals. Young shares his experience of being "cancelled" and his motivation behind founding the Free Speech Union to support those targeted by cancel culture. Additionally, he reflects on his recent appointment to the House of Lords and discusses potential legislative changes to improve free speech protections. The dialogue underscores the need for robust free speech advocacy amid Europe's evolving political dynamics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In an interview with Pamela Paresky, former Quillette editor Toby Young discusses the current threats to free expression in the UK, focusing on issues of blasphemy, censorship, and the implications of hate speech laws. Young highlights a recent case involving a Turkish political refugee, Hamit Koskun, who was prosecuted for burning a Qur'an in the UK. The case exemplifies the challenges of free speech, as it suggests the presence of "blasphemy codes." Young critiques the "two-tier justice" system and stresses that non-believers must respect religious codes to avoid prosecution. He discusses the broad definitions of speech crimes, including "non-crime hate incidents," and the impact of such records on individuals. Young shares his experience of being "cancelled" and his motivation behind founding the Free Speech Union to support those targeted by cancel culture. Additionally, he reflects on his recent appointment to the House of Lords and discusses potential legislative changes to improve free speech protections. The dialogue underscores the need for robust free speech advocacy amid Europe's evolving political dynamics.

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]]> 2644 From Gaza to the Ivory Tower: The War on Israel with Gadi Taub https://quillette.com/blog/2025/04/08/from-gaza-to-the-ivory-tower-the-war-on-israel-2/ On 9 March, Pamela Paresky sat down with Gadi Taub in Tel Aviv to discuss the war in Gaza, the failures of Israel’s security establishment, and the ideological forces—both inside Israel and across the West—that have undermined the country’s ability to defend itself. Their wide-ranging conversation covers everything from 7 October and the erosion of Israeli deterrence to the rise of postcolonial ideology, the crisis of liberalism, and the battle for narrative power in a media-saturated world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky On 9 March, Pamela Paresky sat down with Gadi Taub in Tel Aviv to discuss the war in Gaza, the failures of Israel’s security establishment, and the ideological forces—both inside Israel and across the West—that have undermined the country’s ability to defend itself. Their wide-ranging conversation covers everything from 7 October and the erosion of Israeli deterrence to the rise of postcolonial ideology, the crisis of liberalism, and the battle for narrative power in a media-saturated world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices On 9 March, Pamela Paresky sat down with Gadi Taub in Tel Aviv to discuss the war in Gaza, the failures of Israel’s security establishment, and the ideological forces—both inside Israel and across the West—that have undermined the country’s ability to defend itself. Their wide-ranging conversation covers everything from 7 October and the erosion of Israeli deterrence to the rise of postcolonial ideology, the crisis of liberalism, and the battle for narrative power in a media-saturated world.

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]]> 5273 How Hamas Leverages Western Values: Insights from Dan Schueftan https://quillette.com/blog/2025/04/02/dan-schueftan-interview-tel-aviv/ On 2 March, Pamela Paresky spoke with Dr Dan Schueftan, a leading Israeli political scientist and national security expert who has advised multiple Israeli prime ministers. They discuss Israel’s resilience after October 7, the necessity of defeating Hamas, and the shifting alliances reshaping the Middle East. Schueftan critiques the influence of ideological extremism on Western democracies and urges a return to pragmatic, civic-minded liberalism. The conversation also touches on leadership, minority rights, immigration in Europe, and the need for meaningful—not symbolic—social progress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky On 2 March, Pamela Paresky spoke with Dr Dan Schueftan, a leading Israeli political scientist and national security expert who has advised multiple Israeli prime ministers. They discuss Israel’s resilience after October 7, the necessity of defeating Hamas, and the shifting alliances reshaping the Middle East. Schueftan critiques the influence of ideological extremism on Western democracies and urges a return to pragmatic, civic-minded liberalism. The conversation also touches on leadership, minority rights, immigration in Europe, and the need for meaningful—not symbolic—social progress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices On 2 March, Pamela Paresky spoke with Dr Dan Schueftan, a leading Israeli political scientist and national security expert who has advised multiple Israeli prime ministers.

They discuss Israel’s resilience after October 7, the necessity of defeating Hamas, and the shifting alliances reshaping the Middle East. Schueftan critiques the influence of ideological extremism on Western democracies and urges a return to pragmatic, civic-minded liberalism.

The conversation also touches on leadership, minority rights, immigration in Europe, and the need for meaningful—not symbolic—social progress.

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]]> 7054 The Israeli-Iranian Conflict: Insight from Gadi Taub https://quillette.com/2024/07/29/israels-fight-for-survival-with-gadi-taub/ In an interview conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024, Israeli historian Gadi Taub discusses the precarious situation Israel faces, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in understanding the nation's conflicts. Taub argues that the ongoing struggles should not be viewed as a continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but as the first Israeli-Iranian war. He contends that Israel must deliver a decisive victory to deter future aggression and suggests that the Iranian-backed encirclement of Israel through proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, poses an existential threat that needs addressing. Taub criticizes the United States' approach, accusing it of appeasing Iran rather than supporting its traditional allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. He suggests that this approach reflects a broader postcolonial philosophy, which he believes is misguided. Taub highlights the need for Israel to rethink its strategy, moving away from the Oslo Accords' vision of a two-state solution, which he believes is currently unviable due to the Palestinian national movement's focus on dismantling Zionism rather than building a nation-state. Furthermore, Taub underlines the danger posed by Iran's strategic moves to surround Israel with hostile forces and stresses the importance of addressing this threat, drawing parallels with historical precedents such as Israel's victory in the 1956 Suez Crisis. He calls for bold action, suggesting Israel may need to annex parts of Gaza and dismantle the Palestinian Authority to secure its future. Ultimately, Taub warns against relying on international support, urging Israel to take responsibility for its security and future amidst evolving geopolitical threats. Editor's note: This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In an interview conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024, Israeli historian Gadi Taub discusses the precarious situation Israel faces, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in understanding the nation's conflicts. Taub argues that the ongoing struggles should not be viewed as a continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but as the first Israeli-Iranian war. He contends that Israel must deliver a decisive victory to deter future aggression and suggests that the Iranian-backed encirclement of Israel through proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, poses an existential threat that needs addressing. Taub criticizes the United States' approach, accusing it of appeasing Iran rather than supporting its traditional allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. He suggests that this approach reflects a broader postcolonial philosophy, which he believes is misguided. Taub highlights the need for Israel to rethink its strategy, moving away from the Oslo Accords' vision of a two-state solution, which he believes is currently unviable due to the Palestinian national movement's focus on dismantling Zionism rather than building a nation-state. Furthermore, Taub underlines the danger posed by Iran's strategic moves to surround Israel with hostile forces and stresses the importance of addressing this threat, drawing parallels with historical precedents such as Israel's victory in the 1956 Suez Crisis. He calls for bold action, suggesting Israel may need to annex parts of Gaza and dismantle the Palestinian Authority to secure its future. Ultimately, Taub warns against relying on international support, urging Israel to take responsibility for its security and future amidst evolving geopolitical threats. Editor's note: This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In an interview conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024, Israeli historian Gadi Taub discusses the precarious situation Israel faces, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in understanding the nation's conflicts. Taub argues that the ongoing struggles should not be viewed as a continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but as the first Israeli-Iranian war. He contends that Israel must deliver a decisive victory to deter future aggression and suggests that the Iranian-backed encirclement of Israel through proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, poses an existential threat that needs addressing.


Taub criticizes the United States' approach, accusing it of appeasing Iran rather than supporting its traditional allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. He suggests that this approach reflects a broader postcolonial philosophy, which he believes is misguided. Taub highlights the need for Israel to rethink its strategy, moving away from the Oslo Accords' vision of a two-state solution, which he believes is currently unviable due to the Palestinian national movement's focus on dismantling Zionism rather than building a nation-state.


Furthermore, Taub underlines the danger posed by Iran's strategic moves to surround Israel with hostile forces and stresses the importance of addressing this threat, drawing parallels with historical precedents such as Israel's victory in the 1956 Suez Crisis. He calls for bold action, suggesting Israel may need to annex parts of Gaza and dismantle the Palestinian Authority to secure its future. Ultimately, Taub warns against relying on international support, urging Israel to take responsibility for its security and future amidst evolving geopolitical threats.


Editor's note: This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024.

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]]> 2638 Is This the First Iranian–Israeli War? An Interview with Gadi Taub https://quillette.com/2024/07/26/is-this-the-first-iranian-israeli-war-an-interview-with-gadi-taub/ Pamela Paresky speaks with historian Gadi Taub about the 7 October attacks, the failure of Israel’s political and military leadership, the ideology of Hamas, and why the current war marks the beginning of a wider regional conflict with Iran. Editor's note: This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Pamela Paresky speaks with historian Gadi Taub about the 7 October attacks, the failure of Israel’s political and military leadership, the ideology of Hamas, and why the current war marks the beginning of a wider regional conflict with Iran. Editor's note: This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Pamela Paresky speaks with historian Gadi Taub about the 7 October attacks, the failure of Israel’s political and military leadership, the ideology of Hamas, and why the current war marks the beginning of a wider regional conflict with Iran.

Editor's note: This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in July 2024.

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]]> 1380 Understanding Israel's Politics: Insights from Lahav Harkov https://quillette.com/blog/2024/07/19/lahav-harkov-transcript/ In an interview by Pamela Paresky, Lahav Harkov, a journalist and political analyst, discusses the Israeli parliamentary system, highlighting the challenges of forming coalitions and the voter’s role in selecting parties over individual candidates. She examines the tension between ultra-Orthodox Jews, exempt from military service, and the secular community, emphasising the need for mutual recognition in achieving peace agreements. Harkov explores the history of Israeli concessions, the complexities of settlements, and the significance of the West Bank and Jerusalem. Additionally, she addresses the interplay between religion and politics, the impact of conflicts with groups like Hamas, and the stability of the current government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In an interview by Pamela Paresky, Lahav Harkov, a journalist and political analyst, discusses the Israeli parliamentary system, highlighting the challenges of forming coalitions and the voter’s role in selecting parties over individual candidates. She examines the tension between ultra-Orthodox Jews, exempt from military service, and the secular community, emphasising the need for mutual recognition in achieving peace agreements. Harkov explores the history of Israeli concessions, the complexities of settlements, and the significance of the West Bank and Jerusalem. Additionally, she addresses the interplay between religion and politics, the impact of conflicts with groups like Hamas, and the stability of the current government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In an interview by Pamela Paresky, Lahav Harkov, a journalist and political analyst, discusses the Israeli parliamentary system, highlighting the challenges of forming coalitions and the voter’s role in selecting parties over individual candidates. She examines the tension between ultra-Orthodox Jews, exempt from military service, and the secular community, emphasising the need for mutual recognition in achieving peace agreements. Harkov explores the history of Israeli concessions, the complexities of settlements, and the significance of the West Bank and Jerusalem. Additionally, she addresses the interplay between religion and politics, the impact of conflicts with groups like Hamas, and the stability of the current government.

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]]> 3395 Noah Shufutinsky on Zionism, Jewish History, and the Legacy of October 7th Musician and educator Noah Shufutinsky speaks with Pamela Paresky about the trauma of October 7th, the roots of Jewish identity, and the ideological distortions taking hold on Western university campuses. Noah Shufutinsky, known by his stage name Westside Gravy, is a multifaceted artist, rapper, and activist who has gained recognition for his unique blend of musical talent and advocacy. He is known for using his platform to address social and political issues, particularly those affecting Jewish and African-American communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 13 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Musician and educator Noah Shufutinsky speaks with Pamela Paresky about the trauma of October 7th, the roots of Jewish identity, and the ideological distortions taking hold on Western university campuses. Noah Shufutinsky, known by his stage name Westside Gravy, is a multifaceted artist, rapper, and activist who has gained recognition for his unique blend of musical talent and advocacy. He is known for using his platform to address social and political issues, particularly those affecting Jewish and African-American communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Musician and educator Noah Shufutinsky speaks with Pamela Paresky about the trauma of October 7th, the roots of Jewish identity, and the ideological distortions taking hold on Western university campuses.

Noah Shufutinsky, known by his stage name Westside Gravy, is a multifaceted artist, rapper, and activist who has gained recognition for his unique blend of musical talent and advocacy. He is known for using his platform to address social and political issues, particularly those affecting Jewish and African-American communities.

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]]> 2955 Boaz Bismuth on Israel’s Right to Self-Defence https://quillette.com/blog/2024/07/12/boaz-bismuth/ The Knesset member speaks about his moving address to the European Parliament in which he highlighted the double standards that the international community places on Jews and Israelis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky The Knesset member speaks about his moving address to the European Parliament in which he highlighted the double standards that the international community places on Jews and Israelis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The Knesset member speaks about his moving address to the European Parliament in which he highlighted the double standards that the international community places on Jews and Israelis.

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]]> 1466 How the Pro-Palestine Movement Distorted Civil Rights History https://quillette.com/blog/2024/07/03/gil-troy-pro-palestine-movement-is-anti-american/ Historian Gil Troy delves into the destructive nature of the Palestinian movement and its hijacking of symbols and language from the civil rights movement. His conversation with Paresky also highlights the regressive progressivism and illiberal liberalism that has infiltrated campuses and the education system, leading to the propagation of antisemitism and the erosion of core values. It emphasises the need to rebuild a language rooted in genuine liberalism and conservatism to counteract this distortion. Their conversation covers various topics related to the challenges faced by universities, the distortion of narratives around Israel and the United States, and the difference between Islam and Islamism. Gil Troy emphasises the need for critical thinking and understanding the complexity of these issues. He also highlights the dangers of ignoring the threat posed by Islamist ideologies and the importance of holding them accountable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Historian Gil Troy delves into the destructive nature of the Palestinian movement and its hijacking of symbols and language from the civil rights movement. His conversation with Paresky also highlights the regressive progressivism and illiberal liberalism that has infiltrated campuses and the education system, leading to the propagation of antisemitism and the erosion of core values. It emphasises the need to rebuild a language rooted in genuine liberalism and conservatism to counteract this distortion. Their conversation covers various topics related to the challenges faced by universities, the distortion of narratives around Israel and the United States, and the difference between Islam and Islamism. Gil Troy emphasises the need for critical thinking and understanding the complexity of these issues. He also highlights the dangers of ignoring the threat posed by Islamist ideologies and the importance of holding them accountable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Historian Gil Troy delves into the destructive nature of the Palestinian movement and its hijacking of symbols and language from the civil rights movement. His conversation with Paresky also highlights the regressive progressivism and illiberal liberalism that has infiltrated campuses and the education system, leading to the propagation of antisemitism and the erosion of core values. It emphasises the need to rebuild a language rooted in genuine liberalism and conservatism to counteract this distortion.

Their conversation covers various topics related to the challenges faced by universities, the distortion of narratives around Israel and the United States, and the difference between Islam and Islamism.

Gil Troy emphasises the need for critical thinking and understanding the complexity of these issues. He also highlights the dangers of ignoring the threat posed by Islamist ideologies and the importance of holding them accountable.

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]]> 4732 Inside Kibbutz Nir Oz: Dani Elgarat on the October 7 Hamas Attack and His Brother’s Abduction https://quillette.com/2024/06/30/an-interview-with-dani-elgarat-brother-of-israeli-hostage-itzik-elgarat/ Pamela Paresky speaks with Dani Elgarat, brother of Israeli hostage Itzik Elgarat, about the October 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. In this powerful interview, Elgarat recounts the moment his brother was abducted to Gaza, the anguish faced by hostage families, and the failures of the Israeli government in the wake of the massacre. The discussion also explores the ideological roots of Islamist violence, the difference between Islam and Islamism, and the broader implications of the attack for Israeli society, unity, and security. This episode is part of Quillette’s ongoing series After October 7, documenting firsthand stories of survivors, hostages, and analysts on the war between Israel and Hamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Dani Elgarat recounts the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, the abduction of his brother Itzik, and the struggle of Israeli hostage families—an unflinching look at loss, resilience, and the ideology behind October 7. Pamela Paresky speaks with Dani Elgarat, brother of Israeli hostage Itzik Elgarat, about the October 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. In this powerful interview, Elgarat recounts the moment his brother was abducted to Gaza, the anguish faced by hostage families, and the failures of the Israeli government in the wake of the massacre. The discussion also explores the ideological roots of Islamist violence, the difference between Islam and Islamism, and the broader implications of the attack for Israeli society, unity, and security. This episode is part of Quillette’s ongoing series After October 7, documenting firsthand stories of survivors, hostages, and analysts on the war between Israel and Hamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Pamela Paresky speaks with Dani Elgarat, brother of Israeli hostage Itzik Elgarat, about the October 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
In this powerful interview, Elgarat recounts the moment his brother was abducted to Gaza, the anguish faced by hostage families, and the failures of the Israeli government in the wake of the massacre.
The discussion also explores the ideological roots of Islamist violence, the difference between Islam and Islamism, and the broader implications of the attack for Israeli society, unity, and security.
This episode is part of Quillette’s ongoing series After October 7, documenting firsthand stories of survivors, hostages, and analysts on the war between Israel and Hamas.

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]]> 2156 Understanding the Gaza Conflict with Jonathan Conricus https://quillette.com/2024/04/16/jonathan-conricus-interview-world-kitchen-idf/ Pamela Paresky conducts an in-depth interview with Jonathan Conricus, the former spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), discussing various aspects of the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Gaza. Conricus addresses the recent accidental killing of aid workers, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and transparency in military actions. He details the involvement of Hamas in civilian areas, particularly the Shifa Hospital, which was used as a military asset by Hamas. Conricus also highlights the challenges of managing humanitarian aid and infrastructure in Gaza, pointing out the complexities introduced by regional politics, including the role of Egypt and international perceptions. The interview sheds light on the strategic and humanitarian efforts needed to address the conflict, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics involving Iran's influence in the region. Conricus concludes by asserting Israel's intention to defeat Hamas and the need for rebuilding efforts in Gaza, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of regional instability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Pamela Paresky conducts an in-depth interview with Jonathan Conricus, the former spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), discussing various aspects of the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Gaza. Conricus addresses the recent accidental killing of aid workers, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and transparency in military actions. He details the involvement of Hamas in civilian areas, particularly the Shifa Hospital, which was used as a military asset by Hamas. Conricus also highlights the challenges of managing humanitarian aid and infrastructure in Gaza, pointing out the complexities introduced by regional politics, including the role of Egypt and international perceptions. The interview sheds light on the strategic and humanitarian efforts needed to address the conflict, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics involving Iran's influence in the region. Conricus concludes by asserting Israel's intention to defeat Hamas and the need for rebuilding efforts in Gaza, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of regional instability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Pamela Paresky conducts an in-depth interview with Jonathan Conricus, the former spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), discussing various aspects of the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Gaza. Conricus addresses the recent accidental killing of aid workers, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and transparency in military actions. He details the involvement of Hamas in civilian areas, particularly the Shifa Hospital, which was used as a military asset by Hamas. Conricus also highlights the challenges of managing humanitarian aid and infrastructure in Gaza, pointing out the complexities introduced by regional politics, including the role of Egypt and international perceptions. The interview sheds light on the strategic and humanitarian efforts needed to address the conflict, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics involving Iran's influence in the region. Conricus concludes by asserting Israel's intention to defeat Hamas and the need for rebuilding efforts in Gaza, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of regional instability.

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]]> 2568 Michal Cotler-Wunsh on the Persistent Evolution of Antisemitism https://quillette.com/blog/2024/04/05/michal-cotler-wunsh-pamela-paresky/ Cotler-Wunsh discusses the enduring and evolving nature of antisemitism, emphasizing how it has adapted over time rather than disappeared. She outlines the challenges faced by Israel and Jewish communities worldwide in combating these prejudices, especially in the context of recent global events. The interview explores various fronts where antisemitism manifests, including international institutions, academia, and digital spaces. Cotler-Wunsh highlights the urgency for a cohesive strategy to tackle these issues and stresses the importance of redefining and understanding Zionism as an integral identity. The conversation touches upon historical references, like the Holocaust, and the misuse of its memory in today's political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Cotler-Wunsh discusses the enduring and evolving nature of antisemitism, emphasizing how it has adapted over time rather than disappeared. She outlines the challenges faced by Israel and Jewish communities worldwide in combating these prejudices, especially in the context of recent global events. The interview explores various fronts where antisemitism manifests, including international institutions, academia, and digital spaces. Cotler-Wunsh highlights the urgency for a cohesive strategy to tackle these issues and stresses the importance of redefining and understanding Zionism as an integral identity. The conversation touches upon historical references, like the Holocaust, and the misuse of its memory in today's political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Cotler-Wunsh discusses the enduring and evolving nature of antisemitism, emphasizing how it has adapted over time rather than disappeared. She outlines the challenges faced by Israel and Jewish communities worldwide in combating these prejudices, especially in the context of recent global events. The interview explores various fronts where antisemitism manifests, including international institutions, academia, and digital spaces. Cotler-Wunsh highlights the urgency for a cohesive strategy to tackle these issues and stresses the importance of redefining and understanding Zionism as an integral identity. The conversation touches upon historical references, like the Holocaust, and the misuse of its memory in today's political landscape.



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]]> 3787 Chayal's Angels: Tasha Cohen on Civilian Support and Healing During Israel’s War In this moving conversation recorded in January 2024, Tasha Cohen shares how she turned personal trauma and a narrow escape from a car explosion into the founding of Chayal's Angels, a volunteer network providing holistic therapies to Israeli reservists during wartime. Speaking with Quillette’s Pamela Paresky, Cohen reflects on service, survival, and why supporting soldiers’ emotional and physical wellbeing is essential not only for victory, but for life after war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this moving conversation recorded in January 2024, Tasha Cohen shares how she turned personal trauma and a narrow escape from a car explosion into the founding of Chayal's Angels, a volunteer network providing holistic therapies to Israeli reservists during wartime. Speaking with Quillette’s Pamela Paresky, Cohen reflects on service, survival, and why supporting soldiers’ emotional and physical wellbeing is essential not only for victory, but for life after war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this moving conversation recorded in January 2024, Tasha Cohen shares how she turned personal trauma and a narrow escape from a car explosion into the founding of Chayal's Angels, a volunteer network providing holistic therapies to Israeli reservists during wartime. Speaking with Quillette’s Pamela Paresky, Cohen reflects on service, survival, and why supporting soldiers’ emotional and physical wellbeing is essential not only for victory, but for life after war.

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]]> 3102 Hillel Fuld on Losing His Brother to Terrorism https://quillette.com/2024/03/20/hillel-fuld-on-losing-his-brother-to-terrorism/ In this conversation, Quillette’s Pamela Paresky speaks with Israeli entrepreneur and advocate Hillel Fuld in the wake of the 7 October Hamas attacks. Fuld, who lost his brother Ari to a terror attack in 2018, reflects on his personal experiences, the trauma of ongoing conflict, and his transition from a tech-focused career to full-time advocacy for Israel. The discussion explores widespread misconceptions about Zionism and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the moral and psychological challenges faced by Jews in Israel and around the world. Drawing on personal loss, religious tradition, and historical memory, Fuld speaks with urgency and passion about truth, unity, and resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 24 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this conversation, Quillette’s Pamela Paresky speaks with Israeli entrepreneur and advocate Hillel Fuld in the wake of the 7 October Hamas attacks. Fuld, who lost his brother Ari to a terror attack in 2018, reflects on his personal experiences, the trauma of ongoing conflict, and his transition from a tech-focused career to full-time advocacy for Israel. The discussion explores widespread misconceptions about Zionism and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the moral and psychological challenges faced by Jews in Israel and around the world. Drawing on personal loss, religious tradition, and historical memory, Fuld speaks with urgency and passion about truth, unity, and resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this conversation, Quillette’s Pamela Paresky speaks with Israeli entrepreneur and advocate Hillel Fuld in the wake of the 7 October Hamas attacks. Fuld, who lost his brother Ari to a terror attack in 2018, reflects on his personal experiences, the trauma of ongoing conflict, and his transition from a tech-focused career to full-time advocacy for Israel. The discussion explores widespread misconceptions about Zionism and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the moral and psychological challenges faced by Jews in Israel and around the world. Drawing on personal loss, religious tradition, and historical memory, Fuld speaks with urgency and passion about truth, unity, and resilience.

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]]> 4058 Dan Schueftan's Perspective on the Israel-Palestine Conflict https://quillette.com/2024/03/04/dan-schueftan-transcript/ Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky interviews Israeli academic Dan Schueftan about the Israel-Palestine conflict, why he wasn't surprised by October 7th, and his hopes for the future of Israel. Dan Schueftan was an advisor to Israel's National Security Council, and to former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. He has served as a lecturer and researcher at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Haifa and the National Defense College of the Israel Defense Forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky interviews Israeli academic Dan Schueftan about the Israel-Palestine conflict, why he wasn't surprised by October 7th, and his hopes for the future of Israel. Dan Schueftan was an advisor to Israel's National Security Council, and to former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. He has served as a lecturer and researcher at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Haifa and the National Defense College of the Israel Defense Forces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky interviews Israeli academic Dan Schueftan about the Israel-Palestine conflict, why he wasn't surprised by October 7th, and his hopes for the future of Israel.

Dan Schueftan was an advisor to Israel's National Security Council, and to former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. He has served as a lecturer and researcher at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Haifa and the National Defense College of the Israel Defense Forces.


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]]> 3672 Zionism, Antisemitism, and the Adult Industry: Michael Lucas’s Story https://quillette.com/2024/02/24/zionism-antisemitism-and-the-adult-industry-michael-lucass-story/ In this in-depth conversation, adult film producer Michael Lucas speaks with psychologist and writer Pamela Paresky about growing up gay and Jewish in the Soviet Union, his lifelong connection to Israel, and the recent backlash he faced after posting a pro-Israel message on social media. Lucas reflects on the rise of antisemitism in progressive spaces, the erasure of Jewish suffering, and the moral confusion of an industry where performers who identify as queer condemned him — while defending regimes that criminalise homosexuality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In this in-depth conversation, adult film producer Michael Lucas speaks with psychologist and writer Pamela Paresky about growing up gay and Jewish in the Soviet Union, his lifelong connection to Israel, and the recent backlash he faced after posting a pro-Israel message on social media. Lucas reflects on the rise of antisemitism in progressive spaces, the erasure of Jewish suffering, and the moral confusion of an industry where performers who identify as queer condemned him — while defending regimes that criminalise homosexuality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this in-depth conversation, adult film producer Michael Lucas speaks with psychologist and writer Pamela Paresky about growing up gay and Jewish in the Soviet Union, his lifelong connection to Israel, and the recent backlash he faced after posting a pro-Israel message on social media.

Lucas reflects on the rise of antisemitism in progressive spaces, the erasure of Jewish suffering, and the moral confusion of an industry where performers who identify as queer condemned him — while defending regimes that criminalise homosexuality.

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]]> 3439 Izabella Tabarovsky on the Soviet Roots of Anti-Zionist Discourse https://quillette.com/2024/02/13/izabella-tabarovsky-on-the-soviet-roots-of-anti-zionist-discourse/ Pamela Paresky interviews Izabella Tabarovsky, a researcher, writer, and longtime Quillette contributor. Tabarovsky specialises in the Soviet Jewish experience, the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, and the politics of historical memory in the post-Soviet space. Her work examines how narratives of the past are constructed, manipulated, and remembered, particularly in Russia and its former republics. Together, they discuss how the legacy of Soviet repression continues to shape cultural identity and political discourse around Israel and Jewish issues today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky Pamela Paresky interviews Izabella Tabarovsky, a researcher, writer, and longtime Quillette contributor. Tabarovsky specialises in the Soviet Jewish experience, the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, and the politics of historical memory in the post-Soviet space. Her work examines how narratives of the past are constructed, manipulated, and remembered, particularly in Russia and its former republics. Together, they discuss how the legacy of Soviet repression continues to shape cultural identity and political discourse around Israel and Jewish issues today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Pamela Paresky interviews Izabella Tabarovsky, a researcher, writer, and longtime Quillette contributor. Tabarovsky specialises in the Soviet Jewish experience, the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, and the politics of historical memory in the post-Soviet space. Her work examines how narratives of the past are constructed, manipulated, and remembered, particularly in Russia and its former republics. Together, they discuss how the legacy of Soviet repression continues to shape cultural identity and political discourse around Israel and Jewish issues today.

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]]> 3672 Natan Sharansky Reflects on Navalny's Fight Against Oppression https://quillette.com/blog/2024/07/01/natan-sharansky-alexei-navalny/ In an interview conducted by Pamela Paresky, Natan Sharansky discusses Alexei Navalny's sacrifice and bravery in opposing Putin, ultimately leading to his harsh imprisonment and presumed killing by the regime. Sharansky reflects on freedom as living in accordance with one's beliefs, regardless of physical restrictions. He warns against doublethink and antisemitism, drawing parallels with historical and current political climates. Sharansky critiques the Oslo approach towards Palestinian self-governance, advocating for a focus on building democratic civil societies. He expresses concern over the growing anti-liberal ideologies in Western universities and emphasizes the need for a task beyond just eliminating antisemitism: ensuring it does not become dangerous. Sharansky calls for unity in Israeli society and highlights the dangers of betraying liberal ideas for illiberal, neo-Marxist ideologies that misinterpret concepts of oppression and revolution. This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in Israel in February 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0000 full Pamela Paresky In an interview conducted by Pamela Paresky, Natan Sharansky discusses Alexei Navalny's sacrifice and bravery in opposing Putin, ultimately leading to his harsh imprisonment and presumed killing by the regime. Sharansky reflects on freedom as living in accordance with one's beliefs, regardless of physical restrictions. He warns against doublethink and antisemitism, drawing parallels with historical and current political climates. Sharansky critiques the Oslo approach towards Palestinian self-governance, advocating for a focus on building democratic civil societies. He expresses concern over the growing anti-liberal ideologies in Western universities and emphasizes the need for a task beyond just eliminating antisemitism: ensuring it does not become dangerous. Sharansky calls for unity in Israeli society and highlights the dangers of betraying liberal ideas for illiberal, neo-Marxist ideologies that misinterpret concepts of oppression and revolution. This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in Israel in February 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In an interview conducted by Pamela Paresky, Natan Sharansky discusses Alexei Navalny's sacrifice and bravery in opposing Putin, ultimately leading to his harsh imprisonment and presumed killing by the regime. Sharansky reflects on freedom as living in accordance with one's beliefs, regardless of physical restrictions. He warns against doublethink and antisemitism, drawing parallels with historical and current political climates. Sharansky critiques the Oslo approach towards Palestinian self-governance, advocating for a focus on building democratic civil societies. He expresses concern over the growing anti-liberal ideologies in Western universities and emphasizes the need for a task beyond just eliminating antisemitism: ensuring it does not become dangerous. Sharansky calls for unity in Israeli society and highlights the dangers of betraying liberal ideas for illiberal, neo-Marxist ideologies that misinterpret concepts of oppression and revolution.

This interview was conducted by Pamela Paresky in Israel in February 2024.

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