Maybe I need to look more into the host’s background, but for someone in London, he sure has a lot of opinions on Israel and the people of Israel. If anything, at least address each other’s inaccuracies.

Mostly love the podcast but I have a slight bone to pick with the recent “comedic” slights on Reform Judaism. I happily suggest bringing in some reform rabbis to help teach all the “modern” skeptics a few things.

Why don’t you invite an American, conservative Jewish co-host? David Remnick represents the progressive, very liberal left. As a Jew, and one of the 51% of all Americans who voted for Trump, I’d like to hear a different view of Trump and American politics. 1) Both sides are corrupt. Ivanka Trump makes her money in public. Hunter Biden and the ENTIRE Biden family (Joe = the big guy) made money surreptitiously. 2) the “main stream” press covered up Biden’s deterioration and lied to Americans. I’m a physician, but even my non-medical friends saw it in early 2022. 3) Those same press propped up Harris and ganged up on Trump (Not one Republican on NPR’s editorial staff, a Hamas child’s view for a “documentary” on BBC, etc.). I could go on, but won’t. Get a smart, articulate, Jewish pundit like Greg Gutfeld. I can’t stand the overtly left view anymore. MJH out! Just saying…

Excellent discussion with Tom Friedman. He is so smart, thoughtful and articulate. Always informative to hear or read him.

Fabulous show! Good job of getting out of the way. The most informative, valuable discussion of the dilemma we USA Jews are wrestling with (hanging preposition). We listen to Senor, and truly respect his work, but I really enjoyed listening to a legitimate, nuanced debate that challenged him. You two are the best!! And fun….. Andy and Nancy in North California

I’m catching up on episodes. This has nothing to do with the theme and concept of your show. Just to say that I found Yonit’s remark on Monica Lewinsky truly distasteful, followed by Jonathan’s equally distasteful “that was good fun”. This is fun? the misery of four people (yeah I’m including Chelsea) caught in a situation that was publicly exploited by republicans? And what, make fun of almost the only president who tried to do something about the Israeli Palestinian mess? What century do you people live in? Other than that, I see reviews are divided in half between praising Jonathan or Yonit. Maybe Jonathan could speak less, given that he’s outside of the trauma of the actual war?

Update to previous review: Today 8/30/2024 Johnathan said something about Gaza being occupied by Israel. GAZA IS NOT OCCUPIED BY ISRAEL!!! As a podcast host and author you should KNOW THIS!! Stop giving support to Israel’s haters!!! It’s so disappointing! Yonit is fabulous- signed an American Jew. ******************************************* Absolutely loving the show and I listen to every episode. Was annoyed today to listen to Jonathan being bothered by the video of Tel Aviv nightclub DJ playing song re: burn the village (or whatever it said). If you had been in US anywhere after 9/11 this would have been the sentiment. Israelis have had rockets coming at them daily for years, 10/7 was the last straw. I am an American but I would feel the same way as those people in the nightclub if it were the US being attacked by Hamas and I am a liberal Democrat. Until your country is under attack and at war you don’t get it. While I am sad for innocent Gazans who are being killed, I absolutely support what Israel is doing right now. They don’t have a choice. Their existence is at risk!!! Wake up to reality Jonathan.

Jonathan delivers nuanced, critical analysis of the war and Israel - an Everyman perspective that is compassionate and not emotionally invested in any narrative. And then there is Yonit, who brings commentary that is to be expected from mainstream Israeli media. It can be very frustrating, and I can picture Jonathan rolling his eyes at half the things she says.

I was a fan of the show, particularly of Jonathan’s thoughtful insights and intelligent interview style. However, after so many months in which the two hosts have reported on the subject of Israel’s self-destruction, otherwise called the judiciary overhaul, Yonit undid any integrity that this podcast retained with her utterly pathetic performance on her nightly show in which she allowed the racist pyromaniac Ben Gvir to spew dangerous, hateful, racists statements— unchecked by her, and culminating with thanking him for the interview. This choice of hers was so head-scratchingly stupid, journalistically lazy and just plain irresponsible that unfortunately I can no longer listen to this show. Unfollowing. Too bad.

I have been a fan of Jonathan’s writing and analysis since 2013 and I love listening to him. He tends to be evenhanded and not biased towards a certain side dispute being Jewish. Yonit constantly trying to justify all Israeli behavior no matter how despicable it may be is a real turn off. I wish the podcast was just Jonathan and may be David Remnick from the New Yorker.

I’m an American Jew and this podcast has been TREMENDOUSLY interesting for me. It gives me an understanding of Israel—here and now, not as constructed in my mind over the past 50 years—that I couldn’t get anywhere else. We need more of this. Can’t thank you enough.

I feel terrible giving Ronit’s podcast only 3 stars but Jonathan anti-Israel bias/obsession makes this a tough listen. I’d be up for it if he was bringing forward new insights. But it’s always just reminders of things we already know. Please let Ronit talk more so we can understand what we don’t know, namely how Israelis are feeling and thinking.

I look forward to hearing this podcast every Friday. I enjoy the guests and the hosts. I find myself agreeing with both points of view because I feel so conflicted about thinking that I have even a remote steak in this compared to what my friends are going through. How can I say in the war when I know what’s at stake and then I want to say and the war we are all suffering. The amount of antisemitism that we are experiencing in the US is more than I’ve ever known and I’ve always believed that most people are anti-Semitic under the skin, I have learned from this experience that the people I think or anti-Semitic are not and are very very supportive, and the people that I thought would never be antisemitic are. I worry about my grandchildren and my children. The United States is in a fight for its soul. right now and everything is a balagan .

Consistently highly thoughtful analysis and excellent guests. Superb perspective on events in Israel and the region.

I look forward to this show every week. I have been watching Yonit on Channel 12 news for years and was so glad to discover this podcast. It truly is the best analysis of Israeli politics and what is happening on the ground in English. Yonit and Jonathan are detailed, nuanced, and show all sides of an argument. Even when they don’t agree, they are able to thoughtfully present their views on an issue, backed by facts and history.

If only Jonathan could give Yonit equal - or better yet - greater - talking time (the stars are for her; and the lack of 3 stars for having to endure Jonathan to listen to Yonit’s balanced, nuanced, insider perspective.) But instead, for every breath Yonit takes, Jonathan occupies the microphone for the next 5-10 minutes (and what feels like an eternity) simply parroting the anti Israel mainstream media party line. Does he have an original thought of his own to contribute that isn’t placing all blame, responsibility and skepticism on Israel and its great leading villain Netanyahu, and ignoring Hamas as apart of the story? From his comfortable armchair in London, does he have greater military, psychological and political insight on Israel than people in Israel..? Its great that he seems to know everything about how Israel can be do better and be greater, with a complete lack of humility or equal skepticism to the propaganda he shovels out uncritically like a good little soldier. On the other hand, listening to Yonit, you get to hear how Israelis think and feel about what they are experiencing from the personal, political, and military perspective; she can be critical of things happening inside Israel, but shows the complex reality of the experience that can’t be summed up in the good/evil/right/wrong framework Jonathan subscribes to. If only Jonathan could be as critical of his own views as he is of Netanyahu, perhaps he would add some value to the conversation; and perhaps if he was less a stereotype, he could let his female co anchor have equal time talking.

I look so forward to each week’s episode and really appreciate the views and discussions that take place, both between the hosts but also with the many outstanding guests. I began listening shortly after October 7th, and though it has been difficult at times, I always finish each episode with a tinge of optimism in the face of the many challenges of these times.

Jonathan might as well join a pro-Hamas rally because he is as antisemtic as anyone else in that crowd. Unbelievable how harsh and critical he is of Israel - you can almost hear him frothing at the mouth, excited to distance himself from Israel and be a “good progressive Jew”. I am heartbroken over innocent deaths in Gaza, but I have the moral clarity to differentiate between genocidal intent (Hamas) and the realities of war, especially a war in which the militant terrorists (Hamas) hide amongst their civilian population and try to create scenarios where there will be as much death as possible, despite Israel’s abundant attempts at limiting civilian casualties.

This is a smart podcast that I look forward to each week. One issue, that the authors themselves have addressed, is how it is impossible for Israeli Yonit Levy to have a detached, purely intellectual conversation about some of these topics. The pain of this moment is understandably personal for her. In contrast, Mr Freedland, although Jewish, seems disconnected emotionally from many of the issues discussed. He is polished and intelligent, but comes across as being “above it all”. Hoping that Israel and the Jewish diaspora will keep the door open and continue important conversations.

Excellent podcast with vital interviews in this time of twisted, upside-down versions of the truth about Israel. Love it. But I often can’t listen or have to fast forward through Jonathan, who is a consistently predictable mouthpiece for the overwhelming anti-Israeli lens we in the west are trying desperately to escape, a point of view which would be fine here if he weren’t in addition so pompously longwinded, saying what he’s going to say, saying it again, and sloooowly, and once more and again lest we didn’t get it the first time . yonit is sharp and to the point and far more respectful of the already highly informed audience that we are. Give her more air time please, and less to the condescending Englishman and his self-righteous, obvious guardian- lefty lens…

This show has become an important listen for me every week surfacing a mix of voices about Israel and their perspectives on current events. Highly recommend!

Once again I am saddened by how one sided you podcast is. Sorry that you did not chose to interview Jewish students who are organizing, supporting, participating in the encampments. You have chosen to highlife the most inflammatory aspects of the demonstrations. You didn’t even mention the demonstrations on campuses where they have been completely peaceful. The student from Harvardwas at least trying to be more measured in her comments than the student from Columbia. In addition I would like to address Yonit’s comments regarding that Israel is the only country whose legitimacy is questioned and the slogans calling for burning down of Tel Aviv. I don’t support either of those positions but I do recognize that they have arisen in a context. Israel is the only country in the world as far as a I know that was created by the determination of a population who lived in the diaspora for centuries and the political interests of a power strong enough to facilitate the realization of their hopes. The Balfour declaration which legitimized the aspirations of European Jews to have a homeland came about because Lloyd George then Prime Minister of Great Britain was looking for support from British Jews for the war effort during the war against the Ottoman Empire. The slogans specify the burning down of Tel Aviv because Tel Aviv was built from the desert by the diaspora Jews post Israel’s Declaration of Independence. There is a reason why Tel Aviv is being singled out no one is calling for the burning down of Jerusalem Haifa both cities which existed prior to the establishment of Israel as a country. I am sure you both know this history to fail to provide that context for your listeners who may not be aware of it is cynical. Yes these are very difficult issues requiring a willingness to be curious and accept nuance. I have certainly been personally been very disappointed by how difficult it has been to engage both Jews and Israeli and not Israeli as well as Palestinian supporters in a dialogue. Your podcast could be a space for that dialogue and yet you consistently tip the scales in favor of the Israeli Zionist position. I would very much like to hear you interview Israelis both Jewish and Palestinian who continue to work hard to for a future in which Palestinian and Israelis can share the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Great interview with Scott Galloway the other day. I’m new to the podcast, but enjoying what I’ve heard so far.

Johnathan needs to remember he comes from a place of immense privilege, never having to live with his physical safety chronically threatened. He’s very west-centered. He tends to overemphasize and overvalue the interests of Israel’s western allies and underemphasizes and undervalues Israel’s Middle Eastern allies. He doesn’t recognize these interests are often diametrically opposed.

There’s a difference between being realistic and being a negative nancy. I’m pretty sure Jonathan secretly hates Israel. Back off man. Jews are listening to this and if nothing else, need a bit more of a positive tone. You never look at the silver lining and only the negative. This war was thrust upon us and we are doing the best we can under the circumstances. I’m starting to think living in London has fully brainwashed him into being anti-Israel. Am Israel Chai

Could yonit back off the bad hasbara? It’s running the show and bordering on ridiculousness now. Thanks to J for holding down some semblance of actual reality.

They are incredible & professional journalists, they have amazing interviews & are not afraid to ask tough questions.

I love this podcast. It is invaluable in understanding what is happening in Israel beyond what you can read in the media. Kudos to Jonathan and Yonit.

We are in a place in politics and war I could not have imagined. These discussions help me understand why. And how to help Israel. And our world. I wake up each day awaiting word of the return of hostages. And in the follow up an end to terrorism. Coexistence in peace.

The hosts have great perspective on current events in Israel and the UK and how they connect to the Jewish diaspora. They also cover stories I haven’t heard elsewhere or dig into global headlines with more nuance than sensationalism. Big recommend!

This is one of the best podcasts from Israel. The fact that one of the speakers is from Israel and the other is a correspondent from The Guardian in England makes it especially fascinating. Often they agree, sometimes they don’t and it gives you a sense of Israel/diaspora relations. I look forward to every new episode. Period

Didn’t ever think about the issues and perspectives raised by the two hosts and their guests before, not ever. Raised with parents and family who had no connection to Israel except yearly JUF donations. And then Oct 7 happened and I realized that my heart was in Israel and with my people wherever they are. I cannot get enough information, I listen to everything and read everything. So many headlines and sensationalism, I trust what I hear when I’m listening to Unholy. It is such a pleasure and calms me down hearing measured, sincere and emotive perspectives on Israeli and Jewish issues arising from this war. This podcast, with Jonathan’s beautiful soothing British voice and Yonit’s rapid fire questioning and banter, educates and entertains me and helps me not be depressed about all the hate coming our way. Thank you and your guests, you all get the Mensch award!

Ugh, Yonit Levy has become insufferable. Since October 7th, she’s made the conscious decision to use this platform as her own personal hasbara stage. Thank God for Jonathan who provides an authentic, measured and honest counterbalance to her nonsense. As a journalist, Freedland reminds the listener of his responsibility to provide an accurate picture of what is actually happening in Gaza and around the world and as a person, he proves you can still have a deep and abiding love for Israel while acknowledging the country’s flaws and mistakes. Yonit should take notes.

I love this podcast. I highly recommend it to Jewish people in the diaspora. I would love to see you all interview the folks with Sharaka! I think it could be an incredible conversation.

Thank you Yonit and Jonathan for the weekly informative and high quality conversation about Israel. Your insights mean more now than ever as we all struggle to make sense of a changed world.

I discovered the podcast after Oct 7 at recommendation of family in Israel, and now I look forward to listening every Friday. Smart hosts, good representation of both Israel and diaspora reality, fun rapport between the hosts. Really good place to learn about what’s happening. Thank you both!

This is one of my must-listen podcasts during this time. It’s so timely clear & relevant and I appreciate the HOLY work Yonit & Jonathan are doing.

Informative, insightful. Interviews with individuals who add a lot of important information to the discussion. Well done and balanced.

If you care about Israel, put this on your “must listen to” list. The light, intelligent banter of pre-October 7 has been replaced with thoughtful, compassionate, and thought-provoking conversations with guests foreign to most of us living in the Diaspora. I appreciate this weekly insight into Israel today. Bringing back the “chutzpah and mensch of the week” awards is a small but welcome return to the show routine.

I am so grateful for this window - the diaspora/land of Israel dynamic duo is a brilliant set up and highly illuminating. The elegance and range of the two is intoxicating - it's like having two of the most worldly yet rigorously thoughtful and warm people you could imagine holding forth in your living room. Heimish meets brain-ish.

Must listen

This has always been an incredibly important and brilliantly executed project, but these days it’s critical. Continuously grateful for the clear headed, nuanced, thorough, personal, and seasoned reporting from the hosts. Your relationship is a gift to us all 💞

This is consistently the best podcast for anyone interested in what’s happening in Israel and in the world in regard to Jews. Hosted by really articulate and perceptive journalists.

Thank you both for providing the voices and space we all need in this dark days. I can’t believe you guys have been doing this for 3 years. While I would follow Yonit Levy anywhere, it’s nice to have a British perspective too. Well done.

The only thing I don’t like about this podcast is that I have to wait a full week for each new episode.

Amazing talent from both hosts.

Really enjoy the nuances discussions

She is an absolute queen

Excellent podcast. Prof. Galloway is a wonderful speaker with a valuable perspective to share. I would have him on again in the near future.

I wish that the hosts, especially Yonit, would grapple with difficult questions, like the suffering in Gaza and the fact that if Israel does not meaningfully engage in a discussion about a future Palestinian state, Israel won’t have a future as a secure and vibrant Jewish one. Yonit is stuck in October (which I understand so many Israelis are, the trauma is so profound), so the the show is essentially guests preaching to the uncritical-at-all-of-Israel’s-current-path-choir, while Yonit predictably chastizes Jonathan for trying to raise alternative viewpoints. Israel must reckon with these viewpoints if it is to survive as anything other than a pariah. Please, Yonit, start reckoning.