Explore every episode of the podcast The State of Affairs

In this powerful episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks candidly with Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Iddo Moed, about the unprecedented deterioration of relations between two longstanding democratic allies.

How bad is the relationship? Is meaningful dialogue still taking place between Ottawa and Jerusalem? Has domestic politics overtaken Canadian foreign policy? And can the damage be repaired?

The interview examines Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state, its suspension of defence export permits to Israel and its proposed restrictions on goods from Israeli communities in the West Bank. Could these measures violate the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement? Do they advance peace—or reward Palestinian leaders without requiring reform, accountability or compromise?

Ambassador Moed also addresses rising antisemitism, attacks against Jewish institutions and why growing numbers of Canadian Jews are contemplating a “Plan B” outside the country.

This is a candid and urgent conversation about diplomacy, national security, Iran, Hamas and what Canada and Israel must do to rebuild trust.

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“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

Drawing upon Viktor Frankl’s defining insight, Avi Abraham Benlolo explores how the Jewish people can confront hatred without allowing it to define who we are.

From Abraham and Sarah to Moses, Ruth and the generations that rebuilt after the Holocaust, the Jewish story is one of courage, responsibility, compassion and hope. Reflecting on his own visit to the killing fields of the Nova music festival, Avi asks: How do we grieve without surrendering? How do we remember while continuing to dream? How do we defend ourselves without losing our humanity?

Choosing Life affirms that our pain may remain, but it need not occupy the entire room. We are more than the hatred directed against us—and even after tragedy, we continue to build, love and bring light into the world.

Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, The State of Affairs speaks with Maureen Basnicki, whose husband, Ken, was murdered on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

Maureen recounts the terror of that day, the devastating impact on her family and her continuing quest for justice. How did she transform unimaginable grief into the Canadian National Day of Service? Why are victims of terrorism still too often abandoned by their governments?

The conversation also confronts CBC’s insulting directive instructing journalists not to call 9/11 a terrorist attack—and its reversal following widespread outrage. Was the reversal enough? Why did Canada’s public broadcaster need a special exception to state an indisputable truth?

Twenty-five years later, the most difficult questions remain: Did we win the war on terror—or has terrorism simply evolved and found new ways to threaten our societies? Was justice ever delivered for Ken and the nearly 3,000 people murdered on 9/11? Has Canada meaningfully supported victims of terrorism, or have families been left to confront grief, trauma, legal battles and financial burdens largely on their own? And what must governments do now to ensure that remembrance is accompanied by accountability, protection and action?.

This is a powerful conversation about remembrance, justice, moral clarity and the obligation to call terrorism by its name.

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Why is Israel the only country permanently singled out by the United Nations Human Rights Council? Can democracies defend human rights when authoritarian regimes sit in judgment of them? And what happens when international law is weaponized, special rapporteurs abandon neutrality and the atrocities of October 7 are subjected to moral inversion?

In this compelling episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with Ambassador Daniel Meron, Israel’s representative to the United Nations and international institutions in Geneva, about the diplomatic battle taking place inside the UN system.

Why did Israel disengage from the Human Rights Council? Can its structural bias ever be reformed? Why do friendly nations express private sympathy for Israel but fail to support it publicly? Has anti-Israel politicization infected organizations and other international bodies? Should Israel continue fighting for fairness within these institutions—or begin building alternative alliances?

Ambassador Meron also discusses Israel’s humanitarian, medical and technological contributions, the challenges confronting Israeli diplomacy and where he still finds reason for optimism.

Produced by the Abraham Global Peace Initiative. Learn more and support our work at agpiworld.com.

In this episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger about the military intelligence, defence technology, battlefield experience and economic innovation Israel provides the United States.

Their discussion examines the F-35 program as a powerful example of an alliance that works in both directions. How much is that contribution worth to the United States and the wider F-35 program?

Why has the U.S. State Department repeatedly misread the Middle East? Is it possible that Iran already has the bomb? Can diplomacy ever contain Iran’s revolutionary regime—or does negotiation merely give Tehran additional time, money and legitimacy?

This is a compelling examination of the assumptions shaping American policy—and whether following conventional wisdom could place Israel’s future at risk.

To learn more about AGPI and support our important work, visit www.agpiworld.com.

A federally commissioned study of approximately 900 Jewish postsecondary students found that 95.7 per cent had experienced or witnessed antisemitism. Seventy per cent said their institution does not take antisemitism seriously, 68 per cent described campus as unsafe for Jewish students, and 22 per cent reported experiencing or witnessing physical violence directed at Jews.

In this episode, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with the President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies and Metropolis Institute, Jack Jedwab about whether antisemitism has become systemic, why Jewish students are concealing their identities, how professors and student organizations contribute to the climate, and why university complaint systems have lost credibility.

They also examine new polling showing a sharp decline in Canadian attitudes toward Judaism and ask whether campuses are reflecting a broader social crisis—or helping create it.

The State of Affairs is created by The Abraham Global Peace Initiative, a prominent Canadian think-tank working to counter antisemitism, defend Israel and promote democracy.

Can an Arab Muslim defend Zionism while warning the West about the dangers of political Islamism? In this episode of The State of Affairs, Saudi-born peace advocate Loay Alshareef joins Avi Abraham Benlolo for a fearless discussion about Israel, antisemitism and the battle between peace and extremism.

How did learning Hebrew and studying Jewish history transform Loay’s understanding of Zionism? Why does anti-Zionism so often descend into open antisemitism? What does the growing influence of radical ideology in Europe and North America mean for Western democracy?   

From the Jewish people’s ancient connection to Jerusalem to the threats posed by Iran and the Houthis, Loay confronts the forces working to perpetuate conflict. Can the Abraham Accords withstand today’s regional turmoil? Is Saudi-Israel normalization still possible? And why does Loay remain convinced that Arab-Israeli peace will ultimately prevail?

Could the next October 7-style attack come from Judea and Samaria? In this episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo speaks with Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch about his warning that the Palestinian Authority has built a military-capable force of approximately 70,000 armed personnel.

More than 70,000 are reportedly stationed in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) —compared with only 12,000 permitted under the Oslo Accords. How did this force grow so dramatically? Why are its personnel allegedly being trained in sniping, artillery, armoured warfare, shoulder-fired missiles and parachuting? With Qalqilya only 14 kilometres from the Mediterranean, which Israeli cities would be threatened if these weapons were turned against Israel?

Did Western funding and Israeli weapons transfers help create this danger? Does PA security coordination protect Israelis—or primarily preparing for war against them? Did the PA’s salaries and employment benefits for released terrorists help senior Hamas leaders prepare for October 7?

Most importantly, what must Israel do now to prevent another October 7th catastrophe?

To learn more about AGPI and support our important work, visit www.agpiworld.com.

“JEWS AREN’T ALLOWED HERE”

A Montreal woman told a Jewish father at La Fontaine Park that dogs were allowed despite a nearby ban, launched an expletive-filled rant and declared in French: “Jews aren’t allowed here.”

How did Montreal reach this point? Why have Jewish schools been struck by gunfire, synagogues attacked with incendiary devices and visibly Jewish residents assaulted and intimidated? Are political leaders confronting this crisis—or merely condemning each new incident before moving on? Has unchecked anti-Zionist incitement normalized hatred and helped turn hostile rhetoric into violence? Do police and prosecutors possess the resources, authority and political support needed to protect Montreal’s Jewish community? And after generations of Jewish life and achievement, can Montreal still offer Jewish families a safe and hopeful future?

In this episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo asks journalist, lawyer, civic leader and the President of the Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal, Beryl Wajsman what is happening to Montreal—and why he remains determined to stay, fight back and reclaim the city.

The State of Affairs podcast is produced by The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI). To support our work, please visit us at www.agpiworld.com

Do Israelis want a third round of war against Iran? In this episode of The State of Affairs, former Canadian Ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici, joins AGPI's Chairman and CEO, Avi Abraham Benlolo for a candid assessment of Israel at a crossroads. How are Israelis coping after war, terrorism, trauma and political division? What do the current demonstrations by the Haredi community mean for Israel’s future, military service and the principle of shared national responsibility? Israel’s upcoming election is the most consequential in its history: what exactly will voters be deciding—and is there a leader capable of uniting the country? How do Israelis view the alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada and around the world? Finally, what message of hope, optimism and resilience does Ambassador Bercovici leave with us? Find out this and more on the latest episode of The State of Affairs.

The Abraham Global Peace Initiative is a prominent Canadian think-tank that counters Antisemitism, defends Israel, advances democracy and promotes The Abraham Accords.

The future of Toronto is consequential for the Jewish community. Many are wondering if they should stay. Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford joins Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo on The State of Affairs for a conversation about leadership, courage and Toronto’s future. Addressing antisemitism, Bradford says that standing up for people targeted because of their faith may sometimes be difficult, but it is consequential and important. His message is unequivocal: “You can’t pick and choose when your morals apply—and that’s what it comes down to: moral clarity and values, strength, courage and conviction.” Bradford explains why defending one community protects every community and why public officials must apply their principles consistently. The discussion also turns to the everyday concerns shaping life across Toronto: public safety, the TTC, housing affordability, gridlock, rising taxes, struggling small businesses and declining city services. How can Toronto restore confidence, improve accountability and become a city that works better for everyone? Hear Bradford’s vision for building a safer, stronger, prosperous and inclusive Toronto.

From wearing a Keffiyah as a teen in England to working Gaza to changing her mind about Israel, Development economist and Aid Inferno author Dr. Emily Brearley has witnessed Gaza’s aid system from the inside—and what she saw challenges the world’s assumptions. In this explosive episode of The State of Affairs, Dr. Brearley joins Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo to expose how Hamas exerts influence over humanitarian operations, examine UNRWA’s controversial role, and confront the international community’s failures before and after October 7. Can aid reach civilians without empowering terrorists? Did institutions ignore the warning signs? And can Gaza ever be rebuilt for peace? This is a firsthand account of corruption, complicity and the battle for Gaza’s future, as captured in Dr. Brearley's book, "Aid Inferno".

Read background article about the effort to defund UNRWA: https://agpiworld.com/eye-on-un

Read more content about the fight to defend and protect freedom and democracy at www.agpiworld.com

Malcolm Hoenlein has stood in the middle of global Jewish diplomacy for more than five decades. As Vice Chair and CEO Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, he has advised presidents, prime ministers, and world leaders through some of the most consequential moments in modern history. In this exclusive episode of The State of Affairs, we examine his views about the rise of Zohran Mamdani, Rahm Emanuel's controversial criticism of Israel, and what we see is a growing crisis within the Democratic Party. We discuss if today's climate increasingly resembles the warning signs of 1933 and discuss the threats posed by Iran and Turkey. We ask Hoenlein whether the Abraham Accords—and the hope for lasting Middle East peace—can survive. Don't miss this compelling conversation with one of the Jewish world's foremost strategic thinkers and influential voices.

Has the democratic world lost its moral clarity? In this compelling episode of The State of Affairs, Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo examines the growing double standard applied to Israel and the broader implications for democracy and human rights. Responding to Rahm Emanuel's controversial remarks in Israel, Avi argues that it is not Israel that has become isolated—but a world increasingly unwilling to distinguish terrorism from self-defence.

He also reveals AGPI's latest advocacy efforts, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' response following Gail Asper's interview, a high-level discussion with the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Inspector General regarding UNRWA, AGPI's call for the United Nations to waive Philippe Lazzarini's immunity, the disturbing normalization of antisemitism highlighted by the harassment of Shopify President Harley Finkelstein, growing concerns over Iranian-linked threats to Canada's Jewish community, and AGPI's demand that Türkiye retract inflammatory anti-Israel rhetoric.

This is a thought-provoking commentary on truth, accountability, leadership, and why moral courage has never mattered more.

What happens when one of the principal architects of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights says, "My trust has been completely shattered"?

In this compelling episode of The State of Affairs, Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo sits down with Gail Asper—Officer of the Order of Canada, Member of the Order of Manitoba, lawyer, philanthropist, and one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Drawing on decades of leadership and personal investment in the museum, Gail reflects on why she believes the institution has departed from its founding vision. The conversation explores the controversy surrounding the museum's "Nakba" exhibit, the importance of historical context, the story of Jewish refugees from Arab countries, concerns over the exhibit's placement beside the Holocaust galleries, the museum's governance and consultation process, and the broader challenge of promoting dialogue rather than division during a period of rising antisemitism in Canada.

This is an insightful and deeply personal conversation about history, human rights, institutional responsibility, and whether one of Canada's most important cultural institutions can be restored to the principles upon which it was founded.

🎙️ Listen now.

For more information about the Abraham Global Peace Initiative, visit www.agpiworld.com.

In this compelling episode of The State of Affairs, Avi Abraham Benlolo sits down with retired Senator Jerry Grafstein for a frank conversation about the future of Canada, the health of its democracy, and the rise of antisemitism. Senator Grafstein declares, "I haven't left the Liberal Party—the Liberal Party has left me," arguing that a national political party cannot thrive if Jewish Canadians are not treated equally. In his view, this reflects a troubling deterioration of Canadian democracy and is "a shame." He also warns that Toronto now experiences more antisemitism per capita than anywhere else in the world, calls for the deportation of IRGC operatives and supporters, and urges Canada to outlaw the Muslim Brotherhood by adding it to the country's list of terrorist entities. Throughout the discussion, he contends that the Western world is suffering from an absence of leadership and argues that moral clarity and character are the indispensable foundations of democratic leadership.

Welcome to the inaugural commentary episode of The State of Affairs.

Has Canada become wiser—or meaner?

In this first commentary, Dr. Avi Abraham Benlolo examines one of the most consequential weeks in Canadian and international affairs.

As Canada marks its 159th birthday, are we still the nation defined by freedom, civility, and shared responsibility, or are rising crime, social division, and growing intolerance reshaping our national character?

This episode also explores Israel's resilience 1,000 days after the October 7 Hamas atrocities, the international debate over UNRWA, the rise of global antisemitism, and why defending democracy, human rights, and the rule of law has never been more important.

Thought-provoking, principled, and unapologetically engaging, The State of Affairs offers informed commentary that goes beyond the headlines to examine the issues shaping Canada, Israel, and the democratic world.

If you care about freedom, democracy, Israel, human rights, and the future of our society, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Avi Abraham Benlolo holds a substantive interview with Lord David Wolfson of Tredegar, engaging in a wide-ranging discussion on antisemitism and Jewish affairs in London and globally. The conversation addresses the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, legal frameworks to combat hate, and the responsibilities of government in protecting Jewish communities. Lord Wolfson emphasizes the importance of the rule of law, accountability, and moral clarity in confronting extremism. The discussion explores international trends, the impact of geopolitical tensions, and the need for coordinated responses across democracies to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of Jewish communities worldwide.

No one doubts that Golda Meir was well intentioned and bore the burden between politics, Israel’s dependence on America and the weight of sending Israel’s sons and daughters to the front lines.  She said, “A leader who doesn't hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader”. 

On the matter of blame, Meir quite rightly said: “There can be no doubt that the average man blames much more than he praises. His instinct is to blame. If he is satisfied he says nothing; if he is not, he most illogically kicks up a row”.
In the end, Golda Meir and her government won the Yom Kippur War. Some 2,800 Israelis were killed in action and over 8,000 were wounded. The lessons of that war are still felt in Israel today. The Yom Kippur War was a lesson in humility and in absolute vigilance.  The future of Israel depends on it.

For more than 2,000 years, the Jewish people could only dream of returning to their promised land.  They lived in foreign lands where they were oppressed, beaten and murdered.  They suffered pogroms, inquisitions and the crusades. They were forced to live in ghettos, made to pay more tax and relegated to second and third class status simply because they were Jewish.

Along came Theodore Herzl. A nobody. Then everything changed.