Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.
Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".
For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy.
Contact us via: unholy@unholy-media.com
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As the hostages held by Gaza spend their second Chanukah as captives of Hamas, Israel’s attorney general delivers a political bombshell — opening an investigation into Sara Netanyahu following revelations of her role in the attacks by Israel’s first family against its enemies. Yonit and Jonathan discuss all that and mark the start of Chanukah by looking for some light in the gloom, seeking out some reasons to be hopeful for 2025.
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Time and time again - with Simon Sebag Montefiore
Episode 187
Saturday, December 21, 2024 • Duration 01:08:28
Increased speculation on a hostage/ceasefire deal, a disturbing account of alleged IDF misconduct in Gaza and the fallout of two shocking attacks on synagogues in Montreal and Melbourne. Plus: a conversation that ranges from Damascus to Limerick and all points in between with historian Simon Sebag Montefiore. Finally Yonit and Jonathan salute a French heroine - and decry the Syrian prisoner who never was.
As the war rages on despite the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the world watches with mounting concern for Northern Gaza - and waits for Israel's response to Iran's missile attack earlier this month. Plus: ahead of the Hebrew anniversary of October 7, 2023, we turn to a man uniquely able to put the events of the last year in their historical context - Sir Simon Schama.
For Unholy's 100th episode, a very special guest indeed: Yonit and Jonathan talk with one of the world's foremost thinkers and writers, Yuval Noah Harari. Usually preoccupied with the climate emergency and the rise of AI, right now Harari is focused on his own country - because, he says, "the house is on fire." A wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation about Israel, the protests against the judicial overhaul - and Harari's fear that democracy could give way to dictatorship. Plus a look back at two favourite Unholy moments from the last 100 episodes.
After 24 hours of stunning drama in Israel, a special update from Yonit and Jonathan. Join them as they unpack the chaotic timeline - Sunday night's spontaneous eruption of mass protests around the country following the sacking of the defence minister, the general strike by trade unions and bosses and Monday's eventual offer of a "timeout" on the judicial overhaul from Benjamin Netanyahu - and try to determine: was this a climbdown by the prime minister or a chance for him to regroup and weaken the opposition?
As protests continue and contrasting opinions over the judicial reform surface from within the coalition, it seemed this week the prime minister himself was almost on the brink of backing down. Yonit and Jonathan talk with lead journalist and "Uvda" host Ilana Dayan on how this ends - and, on her decision to speak up against the overhaul. Plus, a literary giant takes the mensch award and two veterans battle for the chutzpah prize.
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/unholy-two-jews-on-the-news/id1548441108
Tiger King - with Dave Rich
Episode 98
Friday, March 17, 2023 • Duration 56:15
As protests continue against the Netanyahu government’s overhaul of the judicial system, the prospect of compromise is receding. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the fallout of the ruling coalition’s rejection of President Herzog’s proposed alternative — amid warning signs that Israel's enemies are taking advantage of what they perceive as a moment of weakness.
Plus a conversation with Dave Rich, author of "Everyday Hate", on modern antisemitism - and how everyone from Kanye to a hit Broadway show draw on ideas about Jews that have endured for centuries.
***This episode was recorded before the terror attack in Tel Aviv***
The protests against the judicial reform in Israel escalate as demonstators rally nationally in a day of resistance, while the attempts to negotiate a compromise seem to falter. Plus, a homage to world-renowned actor Chaim Topol, iconic 'Tevye' of film and stage, who passed away this week.
And - what better way to celebrate Purim than with someone whose job is to make people laugh? Yonit and Jonathan are joined by MODI, the Israeli-American comedian headlining shows all around the world, to talk about various Jewish audiences, sexual identity, and the theory of "Messiah Energy". --
A morning of stun grenades and police horses at a protest, followed by an evening of a siege on a hair salon in central Tel Aviv? Just another regular day in Israel, apparently - which has also been facing an increasing security threat in the West Bank. Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin gives his take to Yonit and Jonathan on the tensions with the Palestinians, plus why he thinks that when it comes to politics, the military shouldn't be involved. And - as usual - a mini award ceremony with worthy victors in our chutzpah and mensch categories.
Double Feature - with Ruth Margalit & Yonatan Green
Episode 95
Friday, February 24, 2023 • Duration 01:06:05
Two guests, two perspectives - Yonit and Jonathan talk to two Israelis with sharply conflicting views of the current state of their country. Legal activist Yonatan Green is a staunch advocate of the judicial overhaul - while New Yorker writer Ruth Margalit has profiled the hard right nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, who she calls the Minister of Chaos. Plus - the government that keeps supplying us with undisputed chutzpahs.
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