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Last month, Israel made a surprising diplomatic move, voting alongside the United States and Russia against a United Nations resolution reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It was the first time Israel had taken such a stance since the war began—raising questions about the pressure Jerusalem faces as President Trump reshapes U.S. foreign policy.
Since taking office in January, Trump has distanced himself from Biden’s strong backing of Ukraine, labeling President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and urging him to agree to a ceasefire with Moscow. Tensions boiled over in a high-stakes White House meeting where Zelensky clashed publicly with both Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
For former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, the moment was strikingly familiar. He recalls a pivotal 2011 exchange in the Oval Office when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly challenged President Obama’s Middle East policy. Oren sees important parallels between Netanyahu’s bold approach and the situation Zelensky now faces.
In this episode, we explore how smaller nations like Israel and Ukraine navigate relationships with global superpowers, what diplomatic leverage they hold, and what lessons can be drawn from history.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Mentioned in the episode: Michael Oren: What Zelensky Can Learn from Netanyahu -
The U.S. has been in direct talks with Hamas, aiming to negotiate the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Leading the discussions is Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, who recently met with Hamas officials in Doha. He described the talks as “very productive,” indicating they extend beyond hostage negotiations to broader discussions about a long-term ceasefire.
Boehler has suggested that Hamas may be willing to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza—but not without significant concessions. For its part, Israel is increasing pressure, cutting off electricity and halting aid deliveries to Gaza.
So, is a deal within reach? Or are these negotiations heading nowhere?
Host Aviva Klompas discusses the latest developments with former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Dr. Michael Oren.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this episode of Boundless Insights, Dr. Rachel Fish sits down with former Palestinian negotiator Ghaith al-Omari to examine the shifting landscape of Palestinian leadership and the viability of a two-state solution.
They discuss the historical evolution of Palestinian nationalism, the deep legitimacy crisis facing the Palestinian Authority, and the role of Arab nations in rebuilding Gaza and advancing a diplomatic resolution.
Ghaith also weighs in on the impact of U.S. leadership in driving Palestinian political reform, the generational shifts shaping Israeli and Palestinian perspectives, and how identity factors into the peace process. Throughout the conversation, he underscores the urgent need for pragmatic, courageous leadership to counter extremism and build a path toward lasting stability.
Guest Bio:
Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute’s Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship. Previously, he served as executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine and was an advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during the 1999–2001 permanent-status talks. He has held various other positions within the Palestinian Authority. -
While much of the world’s attention remains fixed on Gaza, the security situation in Judea and Samaria / the West Bank is escalating. In January, the IDF launched Operation Iron Wall, a major campaign aimed at dismantling terror networks. The operation began in Jenin—a long-standing hub for terrorist activity – and has since expanded into nearby towns.
To understand what’s happening on the ground, Aviva Klompas speaks with retired Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, one of the most respected voices on Middle East security.
Subscribe and stay connected: Don’t miss future episodes of Boundless Insights. Follow us for more expert analysis and deep dives into the issues shaping Israel and the world.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Guest Bio:
Jonathan Conricus is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on the Middle East. He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 24 years as a combat commander in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. He also served as a military diplomat, foreign relations expert, and international spokesperson. He recently retired as lieutenant colonel. Jonathan was the first Israeli officer to be seconded to the United Nations (UN), during which he provided military and strategic analysis for UN peacekeeping forces. He has directed social media and public diplomacy efforts and has extensive on- and off-camera experience from his years as a spokesperson. -
For months, world leaders have been asking: What comes next for Gaza once the war ends?
President Trump stirred controversy by suggesting an unconventional approach—relocating Palestinians from Gaza to other countries while the Strip undergoes reconstruction. The backlash was swift.
Now, Arab states are rallying around a counterproposal. Leading the charge is Egypt, which is promoting a plan to rebuild Gaza without relocating its residents and to establish a new governing authority.
Can this new plan succeed where so many others have failed? Host Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Michael Oren—former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.—to unpack the latest developments.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/PR9A6pZGGmWr97nIiGuG
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This week, Israel laid to rest four murdered hostages—Oded Lifshitz, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas—all from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their names are now etched into the heart of a grieving nation.
Oded Lifshitz was an 83-year-old peace activist, a man who dedicated his life to coexistence. On October 7, he was shot in the hand, dragged into Gaza, and murdered in captivity. At his funeral, his wife spoke of the deep betrayal she felt—how after years of championing peace with Palestinians, they were attacked by the very people they had tried to help.
The Bibas family has become the face of national heartbreak. The world watched the footage of Shiri Bibas clutching her young sons, Ariel and Kfir, as they were taken hostage. Her face—frozen in terror is an image burned into collective memory.
When Yarden Bibas was released after 16 months in captivity, many held onto a desperate hope that his family would also emerge alive. Instead, this week, he was forced to bury them. His grief and loss are incomprehensible.
On today’s episode, Aviva Klompas and Dr. Michael Oren sift through the heartache and discuss the deeper national reckoning that this tragedy has set in motion.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
Since October 7, it has felt like we’ve been trapped in an unending nightmare. That horror deepened when Hamas staged a grotesque spectacle in Gaza, parading the coffins of hostages through the streets.
The scene was chilling: a stage draped with propaganda banners, celebratory music blaring, and crowds—including Palestinian children—cheering as the coffins were handed over to the Red Cross. Even the UN, an organization rarely sympathetic to Israel, condemned the display as "cruel and degrading."
To unpack the significance of these events, Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States and historian. Together, they confront the reality of evil, explore how Israel might respond, and discuss the search for moral clarity in a world increasingly muddled by false equivalencies and moral relativism.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
Since the horrific attacks of October 7, the absence of moral courage has been glaring. In a time when speaking the truth comes with real consequences—risking careers, reputations, and even personal safety—many have chosen silence over principle. But what does it truly mean to stand up for what’s right? Why do some rise to the occasion while others retreat into the background? And how can we cultivate the strength to act, even when the cost is high?
In this episode, Aviva Klompas is joined by Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist known for his intellectual clarity and willingness to challenge prevailing narratives, no matter how uncomfortable. Together, they examine today’s crisis of moral courage—why it’s so scarce, what forces discourage people from speaking out, and what it will take to foster a culture where standing up for truth and justice isn’t the exception, but the expectation.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Guest Bio
Bret Stephens is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times and editor-in-chief of Sapir (sapirjournal.org), a new quarterly dedicated to exploring issues of Jewish concern. He has previously worked as foreign-affairs columnist and deputy editorial-page editor for The Wall Street Journal and as editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post. Among his many prizes and distinctions are the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary, the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and three honorary doctorates. His 2014 book, "America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder" correctly predicted many of the events of our day. In 2022 he was permanently banned by the government of Russia from visiting that country.
Bret was raised in Mexico City and educated at the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics He and his wife, Corinna, have three children and live outside of New York City. -
In this special episode of Boundless Insights, guest host Dr. Rachel Fish speaks with award-winning author and scholar Dr. Dara Horn about the shortcomings of Holocaust education. Too often, it emphasizes universal moral lessons while overlooking Jews themselves and disregarding Jewish life before and after the Holocaust. They explore the concept of the “null curriculum”—the lessons schools leave out—and reveal how a narrow focus on the Holocaust can mislead students into seeing Jews solely as historical or symbolic victims rather than as a thriving, evolving people. Dara also unpacks the “big lie,” the false accusation that portrays Jews as a collective threat to society, and underscores the urgent need to teach a broader, richer view of Jewish history and culture to challenge these dangerous misconceptions.
Guest Bio
Dara Horn is an award-winning author, including People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present and the novels Eternal Life and The World to Come. Named one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists, she has won three National Jewish Book Awards, and her work has been recognized as a New York Times Notable Books and translated into 13 languages. Her essays have appeared in leading outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal. A Harvard-trained scholar of Yiddish and Hebrew, she has taught at institutions like Sarah Lawrence and Harvard, and lectures internationally. Dara is also the founder of Mosaic Persuasion, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the American public about Jewish civilization.
More from Dara Horn
Dara Horn's website: darahorn.com
One Little Goat by Dara Horn
Why the Most Educated People in America Fall for Anti-Semitic Lies in The Atlantic by Dara Horn
Is Holocaust Education Making Anti-Semitism Worse in The Atlantic by Dara Horn
People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present by Dara Horn -
We’re diving into one of the most contentious and emotional debates in Israeli society: Haredim and military service.
For decades, ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students have been exempt from Israel’s mandatory draft to focus on Torah study. But with Israel’s security stretched thin after October 7, the debate over Haredi participation in the military has taken on new urgency.
Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Eli Paley, a leading voice in the Haredi world, to explore this issue from a deeply informed perspective. We discuss how the Haredi community views military service and why full-time Torah study is central to their identity; the heated debate over fairness, national security, and shared responsibility in Israeli society; and what solutions could balance Israel’s security needs with respect for Haredi values.
This is an eye-opening and essential conversation about one of the defining issues shaping Israeli society today.
Guest Bio:
Eli Paley is a Haredi-Israeli philanthropist, businessman, and social entrepreneur. In his philanthropic role, Paley chairs The Paley Family Foundation. He is also the owner and publisher of "Mishpacha," the largest media group in the Haredi world. As a social entrepreneur, Paley is the chairman of the Paley family foundation and President and founder of the Institute for Strategy and Haredi Policy
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
Donald Trump has upended global politics with a radical new proposal. He’s floated the idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza and relocating the Palestinian population, calling it an opportunity to build a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
His proposal marks a dramatic shift from decades of U.S. foreign policy and the longstanding belief that a Palestinian state is essential for regional peace. But is Trump serious? Is this even remotely feasible?
To break it all down, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Oren, historian, diplomat, and former Israeli ambassador to the United States. We discuss whether Trump’s idea is a trial balloon or a serious policy shift and America’s evolving role in the region.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
President Donald Trump stunned the world when he announced that the United States should take over Gaza, clear the rubble, rebuild it into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” and relocate its population to other countries. Is this a serious policy proposal, a negotiation tactic, or something else entirely? And what does it mean for Israel, the hostages, and the broader Middle East?
I’m joined by Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to break down Trump’s stunning announcement and its far-reaching implications. Is Trump’s plan bold or reckless? Could it change the course of the Middle East? Dr. Schanzer brings his expert analysis.
Guest Bio
Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is the executive director at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he oversees the work of the organization’s experts and scholars.
Jonathan previously worked as a terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he followed and froze the funding of Hamas and al-Qaeda. Jonathan has held previous think tank research positions at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Middle East Forum. He has written hundreds of articles on the Middle East and U.S. national security.
His most recent book is Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War (FDD Press 2021). His other books are State of Failure: Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Unmaking of the Palestinian State (Palgrave Macmillan 2013), Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine (Palgrave Macmillan 2008), and Al-Qaeda’s Armies: Middle East Affiliate Groups and the Next Generation of Terror (Washington Institute for Near East Policy 2004).
Jonathan testifies often before Congress and appears on television channels such as CNN, Fox News, BBC, and MSNBC. -
It has been almost 500 days since Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 hostages into Gaza. In recent weeks, a hostage deal has held, bringing some hostages home—but with it comes an emotional rollercoaster of relief, fear, and the devastating reality that some will never return.
This episode takes a hard look at where things stand. The release of hostages has been met with the simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners, including convicted murderers, raising urgent questions about what this signals for the future. From Hamas’s perspective, hostage-taking has proven to be an effective strategy, forcing Israel to confront difficult decisions moving forward.
To help make sense of the good, the bad, and the painful, I’m joined by historian, diplomat, and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Michael Oren.
If you found this episode insightful, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is navigating an extraordinary set of challenges, from political and public backlash after October 7 to ongoing legal battles and personal health concerns. Today, we delve into the immense pressures facing Israel’s longest-serving leader, the criticisms and demands from every direction, and how history will remember him.
Joining us is Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, historian, and prominent commentator on Israeli affairs. Together, we explore Netanyahu’s leadership, the moral and strategic dilemmas he faces, and how history might remember him.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Mentioned in the Show:
Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Michael B. Oren
Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide by Michael B. Oren -
For decades, the two-state solution has been the cornerstone of international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This episode delves into its history, from its origins to repeated failed negotiations, and examines whether it remains a viable path forward.
In the aftermath of October 7 — a day that fundamentally changed how Israelis view the conflict — the challenges to this vision feel more insurmountable than ever. Can a sovereign Palestinian state be established without compromising Israel’s security? Or has the two-state solution become little more than an empty slogan?
Host Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Michael Oren — historian and former Israeli ambassador to the United States — to explore whether the two-state solution is still realistic or an outdated delusion in a world where peace feels increasingly elusive.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Referenced in this episode:
Israelis, Palestinians and the ‘Two-State Situation’ by Michael Oren, published Feb. 24, 2015 -
Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office, and his second term has already focused on U.S.-Israel relations and Middle East diplomacy. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to unpack the key issues and challenges ahead.
From the plight of hostages and the prospects for expanding the Abraham Accords to questions about the future of Gaza, Iran, and the fight against antisemitism, this conversation dives deep into the policies shaping the weeks and months ahead. Tune in for expert analysis and a candid discussion about what Trump’s second term means for Israel, the Jewish community, and the broader Middle East.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/ -
In this episode, host Aviva Klompas delves into the agonizing uncertainty surrounding Israel’s long-awaited hostage deal with Hamas. Phase one of the agreement will see the release of 33 hostages—women, children, the elderly, and the infirm—over a 42-day period. However, with more than 60 individuals excluded from this initial phase, the anguish of waiting and the fear of what lies ahead remain deeply troubling.
Aviva is joined by Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to examine the deal’s implications, the profound moral and strategic dilemmas it raises, and the broader context of Israel’s ongoing struggle against a terror organization.
Recorded on Friday, January 17, as Israel’s cabinet convenes to vote on the agreement, Aviva and Michael discuss the complexities and emotions behind the headlines.
If you found this episode insightful, subscribe to Boundless Insights and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback fuels our mission to deliver thoughtful discussions on the issues that matter most. -
Qatar and the United States have announced a three-phase ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The first phase would see Hamas release 33 of the 98 hostages remaining in Gaza. In exchange, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life sentences.
The agreement has sparked intense debate in Israel, with critics cautioning that it could embolden Hamas and leave hostages behind.
Joining host Aviva Klompas to break down the details and implications of this deal is retired Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesperson and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Subscribe and stay connected: Don’t miss future episodes of Boundless Insights. Follow us for more expert analysis and deep dives into the issues shaping Israel and the world.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Guest Bio:
Jonathan Conricus is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on the Middle East. He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 24 years as a combat commander in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. He also served as a military diplomat, foreign relations expert, and international spokesperson. He recently retired as lieutenant colonel. Jonathan was the first Israeli officer to be seconded to the United Nations (UN), during which he provided military and strategic analysis for UN peacekeeping forces. He has directed social media and public diplomacy efforts and has extensive on- and off-camera experience from his years as a spokesperson. -
Before October 7, judicial reform dominated Israel’s domestic agenda, sparking massive protests and fierce debates. Supporters of the plan argued reform was necessary to curb an unelected judiciary, while critics warned it posed an existential threat to Israeli democracy.
Then came October 7. In the aftermath of the attack, judicial reform was frozen as the country united to confront war. Now, Justice Minister Yariv Levin has signaled plans to resume the reforms, even as Israel remains at war and divisions are as raw as ever. Why now and what’s at stake?
To help us unpack this, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Oren—historian, diplomat, and one of the most thoughtful voices on Israel’s past, present, and future.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Mentioned in the episode: 2048: The Rejuvenated State by Dr. Michael Oren -
In this episode of Boundless Insights, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), about the alarming rise in antisemitism across the United States and Europe—and what’s being done to fight back.
Ted spent over a decade in Congress where he was co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. Now, as the head of the AJC, he’s at the forefront of addressing the surge in Jew-hatred on a global scale.
Aviva & Ted discuss:
- Can legislation effectively curb antisemitism?
- Why did the Antisemitism Awareness Act fail to advance?
- What can the new Congress and the Trump administration do to prioritize Jewish safety?
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.
Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/
Guest Bio:
American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch is a lifelong Jewish and pro-Israel activist. He assumed the role of CEO in October 2022, following more than 12 years of service in the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, Ted served as chair of the House Ethics Committee, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on which he served as chair of the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee. Ted was a founding co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism and also served as co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance, as well as a member of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, the Latino-Jewish Congressional Caucus, and AJC’s Transatlantic Friends of Israel inter-parliamentary group. Ted is a proud alum of Camp Ramah and the University of Michigan and Michigan Law School, where he chaired the Hillel Governing Board. Under Ted’s leadership, AJC launched its Center for Education Advocacy and Center for a New Middle East. AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. - Visa fler
