oct7attack

On this week’s episode, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman hosts Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber for another update amid a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas that has allowed for the release of over 90 hostages. They discuss the details of the deal that has enabled the release of hostages, what a resumption of the ground invasion of Gaza may look like, how the situation is viewed by the U.S., the PA, and other key players, the mood of the Israeli public, and more.

For all of our resources on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including a timeline of events from 1949 until now, explore our new Israel at War resource hub.

On this week’s episode, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman hosts Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber for another wartime update as the IDF progresses in its ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. They discuss the unfolding situation at Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital and other key locations to watch in the Strip, the status of efforts to secure the release of the hostages, the backstory of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, scenarios for the day after in Gaza, the state of play in the West Bank, and more.

For all of our resources on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including a timeline of events from 1949 until now, explore our new Israel at War resource hub.

On this week’s episode, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman hosts Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber for a wide-ranging conversation on the newly-entered phase in the Israel-Hamas war. They discuss Israel’s methodical launch of a ground offensive and surrounding storylines such as calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu’s failed Gaza strategy leading up to October 7, civilian casualties in Gaza, escalating settler violence in the West Bank, and the ongoing hostage crisis.

For all of our resources on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including a timeline of events from 1949 until now, explore our new Israel at War resource hub.

On this week’s episode, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman hosts Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber for a wide-ranging conversation on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. They discuss various issues impacting the multiple fronts of this conflict, including the Israeli hostages in Gaza, humanitarian aid for Gaza, Hamas’ history as a spoiler for efforts to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace, violence in the West Bank, and Israelis’ resilience as the country responds to its greatest tragedy since the Holocaust.

For all of our resources on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including a timeline of events from 1949 until now, explore our new Israel at War resource hub.

On this week’s episode, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman returns to the podcast to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war with Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber. They reflect on Israelis’ trauma almost two weeks after the devastating October 7 attacks, discuss the explosion at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza and the role of misinformation, unpack President Biden’s visit to Israel and the state of U.S.-Israel ties, and provide an overview of how the conflict has impacted other states in the region. 

• In this week’s Koplow Column, Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow outlined three key issues that Israeli leaders should grapple with as they prepare to destroy Hamas in Gaza.
• Writing in The Messenger, Michael outlined the implications of self-identified progressives abandoning American Jews in the wake of October 7th. 
• In The Christian Science Monitor, Israel Policy Pod host Neri Zilber unpacked the uncertainty surrounding how Israel plans on achieving its aims in Gaza.
• On this week’s Israel Policy Pause, Senior Policy and Communications Associate Alex Lederman recapped President Biden’s emergency visit to Israel this week.
• Watch this week’s Israel Policy Briefing with Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel on the latest development on the ground and Israel’s strategic challenges.
• For all of our resources on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including a timeline of events from 1949 until now, explore our new Israel at War webpage.

On October 7, 2023, Israelis faced the unthinkable when Hamas militants breached the Gaza border, carried out a violent rampage, took hundreds of Israelis hostage, and indiscriminately slaughtered at least 1,300 people—mostly civilians, many of them women, children, and elderly. These attacks resulted in the most Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust. On this week’s episode, IPF Atid Director Shanie Reichman joins Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber to reflect on the darkest day in Israeli history. They reflect on the atrocities committed by Hamas, Israelis’ collective trauma and shattered sense of security, and how the country could have been so ill-prepared for Saturday’s onslaught. Shanie and Neri touch on the history of Hamas and its ideology, analyze how this moment has reshaped Israeli politics and social dynamics, discuss the ongoing military operation and mobilization, and strive to find hope for peace during these days of despair. 

• In this week’s Koplow Column, Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow explained how this tragedy shattered Israelis’ sense of security, their leaders’ legacies, and American Jewish politics.
• In The Forward, Michael Koplow wrote on why Palestinian society and leadership must speak out to condemn the Hamas attack. 
• In The Hill, Michael Koplow detailed how the U.S. should support Israel as the war unfolds. 
• In The Christian Science Monitor, Israel Policy Pod host Neri Zilber unpacked how the shared trauma of this conflict is reshaping Israeli society and driving Israelis to put aside recent differences. 
• In the Financial Times, Neri Zilber discussed the implications of Israel’s new wartime unity government.
• In Defense Opinion, IPF Atid Coordinator of Chapter Engagement and Strategy Rebecca Mandelbaum and Senior Policy and Communications Associate Alex Lederman co-authored an article on the strategic challenges Israel must consider as it prepares to invade Gaza.

Our recent statements: 

• October 7: Israel Policy Forum Outraged by Hamas Attacks, Stands in Support of Israel. Read here. 
• October 10: Israel Policy Forum Commends President Biden for Support of Israel. Read here.
• October 11: Israel Policy Forum Welcomes Formation of Emergency War Government in Israel. Read here.
• October 12: In solidarity with Israel, CEO David Halperin offers words of strength, support, and hope for the future. Watch here.

In this emergency video briefing, we convened with our team of experts, Neri Zilber, Shira Efron, Nimrod Novik, and Michael Koplow to assess the unfolding situation in Israel.

Our Statement from October 7, 2023:

Israel Policy Forum is outraged by the despicable attacks by Hamas terrorists. We stand in firm support of Israel as it defends itself against this terrorist assault and provides security for its citizens, and we call on the international community to do the same.

There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the horrendous acts of terrorism the world witnessed today. Our thoughts are with the people of Israel at this trying time.

We pray for the recovery of those injured, the return of those taken hostage, and the comfort of the families who have been upended, as we mourn the lives that have been lost.

The Great Shattering | Koplow Column | October 9, 2023

The tragedy that began Saturday represents a shattering—of Israelis’ sense of security, of their leaders’ legacies, and of American Jewish politics. An immediate course correction is needed. Read this week's Koplow Column here: https://israelpolicyforum.org/2023/10/09/the-great-shattering/