Apologies for my delay the last 48 hours… it has been quite a whirlwind! Thus far we have toured Tel Aviv on the coast, and the settlement of Ariel in the interior. I have also taken the liberty of visiting the port city of Haifa for dinner last night.
A few reflections:
1. Israel is still a vibrant, dynamic, beautiful place, regardless of whatever is going on politically.
2. Tel Aviv is a wonderful mess — crowded and chaotic, but also brilliant and innovative. The new subway is incredible. The beach is, well, awesome.
3. The fault lines over Netanyahu’s judicial reform are not entirely ideological or cultural. Some on the right oppose him just because of the division it has provoked within Israeli society (familiar, perhaps, to the emotions evoked by Trump in the USA).
4. The Palestinians want jobs and the chance to earn a good living more than they want a state. If anything, attempts at peace — or struggle — have complicated their lives. Judea and Samaria are a maze of roads and boundaries and there seems no easy resolution — nor, perhaps, any urgent one.
5. Palestinians do not generally understand why Jews want to come to Israel and support Israel. To the extent that face-to-face interaction is possible, it can help break that barrier of understanding.
6. It’s good to remember that in addition to the religious connected Jews have to the land, a big reason Israel exists is because of the cultural revival that Tel Aviv represents. That Israel counts, too; it is the Israel that many on the left want to preserve, and not because of partisan politics.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)
This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
- John Carney - Breitbart News financial editor, on the upcoming jobs report
- Jerome Hudson - Breitbart News entertainment editor, on the Kimmel fallout
- Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on the UN and Gaza talks
- Matisyahu - award-winning reggae artist, on his new album, "Ancient Child"
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
