Episode 23 of the Israel Defense and Diplomacy Forum (IDDF) – with Prof. Chuck Freilich, former Israeli Deputy National Security Advisor, and Danny Ayalon, former Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Washington.

In this episode, Chuck and Danny interview Avi Bell, a professor of law at Bar Ilan University and University of San Diego. Prof. Bell is also a senior fellow at the Kohelet Policy Forum, which is the think tank behind the current push for far-reaching legal change in Israel. He is an eloquent and well-informed proponent of the reforms and although he did not convince either Chuck or Danny, he certainly presented his case effectively.

Following the interview, Chuck and Danny continue their ongoing analysis of the unprecedented legal and political crisis Israel is undergoing. Chuck notes the statements by the heads of virtually all state institutions, including the former heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, atomic energy committee, chiefs of staff, almost all former Supreme Court justices, attorneys general, and more, who have come out strongly against the proposed changes.

Danny is essentially in full agreement and is particularly worried about the impact on relations with the United States. He notes that the Prime Minister has yet to receive an invitation to visit the White House, and the unprecedented nature of Pres. Biden’s open criticism of the reforms. Both Chuck and Danny deplore the fact that Israel is totally preoccupied with its domestic convulsions at the expense of dealing with the truly important issues, such as Iran’s growing uranium program.

They conclude the podcast with a discussion of the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, brokered by China, and its ramifications for the region and Israel. One big question stemming from this rapprochement is whether we are seeing the beginning of the Chinese era in the Middle East, at the expense of the American leadership role in the region.

Join Chuck and Danny as they agree and disagree, in detail and in-depth, always respectfully, on the critical issues Israel faces.

The MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.

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