Jonny Gould's Jewish State

Jonny talks to Fauda co-creator, Avi Issacharoff about Israeli life since October 7th and its creative impact on the forthcoming series.

Find all of Jonny's latest articles and over 220 podcast interviews recorded over seven years via his ⁠Substack⁠. What should Israel’s long-term security strategy actually look like? For nearly 80 years, Israel has fought wars, responded to terror and dealt with one existential threat after another. Many of these conflicts are called “operation something or other”, and are often forgotten by the blinding lights of bigger wars fought either side of them. Nevertheless, they are still part of the same war. But unlike countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom, Israel has never adopted a formal National Security Doctrine. So, as the Jewish State approaches its 80th anniversary, is it finally time to define one? My guest is Or Yissachar – one of Israel’s sharpest strategic thinkers. He’s a geopolitical and security analyst, the host of the Underscore podcast, and co-founder of the David Institute for Security Policy with the Israel Defense and Security Forum, IDSF. Together with a team of experts, Or has helped produce a proposed Security Doctrine for Israel. It’s about much more than military strength. It asks what kind of country Israel wants to be, exploring everything from education and national identity to strategic alliances, energy and manufacturing independence, and the enduring relationship with the Jewish diaspora. We’ve always kept in touch over the years, so it was a real pleasure to sit down with Or in London during his busy schedule. I think you’ll find this a fascinating conversation about Israel’s future—not just how it survives, but how it thrives. Jonny Gould is supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Find all of Jonny's latest articles and over 220 podcast interviews recorded over seven years via his ⁠Substack⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find all of Jonny's 200+ podcasts recorded from 2018 to the present day on his Substack. It is the privilege of my journalistic life to bring you stories of courage, resilience and extraordinary bravery that have emerged from the atrocities of October 7th—the day that changed Israel and the Jewish world moving forward. As you scroll back through my podcast archive, you’ll find conversations with survivors, bereaved families, soldiers and hostages whose experiences bear witness to that day and its aftermath. In this episode, let’s speak with Moshe and Shira Shapiro, the parents of Aner Shapiro, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists at just 22 years old. Aner was among dozens of young people sheltering inside a concrete roadside bunker after terrorists overran the Nova Music Festival. As grenade after grenade was hurled into the confined space, Aner repeatedly picked them up and threw them back outside, trying to save the lives huddled behind him. He continued until he no longer could. Eventually, the terrorists overwhelmed the bunker, and Aner was murdered alongside many of the people he had been trying to protect. His courage has become one of the defining stories of October 7th, but for Moshe and Shira, it is the story of a beloved son whose values were revealed in the most unimaginable and frankly, impossible circumstances. I met them at the Nova Music Festival Exhibition and Memorial when it came to London in the summer of 2026. My thanks to Gail Davidson for making this and so many other conversations possible. And, as always, thank you to Dangoor Education and UK Toremet. Without their support, I simply couldn’t bring you Jonny Gould’s Jewish State. Find all of Jonny's 200+ podcasts recorded from 2018 to the present day on his ⁠Substack⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find the rest of Jonny's podcasts and his articles on his Substack. This is a special episode rounding up the remaining winners of this year’s Young Schools Podcaster of the Year Award from Independent Jewish Day School in Hendon, London. Remember, these are 10- and 11-year-old children with extraordinary access to remarkable people and their extraordinary stories. Every Jewish family has stories of triumph over adversity, of courage, perseverance and applying intellect in the service of justice. As you’ll hear, those stories come from every place and every generation. First, Hadar Gamsu interviews Brigadier General Oren Solomon. He has devoted more than 20 years to military service, consistently putting himself in harm’s way to protect others. On October 7th, he fought in southern Israel, helping defend communities and save lives during the fiercest battles. During a distinguished career, he also fought terrorists in northern Israel and throughout the Second Intifada. His exceptional bravery is matched by his calm, thoughtful and principled leadership. Then Maya Gutkin speaks to Paul Morgan-Bentley, the former Head of Investigations at The Times and Head of Forensic Journalism at Channel 4. Paul has spent years exposing complex scandals inside major organisations, journalism that has made a real difference to public life. And Ava Minsky interviews her great-aunt, Eve Willman, who came to Britain on the Kindertransport from Austria when she was just five years old. Now aged 93, Eve was awarded the British Empire Medal for her tireless work sharing her story with future generations. She recalls arriving at Liverpool Street Station and the organised chaos of finding foster families, a moment that changed the course of her life forever. With sincere thanks to Year 6 head, Dov Cohen and headmaster, Yosh Radomsky. The enthusiasm your classes have had over the year makes this project so worthwhile. I couldn’t bring you these stories without the support of Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Find the rest of Jonny's podcasts and his articles on his ⁠Substack⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Bolchover talks to Jonny about his deeply moving and extremely well researched book about murdered footballers in the Holocaust