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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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