BICOM's Podcast

Episode 99 | Unpacking the Netanyahu-Gantz agreement

In this wide-ranging podcast, Richard Pater and The Jerusalem Post’s Editor-in-Chief Yaakov Katz assess the government’s grade on how it is handling the coronavirus so far, unpack the coalition agreement signed earlier this week between Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu, and discuss the latest security concerns for the IDF, including Iran’s military satellite launch and the escalating tension on the northern border.

Episode 98 | The IDF's role in fighting COVID-19

Richard Pater talks to International Spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus about the IDF's growing role in combating COVID-19 in Israel and the Palestinian territories, the likelihood of renewed violence on the Gaza border and whether COVID-19 is changing Iran's entrenchment strategy in Syria. 

Episode 97 | Gantz gave up, Bibi won, what happens next?

James Sorene talks to journalist and Netanyahu biographer Anshel Pfeffer about Benny Gantz’s dramatic decision to join a Netanyahu led Government, the future of the Israeli right and the ultra-Orthodox communities response to coronavirus.

Episode 96 | Coronavirus and Constitutional Crisis

Richard Pater talks to former Israeli Justice Minister Dan Meridor about Israel’s constitutional crisis, coalition talks, the postponement of Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial and Israel's response to the coronavirus.

Episode 95 | Can Gantz form a minority government?

James Sorene interviews Dr. Assaf Shapira from the Israel Democracy Institute to discuss defections, minority Governments and a new law to ban an indicted MK from forming a Government.

Episode 94 | David Ben Gurion: A State at Any Cost

James Sorene interviews Tom Segev, author of the monumental new biography of David Ben-Gurion, A State At Any Cost. 

Episode 93 | No one won, again

James Sorene interviews pollster and political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin and Richard Pater interviews Tal Shalev from Walla News in a two-part evaluation of Israel’s third election.

Episode 92 | Ballots and rockets

Richard Pater talks to Eli Hazan, the Likud’s Foreign Affairs Director to discuss the latest polls, the Trump plan and rockets from Gaza. Richard also spoke to Blue and White MK Izhar Shay to talk about the party’s campaign and its plan for after the election.

Episode 91 | Election endgame

Richard Pater talks to Likud pollster Rafi Smith about how Israeli parties are shaping up as they enter the final week of the campaign. 

Episode 90 | We need to talk about the Israeli economy

Richard Pater talks to Professor Avi Weiss about the big issue being ignored in the Israeli election campaign – Israel’s increasing budget deficit and the required cuts to public spending.