167 episodes

Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.

Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".

For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy. 

Unholy: Two Jews on the News Keshet

    • News
    • 4.8 • 255 Ratings

Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.

Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".

For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy. 

    Rewind: Scott Galloway vs. the World

    Rewind: Scott Galloway vs. the World

    During the Passover break, another chance to hear one of our most forceful conversations - one that, in many ways, has only become more timely. Yonit and Jonathan talk to the entrepreneur, scholar and podcaster Professor Scott Galloway about the war that is waged not through bombs and rockets, but in the media, online - and especially on campus.

     
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 55 min
    The 11th Plague - with Fania Oz-Salzberger & Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

    The 11th Plague - with Fania Oz-Salzberger & Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

    In an episode recorded before Israel’s reported targeting of Iranian sites in the early hours of Friday morning, Yonit and Jonathan discuss the ongoing fallout from Iran’s attack on Israel six days earlier — assessing the arguments and dilemmas that have gripped Israel’s policymakers. Plus: a conversation about the future for Israelis and Palestinians when the current war in Gaza is finally over, with Israeli scholar and thinker Fania Oz-Salzberger and Palestinian writer and analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. And, of course, some thoughts for the seder table as Pesach, or Passover, approaches

    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: Unholy Podcast.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 20 min
    Urgent Update: Iran Attacks

    Urgent Update: Iran Attacks

    Yonit and Jonathan talk through an unprecedented night in which Iran launched a direct attack on Israeli territory for the first time - and in which a series of Arab nations joined the US, UK, France and Israel itself in protecting the country from a sustained Iranian drone and missile attack. How will - and how should - Benjamin Netanyahu respond? Is there a way to retaliate without triggering a wider regional war? And what are the implications for both Israel's battle against Hamas and its place in the Middle East?
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 27 min
    This Jewish Life: A Conversation with Ira Glass & Etgar Keret

    This Jewish Life: A Conversation with Ira Glass & Etgar Keret

    Israeli writer and satirist Etgar Keret and US broadcasting legend Ira Glass have been friends for two decades - but October 7 put that friendship under strain. They found themselves seeing the same events differently. Like Yonit and Jonathan, one was inside, the other outside. The four of them talk about that, about grief, friendship - and much else. Plus an update on the looming threat from Iran and the state of the war in Gaza — and there are some choice nominees for the chutzpah and mensch awards
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 15 min
    The Six Month War - With Amos Harel, Angela Buchdahl and Bianna Golodryga

    The Six Month War - With Amos Harel, Angela Buchdahl and Bianna Golodryga

    The war that began on October 7 is six months old: to mark the occasion, a special episode with three unique voices. Yonit and Jonathan hear from Israel's pre-eminent military analyst, Amos Harel, on the state of the conflict in Gaza - what's happened, what might come next and the prospects for a wider clash with Iran and Hizbullah. They speak with Rabbi Angela Buchdal of New York about how October 7 shook the Jewish diaspora, and how Judaism might serve as a consolation in these dark days. And they hear from CNN's BIanna Golodryga about the hostages taken that day and the challenge of keeping global attention on their increasingly desperate fate. Plus: some award winners - and an unexpected moment of song.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 39 min
    V For Veto

    V For Veto

    In a week when the US withheld its protective veto at the UN Security Council, leaving Israel isolated, Yonit and Jonathan discuss the deteriorating state of the US-Israel relationship - and what logic might be steering Benjamin Netanyahu to risk such a rupture with Washington. Plus: the looming battle over the ultra-orthodox and military service, and a farewell to two pioneers - one a groundbreaking economist, the other the Jewish vice president who never was.

    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: Unholy Podcast.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
255 Ratings

255 Ratings

Tashshkoach ,

Thank you

This week is always I so enjoy your program.
Yonit Thank you for keeping us up-to-date on the Israeli local Phillies, thoughts and news. Thank you so much.
Johnathan, thank you for clarifying. The international view has always.
I was wondering why no one made has done an exposé on the BBC ?why does this imbalance remain on check? It is so difficult to comprehend this sort of biased in the media.
Keep up your great work

Naama R. ,

“Yoni & Johnny”: A Masterful Blend of Insight and Entertainment

Yoni & Johnny's podcast strikes the perfect balance between seriousness and entertainment. With their sharp wit, fascinating insights, intellectual discussions and humour - they have made me a devoted listener.
I wish I could enjoy their content daily :)
Thank you, Yonit and Jonathan, for your fantastic work!!

Ortal Sha ,

Thank You

Thank you, Yoni and Jonny, for a weekly breather during these terrible and unbearable months. For a long time I couldn’t bring myself to listen or watch any “entertainment” other than the news, and then I tried your podcast, and now I’m hooked.
The podcast is interesting, intelligent, and hosted in a perfect balance between heavy and light.

Top Podcasts In News

אחד ביום
N12
בזמן שעבדתם
mako מאקו
השבוע - פודקאסט הארץ
הארץ
הפודקאסט של נדב פרי
All•in & Nadav Perry
הכותרת
ynet
מפלגת המחשבות
Beit Avi Chai

You Might Also Like

What Matters Now
The Times of Israel
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
Unlocked FM
Haaretz Podcast
Haaretz
For Heaven's Sake
Shalom Hartman Institute
Israel: State of a Nation
State of a Nation Podcast
The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
The Times of Israel