From Radical Activism to Moderation: Polly Bronstein’s Journey Through Israel’s Political Landscape

In this episode of RAW, we sit down with Polly Bronstein, a dynamic figure in Israeli politics and the CEO and founder of the One-Hundred initiative. Polly is also the author of the book “How I Became a Moderate - A Journey from Left to Center,” where she documents her personal and political evolution. In our conversation, Polly opens up about her experience as a young political activist, including a hunger strike she led in her early years, and shares the profound identity crisis she faced in 2015 following Benjamin Netanyahu’s landslide victory. Once a staunch left-wing activist, Polly found herself compelled to understand the people who voted for Netanyahu—settlers, ultra-Orthodox, and others—leading her to embrace different perspectives and ultimately found an organization that aims to strengthen the moderate camp in Israel.
We also delve into the benefits and dangers of staying within like-minded communities, discussing how being surrounded by those who share your views can provide both a sense of belonging and risk missing the truth.
Join us as we explore Polly’s journey from the political left to the center, her thoughts on the future of Israel, and her vision for a country that is reinvigorated and re-moralized. This is an episode full of insights, ideal for anyone grappling with the complexities of Israeli politics or the power of personal transformation.
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