The Israel Connexion

David Schulberg
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Exploring our close links with Israel and delves into the news behind the news and aims to provide detailed analysis of important current political, social and cultural issues to do with Israel. In collaboration with experts from all walks of life, who specialise in various aspects of Israel’s political life, arts and culture you can hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, on topics to do with Israelis and their involvements around the world.

  1. Israel's Ambassador Speaks, Coping with the War

    18H AGO

    Israel's Ambassador Speaks, Coping with the War

    Israel's new ambassador to Australia Dr Hillel Newman has hit the ground running and seems determined to give the Australia-Israel relationship a fillip. Today he addressed the National Press Club in Canberra much to the consternation of the Greens and their anti-Israel allies. (0:32-31:00) Deborah Danan is an Israeli journalist and communications consultant who gives us a sanguine perspective on Israelis coping with having to spend a lot of time in bomb shelters during this current war with Iran, Hezbollah and now the Houthis. (34:07-56:07) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  2. The Arab Case for Israel

    MAR 25

    The Arab Case for Israel

    ASMEA and SPME held the webinar "The Arab Case for Israel" that was led by Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). He is the author of the book The Arab Case for Israel. He champions immediate, unconditional, and comprehensive peace between every Arab nation and the Jewish state.  Before the State of Israel emerged, Arab nationalism and Islamism rejected the European-crafted state boundaries in the Middle East, including the concept of Palestine. Instead, these nations aspired to forge a unified Arab or Muslim nation. This grand vision, however, never materialized. The notion of Palestine as a distinct entity emerged in 1964, largely driven by inter-Arab rivalries rather than a historical reality. Since then, Palestinians have cultivated a narrative of a lost state that, in truth, never existed as a sovereign entity. Their collective aspiration for a “return” is less about reclaiming a physical homeland and more about yearning for a time when Israel did not exist. This imagined past fuels a vision that, if realized, risks creating yet another unstable state, given the challenges faced by many Arab nations today, including neighboring Syria and further away Iraq, where peace is always tenuous and civil war haunting these countries and their failing states. According to Hussain Abdul-Hussain a more pragmatic path forward lies in recognizing Israel’s existence as an opportunity rather than a threat. Israel’s robust economy, technological innovation, and regional influence make it a valuable partner. Arab states that have embraced peace with Israel, such as those in the Abraham Accords, have unlocked significant economic benefits proportional to their level of normalization. These agreements demonstrate that cooperation can yield mutual prosperity, fostering stability and growth across the region. Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  3. The War with Iran

    MAR 18

    The War with Iran

    The war between the US-Israel alliance and the Islamic Republic of Iran rages on and one facet of it has played out on Australian soil with the case of some of the Iranian female soccer team members who sought asylum in Australia, but under coercion most have changed their minds. I play some commentary about this fiasco from ABC sports commentator Tracey Holmes. (0:39-3:36) Mahdi Athari is an Iranian who migrated to Australia in 2013. He works for government agencies on large railway projects. He is involved in local community affairs and advocacy within the Iranian diaspora. This weekend in Melbourne the Persian community will be celebrating NOWRUZ, the Persian New Year, and this provides an opportunity for our two ancient nations (Iran and Israel) to come together at a special event and celebrate. Booking details are available here. (3:42-17:46) I play a talk by Olga Deutsch, the VP at NGO Monitor and Senior Fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security on the topic Europe and Iran: Why the Silence? that she recently presented at a MediaCentral briefing. (17:52-40:07) Repeat of large part of the interview with Senator Sarah Henderson from last week. (40:07-57:32) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  4. Western Self-Loathing

    MAR 16 ·  BONUS

    Western Self-Loathing

    Christopher Allen is the national art critic for Culture at The Australian and has been writing for the newspaper since 2008. He is an art historian and educator, teaching classical Greek and Latin. He has written an edited several books including Art in Australia and believes that the history of art in this country is often underestimated.We discuss his article that was published in The Australian "How a plague of antisemitism revealed a crisis of self-loathing in Australian culture". Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
  5. Western Self-Loathing, ABC Coverage Concerns

    MAR 11

    Western Self-Loathing, ABC Coverage Concerns

    Christopher Allen is the national art critic for Culture and has been writing in The Australian since 2008. He is an art historian and educator, teaching classical Greek and Latin. He has written an edited several books including Art in Australia and believes that the history of art in this country is often underestimated.We discuss his article that was published in The Australian "How a plague of antisemitism revealed a crisis of self-loathing in Australian culture". (0:28-37:36) Senator Sarah Henderson is the shadow minister for communications and we speak about the role that the ABC has been playing in the media that has had a significant adverse affect on our Jewish community, with many feeling that the ABC has contributed to the current spate of antisemitism in Australia. (37:41-57:42) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  6. Palestinianism and Arab Zionism

    MAR 4

    Palestinianism and Arab Zionism

    Dr. Einat Wilf is the co-author of “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace” and a leading intellectual and original thinker on matters of foreign policy, economics, education, Israel and Zionism. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010-2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. She is considered one of Israel’s most articulate representatives on the international stage.Dr Wilf has founded Israel’s newest political party, Oz. She began considering establishing the Oz Party as an independent movement after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas onslaught on Israel. Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  7. Movement Against Antizionism

    FEB 26 ·  BONUS

    Movement Against Antizionism

    Joshua Dabelstein is the Australian liaison to the Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ) and a freelance writer based in Sydney. His work features in the AFR, The Australian, SBS,  Australian Jewish News, Sydney Morning Herald, and the ABC. Besides telling us about distinctions between antizionism and antisemitism, Joshua also expressed his views about the Jewish Council of Australia and The Jewish Independent publication.  Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  8. Antizionism - the new antisemitism? + Combat Antisemitism Movement

    FEB 25

    Antizionism - the new antisemitism? + Combat Antisemitism Movement

    Joshua Dabelstein is the Australian liaison to the Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ) and a freelance writer based in Sydney. His work features in the AFR, The Australian, SBS,  Australian Jewish News, Sydney Morning Herald, and the ABC. (0:32-37:12) Yigal Nisell is a seasoned nonprofit executive and Jewish communal leader with extensive experience across education, advocacy, and cross-community engagement. Currently he is the Executive Director of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) in Australia. (37:18-57:39) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Exploring our close links with Israel and delves into the news behind the news and aims to provide detailed analysis of important current political, social and cultural issues to do with Israel. In collaboration with experts from all walks of life, who specialise in various aspects of Israel’s political life, arts and culture you can hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, on topics to do with Israelis and their involvements around the world.

Information

  • Creator
    David Schulberg
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 J-AIR Radio
  • Show Website
    The Israel Connexion

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