FIDF Live

Friends of The IDF
  • 4.6 (10)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
FIDF Live

Moving stories, exclusive base visits, donor spotlights. Bringing the men and women of the IDF directly to you.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: FIDF Casualties Officer Maj. (Res.) M. - January 12, 2025

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil invites FIDF Casualties Officer Maj. (Res.) M. to discuss the effect of Israel’s multi-front war on the families of soldiers who have either been injured or have fallen in combat. Officer Maj. (Res.) M. explains that families of soldiers currently serving experience high levels of anxiety and fear that they may get a difficult call in regards to their loved one, which itself is very difficult for families to cope with. However,  Officer Maj. (Res.) M. has been involved with support groups and retreats for families of fallen soldiers, which the FIDF supports and funds. She explains how cathartic and therapeutic these retreats are for the families, who can share experiences of losing someone so instrumental to their lives. The programs provide participants with tools to cope without medical supplementation. With that said, coping is a lifelong endeavor, and requires ongoing care and support from organizations like the FIDF, as well as those who share similar grief and experiences.    Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    32 min

  2. JAN 5

    FIDF LIVE Briefing - 2024 in Review: A Transformational Year - January 5, 2025

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil walks us through the year 2024, a rollercoaster year for Israel and the IDF. Steven walks us through the progress Israel has made in its mission to eliminate her surrounding threats. However, Steven reminds us that while progress has been made, Hamas is still operative, and still using its civilian population as its first line of defense, and civilization homes and institutions as headquarters and weapons storehouses. With that being said, the FIDF has been integral to supporting IDF soldiers in a variety of ways, such as equipping medical trucks with the tech and gear it needs, supplying state of the art tourniquets, providing PTSD support and injured soldier rehabilitation. It has been the sacrifice and bravery of the IDF soldiers on the ground, the cunning of Israel’s intelligence forces, and the integral support from IDF supporters and organizations like the FIDF that is accountable for why Israel is still stable and thriving amidst turmoil and daily threats to her safety. In the waning months of 2024 we saw the IDF nearly completely eliminate Hezbollah and the downfall of Assad. While there is much uncertainty and instability in the Middle East as we head into 2025, there is much to be encouraged by.  Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    50 min

  3. 12/29/2024

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: Update on Israel's Multi-Front War w/ Ruthie and Andy Weiser, Grandparents of sergeant First Class Roey Weiner, Z”L

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Ruthie and Andy Weiser, Grandparents of sergeant First Class Roey Weiser, Z”L, a combat solider in Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade, who was killed on October 7th, 2023, to talk about loss and the mixed emotions they and their family have experienced over the last 15 or so months. Andy explains the heroics of Roey, who defended his base, Erez, from Hamas terrorists for hours. He was ultimately overrun by Hamas after having run out of bullets. Roey and his comrades saved 12 soldiers. Roey was 21 years old. The loss beared a heavy burden upon Ruthie and Andy, who participate in a grandparents support group, where they share each other’s thoughts and experiences about loss, and explore the uniquely challenging role of being the parent of a parent of a fallen soldier. However, Ruthie explains, this isn’t a tragedy. Roey was doing his job, and Ruthie takes great pride in her grandson and what he did on that tragic day.  Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    44 min

  4. 12/22/2024

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: The Real Story of Chanukah and Its Ramifications for Israel in 2024 - December 22, 2024

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil discusses the story of Chanukah, contextualizing it within the current multi-front war, the power struggle in Syria, and the rapidly evolving Middle East. Steven gives a sweeping Jewish historical overview of the First and Second Temple eras and the region that is now Syria, all the way to modern history, elucidating the evolution of the Israeli Jewish population from its humble beginnings as an economically meager, to growing into a one of the most dynamic economies in the world, at the cutting edge of a wide array of disciplines. Steven explains that the seemingly miraculous events that have occurred over the last several months, with Lebanon, Syria and Iran, are analogous to the miracle of Chanukah, when the Maccabees defeated the mighty Syrian Greeks. Steven likens the young Jewish men and women in the IDF to the modern day Maccabees, who have sacrificed everything to destroy those threatening the lives of their fellow countrymen, and whose actions have liberated Syrians from Al Assad’s tyrannical murderous regime.  Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    1h 15m

  5. 12/15/2024

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: War Update with Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan - December 15, 2024

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan to discuss the seismic shifts that have occurred over the last week in the Middle East as a result of the fall of the Assad regime. Nadav explains that Syria has been fractured for years, split between Assad’s regime, Hezbollah, Kurds, Turks and other rebel and jihadist groups. The situation is very fragile. The IDF immediately implemented its plan to destroy chemical weapons storages and factories, airbases artillery and weapons stores, with the goals of keeping them out of the hands of the various groups jockeying for power. Nadav wonders aloud what Iran’s next move will be. One option could be for Iran to aggressively increase their efforts to develop a nuclear weapon, while another option could involve some kind of a negotiation with President Elect Donald Trump to ensure their own protection. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    43 min

  6. 12/08/2024

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: War Update with Amichai Stein, Political Correspondent for Kan 11 IPBC

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Amichai Stein, Political Correspondent for Kan 11 IPBC to discuss the hostage situation and a variety of other current challenges for Israel and the IDF. Amichai begins the discussion by pointing out the stark contrast between being a journalist in Israel and being a journalist in the US, and how dramatically his job has changed over the course of the last year. The question, Amichai explains, is what is the goal of Hamas, and what are they willing to walk away with at this juncture. Would they even consider a hostage deal after losing so much? Based on the presence of Hamas officials in Egypt indicating some kind of willingness to enter into negotiations, there is reason to believe that a hostage deal can be salvaged. Following the news about Long Island native Omer Neutra, Israel and the IDF is again going all in on retrieving the hostages. However, Amichai warns of the perils of giving up too much in exchange for the hostages, and setting Israel back to October 6th, 2023. Striking the balance between retrieving the hostages and progressing to a safer and improved security situation between Israel and Gaza is the challenge right now for the IDF and the Israeli government.   Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    42 min

  7. 12/01/2024

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: Update on Israel's Multi-Front War w/ Eric Mandel, Founder and Director of MEPIN

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Eric Mandel, Founder and Director of the Middle East Political and Information Network (MEPIN) to discuss Eric’s analysis on the current war. Eric expresses cautious optimism in regards to the recently negotiated ceasefire in the north between Israel and Hezbollah. The optimism stems from Hezbollah’s motive to agree to the ceasefire, namely, the embarrassment and devastation they’ve weathered from the IDF and the Mossad taking out much of their fighting force and leadership. The cautiousness comes from Israel’s motives to agree to the ceasefire, namely, the exhaustion of the soldiers, many of whom have been away from their jobs and families for the better part of 400 days. Meanwhile, Eric has tried to explain to both US administrations during their campaigns that the war in Gaza is still far from over, with thousands of terrorists still remaining and with a stronghold on the population, despite being without leadership. Further, hundreds of miles of tunnels still remain. Eric has urged the administrations to focus on Iran, the “head of the octopus.” With their anti-missile weapons systems down following the recent IDF air force operation, now would be the opportunity to hit Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities. However, Eric doesn’t believe that such an operation, although prudent, as likely to occur. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    45 min

  8. 11/24/2024

    FIDF LIVE Briefing: Update on Israel's Multi-Front War with Tommy Reuveny, Israeli Olympic Gold Medal Winner & IDF Reservist  - November 24, 2024

    FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by Israeli Olympic Gold Medalist Tommy Reuveny to discuss his experience being an Israeli olympian during the war, traveling the world as an Israeli Jewish athlete, and what it meant to him to be the only Israeli gold medalist in the 2024 olympics. Tommy explains that October 7th occurred shortly after the olympic trials. Tommy’s brother is a IDF soldier for an elite unit. He arrived on the scene in the morning of October 7th. After three days of anxiously waiting, Tommy got word that his brother was okay. While training was difficult for Tommy after the attack, the olympic committee urged him and the other Israeli olympians to go out and win a medal. The fear of a repeat of the Munich Olympics, coupled with whatsapp death threats and the desire to win a medal for his country in desperate need of victory, the pressure was immense. Tommy was even urged not to wear clothing that would identify him was a Jew or Israeli in public, or speak Hebrew in public. But the threats and the will to win for his country propelled Tommy’s competitive spirit, ultimately resulting in a runaway finish for the gold. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

    31 min
See All (96)

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Moving stories, exclusive base visits, donor spotlights. Bringing the men and women of the IDF directly to you.

Information

  • Creator
    Friends of The IDF
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Friends of The IDF
  • Show Website
    FIDF Live

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada