Boots on the Ground

SC MEDIA PRODUCTION JERUSALEM LTD
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Politics

Shaun and Ari Discuss Israel is proud to partner with the Jerusalem Media Group to relaunch as Boots on the Ground: Insights on Israel’s War, Politics, and Identity.

  1. 6d ago

    No Clear Path: Israel's Election Deadlock, Unity Government or Round Two? | Shaun & Ari ep 50

    The votes are counted, and neither side has a clear way to 61 seats. So what happens now? In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Shaun Sacks is back from reserve duty and sits down with Ari Kalker to unpack the results of Israel's election: why Netanyahu's bloc came up short, what the opposition actually ran on, and whether the country is heading for a unity government or another round at the ballot box. Topics include: The results: Netanyahu's Likud is again the largest party, but no bloc can form a coalition without crossing lines it promised not to cross. The campaigns: Replacing Netanyahu, the Haredi draft and an October 7th inquiry on one side; stability and unfinished wars on the other. Why "finish the job" became a credibility problem. The Haredi draft: A manpower crisis, or a deeper question about the relationship between the Haredi community and the rest of Israeli society? How a government gets formed: The President, recommendations, three-week mandates, extensions, and why a second election might come sooner than you think. What comes next: A caretaker government, the "coalition of those who serve", the push to bring the Arab parties into government, and why UTJ didn't recommend anyone. The bottom line: Do we love Israel more than we hate Bibi? Chapters: 0:00 Teaser 0:35 Intro 1:13 Back together after the election 2:45 No clear path to 61 seats 4:19 Three elections in two years: lessons from last time 5:29 What the opposition ran on 6:55 What Netanyahu's bloc ran on 10:16 Nobody has taken responsibility 11:50 Where's the vision? 16:15 The Haredi draft question 21:00 A third option on the draft 23:06 How a government gets formed 27:26 The caretaker government 28:03 Is another election really so bad? 30:48 A "coalition of those who serve" 32:54 Normalizing the Arab parties 37:28 Why UTJ didn't recommend anyone 39:56 What the opposition really wants 41:07 Why a unity government won't happen 43:16 Do we love Israel more than we hate Bibi? 44:05 We will be okay 🎥 Sponsored by Be There Israel: professional live streaming services connecting your events in Israel with friends and family around the world. https://bethereisrael.com 🎬 Produced in partnership with Jerusalem Media Group: https://jerusalemmediagroup.com Subscribe, share, and join the conversation. #BootsOnTheGround #IsraelElections #Netanyahu #Eisenkot #UnityGovernment #HarediDraft #Knesset #Israel

  2. 6d ago

    Still Undecided: A Reservist's Election Day Dilemma with Haim Brenner ep 49

    Election day in Israel, and Haim Brenner still doesn't know who he's voting for. In this episode of Boots on the Ground, host Ari Kalker sits down with returning guest Haim Brenner, an active IDF reservist and one of the many Israelis who serve, study, work and pay taxes but walked up to the ballot box undecided. Recorded just before Haim went to vote, it's an honest, friendly argument about what actually matters and who can deliver it. Haim lays out his three priorities, security, accountability and the economy, and Ari pushes back with the case for Ofer Winter and Amcha Yisrael. They don't always agree, and that's the point. Topics include: Accountability after October 7th: Why half the country won't trust any inquiry commission, and Ofer Winter's proposal for one both sides could accept. Drafting everyone: Haredi enlistment, national service, and why the burden of service and taxes falls on a shrinking share of Israelis. Carrot or stick: Bennett's "turn off the faucet" plan versus Amcha Yisrael's combination of incentives and consequences. The economy and housing: Cost of living, reservists missing months of work, young people buying homes, and rebuilding the north and the Western Negev. Coalition math: Each of their dream coalitions, and the four realistic scenarios for the morning after the election. Optimism: Why being able to sit down, disagree, and still share a coffee gives Haim hope for Israel's future. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:46 Haim is back, and still undecided 1:45 Security, accountability and the economy 4:32 Accountability and a commission of inquiry 6:11 Drafting everyone 14:22 Bennett's plan: turn off the faucet 20:47 Amcha Yisrael's carrot and stick 27:03 The economy 30:21 Helping young people buy a home 37:38 Dream coalitions 43:32 Four scenarios after the election 49:21 What gives us optimism Whoever you support, go out and vote. 🎙️ Hosted by Ari Kalker 🎥 Produced in partnership with Jerusalem Media Group (https://jerusalemmediagroup.com) 🤝 Sponsored by Be There Israel: professional live streaming services connecting your events in Israel with friends and family around the world. https://bethereisrael.com Subscribe, share, and join the conversation. #BootsOnTheGround #HaimBrenner #IsraelElections #OferWinter #AmchaYisrael #IsraeliPolitics #Israel #IDFReservists

  3. 6d ago

    The Cost of Living: An Economist's Plan for Housing, Mortgages & Prices with Ronen Budnero ep 48

    Israel's economy looks strong on paper, so why can't young families afford a home? In this episode of Boots on the Ground, host Ari Kalker sits down with Ronen Budnero, an economist who worked at the Finance Ministry, a reservist with almost 800 days of service in the current war, and No. 7 on the Amcha Yisrael list. They dig into the cost of living: why housing keeps getting more expensive, who gets the state's mortgage discounts, and what it would take to bring prices down in the supermarket. Topics include: Housing: Why years of fixing the demand side haven't worked, and the case for reforming the Israel Lands Authority and cutting a planning process that takes over a decade. Mortgages: Shifting state mortgage discounts toward the people who serve. Prices: Over-regulation, special interest groups, a German fish food company that walked away from Israel, and what the butter market teaches us about competition. Defense spending: Paying for security without borrowing from our children's future, and why finishing the wars matters for the economy. Optimism: Why Ronen sees opportunity, not fear. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:38 Who is Ronen Budnero? 5:27 A strong economy that doesn't reach everyone 7:13 Mortgages and the cost of housing 8:47 Fix supply, not demand 10:19 Reforming the Israel Lands Authority 12:31 12 years from land to keys 14:21 A one-stop shop for developers 14:50 Mortgage discounts for those who serve 17:56 The housing plan in summary 18:51 Supermarket prices and competition 19:59 Too much regulation 21:28 The fish food story 24:30 What's good for Europe is good for Israel 26:44 Lessons from the butter market 28:28 Paying for defense without borrowing from the future 32:13 Finishing the wars 33:40 Summing up 34:17 A reason for optimism 36:58 Go out and vote 🎥 Sponsored by Be There Israel: professional live streaming services connecting your events in Israel with friends and family around the world. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation. #BootsOnTheGround #RonenBudnero #CostOfLiving #IsraelEconomy #AmchaYisrael #OferWinter #IsraelElections #Israel Thanks to our partners at https://jerusalemmediagroup.com and our sponsors https://bethereisrael.com

  4. Oct 22

    Fleur Hassan-Nahoum: Ofer Winter, Netanyahu & the Future of Israel ep 47

    What does Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael party actually stand for? What would it do differently on national security, Haredi enlistment, education, the economy, and Aliyah? And why is a party promising political change willing to join a Netanyahu-led government? In this episode of Boots on the Ground, host Ari Kalker sits down with Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Israel's Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation, and number five on Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael Knesset list, for a wide-ranging conversation about Israel's future. We go beyond campaign slogans and get into the policies, the practical challenges, and the difficult political decisions facing Israel. Topics include: National Security: Ofer Winter's defense doctrine, defeating Hamas, Israel's northern border, and restoring deterrence. The War of Words: Why military victories alone aren't enough, and how Israel can fight diplomatic isolation and delegitimization through technology, AI, and public diplomacy. Haredi Enlistment: Can Israel create a more equitable system of military and national service without alienating the ultra-Orthodox community? Education and Economic Reform: Breaking the power of special interests, decentralizing education, and preparing Israel's next generation for the workforce. Aliyah: Treating immigration as a national talent acquisition strategy, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, and making Israel more welcoming to skilled professionals. Netanyahu and Coalition Politics: Why would Ofer Winter join a Netanyahu-led coalition? Can Israel build a broad right-wing government, and what separates Amcha Yisrael from Likud, Bennett, and Lieberman? We also discuss Fleur's personal journey in Israeli politics, the challenges of introducing a new political party, and what gives her hope for Israel's future. Whether you support Ofer Winter, oppose him, or are simply trying to understand what Amcha Yisrael represents, this conversation is an opportunity to hear the policies and arguments directly and make up your own mind. 🎙️ Hosted by Ari Kalker 🎥 Produced in partnership with Jerusalem Media Group 🤝 Sponsored by Be There Israel — professional live streaming services connecting your events in Israel with friends and family around the world. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation. #BootsOnTheGround #FleurHassanNahoum #OferWinter #AmchaYisrael #IsraeliPolitics #Israel #Netanyahu #Aliyah

  5. Oct 15

    Israeli Elections Explained: How Your Vote Becomes a Government ep 46

    How does Israel's electoral system actually work? What happens to your vote after you cast it? And how does a country with so many political parties end up forming a government? In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari Kalker goes solo for a crash course in Israeli democracy, breaking down everything from the voting booth to the formation of a governing coalition. We cover how Israelis vote, how ballots are counted, what the 3.25% electoral threshold means, how Knesset seats are distributed, and why the party with the most votes doesn't necessarily get to choose the prime minister. Then we turn to the political landscape, taking a look at the major parties competing for seats in the next Knesset, their leaders, their political positions, and what they represent for Israel's future. From Netanyahu's Likud and the established opposition to the emerging parties of Yoaz Hendel and Ofer Winter, Ari offers his personal assessment of the political choices facing Israeli voters. Full disclosure: Ari is actively involved in Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael party and makes no attempt to hide his political affiliations. But regardless of where you stand politically, understanding how Israel's democracy works is essential to making an informed decision. 🗳️ Check Your Voter Registration & Polling Station Not sure if you're registered to vote or where your polling station is located? Check your voter registration status and find your designated polling station here: 👉 https://www.gov.il/apps/moin/bocharim/en Israel's future is decided at the ballot box. Make sure you understand how it works. 🇮🇱 Boots on the Ground — Israel's wars, politics, and identity, from the perspective of those living it. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation!

  6. Aug 24

    Why Your Vote Doesn’t Work the Way You Think — with Tamir Dortal ep 45

    Israelis vote. Governments form. Coalitions collapse. But how many of us actually understand the system that turns our votes into 120 seats in the Knesset? This week on Boots on the Ground, I’m joined by Tamir Dortal, host of the Hebrew-language podcast Al HaMashmaut, for a deep dive into how Israeli elections actually work—and how the structure of the system shapes the politics we get. We break down Israel’s unusual nationwide electoral system, party lists and primaries, the electoral threshold, surplus-vote agreements, and what happens to votes cast for parties that fail to cross the threshold. More importantly, we look at the incentives the system creates: Who are MKs really accountable to—the voters or the party leaders who determine their political futures? Tamir argues that some of Israel’s biggest political problems may have less to do with the politicians themselves and more to do with the rules of the game. We discuss how the electoral threshold can give smaller coalition partners enormous leverage, why votes can effectively disappear, and whether lowering the threshold and reforming vote-sharing could produce broader, more stable governments where every vote matters. And we finish with a provocative question: Could changing the mechanics of Israeli elections change Israeli politics itself?

  7. Aug 5

    Citizen Defenders: A U.S. Army Ranger's Plan to Protect Israel ep 44 with Yoni Zagdanski

    What transforms a bullied Jewish teenager from Belgium into a U.S. Army Ranger, a Reserve Colonel, and ultimately one of the leaders building Israel's next generation of civilian defense? In this episode of Boots on the Ground, I sit down with Colonel Yonatan Zagdanski, a former U.S. Army Ranger and Reserve Chaplain, to discuss his extraordinary journey—from the battlefields of the U.S. military to the front lines of Israel's security. We discuss the lessons Ranger training teaches about leadership, discipline, and strength, the rise of antisemitism that shaped his worldview, why he chose to make aliyah, and how October 7 fundamentally changed Israel's security paradigm. We also explore Citizen Defenders, the initiative helping communities across Israel build highly trained neighborhood response teams capable of defending their families until security forces arrive. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it. Support Citizen Defenders Citizen Defenders is an Israeli nonprofit initiative training licensed civilians to serve as immediate responders during terrorist attacks and other emergencies. Donations are tax-deductible through its U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. 🇮🇱 Donate: https://secure.israelfriends.us/campaigns/citizen-project 🌐 Website: https://citizen-defenders.org 📧 Contact: Yonatan.z@citizen-defenders.org Am Yisrael Chai!!

  8. Jul 31

    The Calm Before Israel's Political Storm ep 43

    Israel's election campaign has entered an unusual quiet period. The polls are changing almost daily, new parties are emerging, and political alliances are still taking shape—but how much of it actually matters? In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari and Shaun break down why current polling numbers may be telling us very little, examine the rise of Gadi Eisenkot's new party, and explain why the real campaign won't begin until party lists are finalized. They also discuss the growing tensions in Judea and Samaria, the latest developments surrounding Iran and the United States, and why Israeli politics has become dominated by personalities instead of serious policy debates. As election season heats up, the hosts argue that voters should demand something more than slogans and campaign promises: practical, achievable policies that address Israel's real strategic challenges. Support Ari's work: If you believe in bringing practical, policy-driven leadership to the Jewish world, I'd be honored to have your vote as one of the Top 25 Young ViZIONaries, an initiative of Jewish National Fund-USA and The Jerusalem Post. It takes less than a minute to vote, and every vote makes a difference. Please vote and share with your friends and family:   https://top25vizionaries.com/vote/ari-kalker-mrw4lihl

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Shaun and Ari Discuss Israel is proud to partner with the Jerusalem Media Group to relaunch as Boots on the Ground: Insights on Israel’s War, Politics, and Identity.

Information

  • Creator
    SC MEDIA PRODUCTION JERUSALEM LTD
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Boots on the Ground
  • Show Website
    Boots on the Ground