After October 7: A Quillette Podcast

Pamela Paresky
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Psychologist and Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky travelled across Israel in the wake of October 7 and interviewed Israeli intellectuals, politicians, servicemen, and others about Hamas’s attack on Israel, how it happened and how it’s changed the country and the world.

  1. 3d ago

    Former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor on Zionism, October 7 and Campus Israel | Fleur Hassan-Nahoum

    Former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum joins Pamela Paresky to talk about her family’s journey from Spain to Gibraltar, the morning of 7 October, when she says international media called her because nobody else was answering, and why she now wants Jewish students to consider studying in Israel. Hassan-Nahoum is the daughter of Sir Joshua Hassan, Gibraltar’s first chief minister. She moved to Israel in 2001, served as Jerusalem’s deputy mayor for foreign relations, economic development and tourism, and was appointed Israel’s special envoy for innovation in 2023. She hosts The Quad on JNS TV and co-founded Campus Israel. Read the full transcript on Quillette: [TRANSCRIPT URL] CHAPTERS 00:00 An unpronounceable name 01:00 From Spain to Gibraltar: “No Jews and no Moors” 03:00 Baghdad, Kolkata, London — and aliyah in the Second Intifada 06:00 Growing up in a political family 07:00 Why local government gets things done 11:00 Jerusalem’s “foreign minister” 13:00 October 7: “Nobody else was answering” 16:00 Launching The Quad 18:00 Visiting Be’eri 22:00 Campus Israel: studying in the startup nation 27:00 What people get wrong about Zionism 29:00 Three ways to become a country 31:00 Why Jerusalem: King David and diversity 34:00 Where to find Fleur Subscribe to Quillette: https://quillette.com #Israel #Zionism #Antisemitism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Oct 28

    Mosul Eye: The Historian Who Secretly Documented ISIS | Omar Mohammed

    For three years, historian Omar Mohammed secretly documented life under the Islamic State as the anonymous blogger Mosul Eye. He speaks with Pamela Paresky about growing up under Saddam Hussein, the Jewish history Iraq erased, the 1941 Farhud, reporting from inside ISIS-held Mosul, and why he believes antisemitism is the thread that runs through every jihadist movement. Omar Mohammed is a senior research fellow at the George Washington University Program on Extremism, where he leads the Antisemitism Research Initiative. His book, Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS, is out now. 📚 Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510785674?tag=quillette-20 🌐 Omar Mohammed at GWU: https://extremism.gwu.edu/omar-mohammed Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.com CHAPTERS 0:00 Growing up in Saddam’s Mosul 3:00 What Saddam’s Iraq taught about Jews 8:00 The fall of Mosul to ISIS 12:00 Discovering Mosul’s erased Jewish history 16:00 Finding the Jews of Mosul 20:00 The Farhud 26:00 “Good Jews” and “bad Jews” 29:00 Sectarian war and a murdered professor 39:00 Why he says every terror group is antisemitic 41:00 “The moral compass of any society is its Jews” 43:00 Writing Mosul Eye under ISIS 46:00 Who was reading Mosul Eye 49:00 Nearly caught 53:00 How Mosul stopped obeying ISIS 1:03:00 Western support for Hamas and Hezbollah 1:09:00 The “reassignment” of Jews 1:16:00 Khaybar 1:17:00 Studying antisemitism online 1:21:00 Where to find Omar Mohammed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 15

    Pallywood, Jihad, and the Failure of the Press | Richard Landes

    Historian Richard Landes speaks with Pamela Paresky about apocalyptic movements, shame–honour cultures, and why he believes Western journalism has spent twenty-five years reporting jihad backwards.Landes was trained as a medievalist, specialising in apocalyptic movements and shame–honour cultures. He is the author of Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad, and the founder of Infidel Awareness Month, a 27-day observance running from 11 September to 7 October.Recorded 9 September 2026.📖 Full transcript: coming soon🌐 infidelawareness.com📚 Can "The Whole World" Be Wrong? — https://www.amazon.com/dp/164469994X?tag=quillette-20Quillette is an independent platform for free thought. Subscribe: https://quillette.comCHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Background 02:41 Hamas vs. Palestinian Nationalism 05:15 Durban, 9/11, and Media Narratives 19:46 Islamophobia and Its Uses 41:02 Infidel Awareness Month 59:31 October 7th and Campus Response 01:08:25 Looking Ahead: Reasons for Optimism 01:11:21 Media Fabrication ("Pallywood") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Apr 29

    “I Fought for Israel” — Yoseph Haddad on Hamas, Gaza & Media Narratives

    What is it really like to be an Arab Muslim serving in the Israeli army? In this in-depth conversation, Yoseph Haddad speaks with Pamela Paresky about his life growing up in mixed Jewish-Arab communities, volunteering for the IDF, being seriously wounded in combat, and challenging some of the most widely repeated claims about Israel. From Haifa and Nazareth to the front lines of the 2006 Lebanon War, Haddad offers a firsthand account of coexistence, identity, and conflict—while directly addressing accusations of apartheid, media bias, and the realities of the Gaza war. Topics include: Arab citizens of Israel and coexistence Serving in the IDF as a Muslim volunteer The “apartheid” accusation against Israel The October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza Civilian vs combatant casualty debates Historical claims about Israel and Zionism Media narratives and global perceptions Whether you agree or disagree, this is a perspective rarely heard—and one that challenges dominant narratives. 💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 👉 Learn more: https://quillette.com 👉 Subscribe for more long-form conversations on politics, culture, and ideas. 00:00 Israel “Unbeatable” — Opening Statement 00:30 Growing Up in Haifa & Nazareth 01:27 Jewish–Arab Coexistence in Daily Life 02:50 Language, Identity & Cultural Bridges 03:58 Volunteering for the IDF as an Arab Muslim 04:25 Does the IDF Protect All Citizens? 05:33 Serving in the Golani Brigade 06:25 Debunking the Apartheid Claim 07:35 Lebanese Civilians & Hezbollah War 09:17 Near-Fatal Injury in Combat 11:24 Rescue Under Fire 13:25 Challenging Anti-Israel Narratives 15:59 Mission: Change Minds with Facts 17:23 Is Israel a Racist Society? 18:44 Why “Apartheid” Claims Backfire 20:20 Jewish–Arab Unity vs Extremism 21:14 The Maxim Restaurant Bombing 22:35 Terrorism Targets All Israelis 23:28 Media Bias Explained 24:25 BBC Arabic Controversy 25:51 Why He Became an Advocate 26:18 Founding “Together Vouch” 27:14 Educating Foreigners Abroad 29:27 October 7 & Existential War 30:34 Value of Human Life in Israel 32:54 Family History in the Land 35:12 1948 & the Partition Debate 36:10 Christians in Israel vs Region 38:57 Apartheid Comparison to South Africa 42:27 Arab Representation in Israeli Sport 44:54 Peace vs Violence Debate 47:03 Origins of the Conflict (Ancient History) 49:02 What Zionism Means 49:44 Historical & Religious Claims to the Land 50:13 Was Jesus “Palestinian”? 51:52 Arabic Bible & Historical Context 52:11 Jews, Christians & Muslim Empires 52:51 What the Quran Says About Israel 53:36 Are Jews “Occupiers”? 55:25 Gaza War Casualty Claims 57:28 Civilian vs Combatant Ratios 58:54 Comparing Modern Warfare 59:46 Destruction vs Population Reality 01:00:44 “Free Palestine from Hamas” 01:01:28 Final Challenge to Critics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Apr 28

    Gadi Taub: Why Israel Can’t Live With a Nuclear Iran

    In this wide-ranging Quillette interview, Gadi Taub speaks with Pamela Paresky about Israel’s war aims, the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the collapse of long-standing assumptions in Western foreign policy. Taub argues that the goal of the current conflict is not simply to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but to make the cost of pursuing them unbearable. He also examines the legacy of the Oslo Accords, the failure of deterrence-based thinking, and the deeper ideological divide between Western and Islamist worldviews. The conversation explores how postmodern and postcolonial ideas have shaped Western perceptions of conflict—often obscuring reality rather than clarifying it. Topics include:– Why regime change is difficult but still relevant– The strategic transformation of the Middle East– The failure of Oslo and the two-state paradigm– Palestinian political culture and the role of Hamas– Deterrence, escalation, and military doctrine– The influence of postmodernism on Western thinking This is a detailed and challenging discussion about war, ideology, and the limits of Western self-understanding. 00:00 – War aims and the limits of destroying nuclear programmes01:00 – Why deterrence may not work with Iran03:00 – How the Middle East strategic balance has shifted05:00 – The problem with “living with a nuclear Iran”07:00 – Zionism, academia, and the culture wars10:00 – Civilisation vs barbarism: competing worldviews12:00 – Nuclear deterrence and Western complacency14:30 – Why avoiding war can lead to bigger wars18:00 – Israel’s early military doctrine vs modern strategy22:00 – Deterrence, escalation, and US–Israel alignment25:00 – Internal tensions: politicians vs military leadership29:00 – The “gatekeepers” and democratic accountability33:00 – Oslo explained: demographics vs security37:00 – The collapse of the “concept” on October 7th42:00 – Palestinian society, education, and ideology47:00 – Civilian casualties and urban warfare comparisons50:00 – Why Oslo failed in practice55:00 – Gaza disengagement and its consequences59:00 – West Bank risks and security realities01:05:00 – The West’s tendency to blame itself01:10:00 – Postmodernism, Foucault, and truth01:15:00 – Identity politics and the depoliticisation of identity01:20:00 – Why Zionism is uniquely targeted01:24:00 – What the West gets wrong—and what must change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Gadi Taub: Why Israel Can’t Live With a Nuclear Iran

  6. Apr 28

    Inside Iran: Why the Regime May Be Near Collapse | Emily Schrader Interview

    In this episode, Pamela Paresky speaks with journalist and analyst Emily Schrader about the Islamic Republic of Iran—its ideology, power structure, and the growing signs that the regime may be approaching a breaking point. Schrader explains how the Iranian regime operates both internally and globally: from the role of the IRGC and the suppression of protests, to propaganda, proxy warfare, and influence networks in the West. This is a wide-ranging and deeply informed discussion about one of the most consequential geopolitical challenges of our time. 00:00 Introduction: How Emily Schrader Became Focused on Iran 01:45 Iran vs the Middle East: Identity and History 02:00 Western Media and Narrative Distortion 02:44 The IRGC’s Global Reach 06:30 Exporting the Islamic Revolution 08:00 Terrorism and Radicalisation in the West 09:15 How Iran’s Political System Actually Works 10:00 Why Iranian Elections Aren’t Real 11:00 Reformists vs Hardliners Explained 12:10 Women, Protests, and Mahsa Amini 13:45 Reza Pahlavi and Leadership Questions 14:20 Sport, Repression, and Control 16:45 The 2009 Green Movement 18:30 Economic Collapse and Mismanagement 20:10 Iranian Public Opinion on War 21:15 Prospects for Uprising 22:30 IRGC Defections and Internal Weakness 24:00 Internet Blackouts and Information Control 27:00 Ideology: Islamism and Marxism 30:00 MEK and Opposition Politics 33:00 Separatism and Regime Propaganda 36:00 Iran’s Global Ambitions 38:30 Iranian Diaspora and Western Reactions 40:45 Biggest Western Misconceptions 41:00 Why Negotiations Fail 45:00 Narrative Warfare and the Gaza War 50:30 Containment vs Confrontation 53:20 Refugees and Regional Instability 55:00 Lobbying and Influence in the West 57:20 Current Situation: Who Is in Charge? 01:01:00 What Happens Next for Iran 01:04:30 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Inside Iran: Why the Regime May Be Near Collapse | Emily Schrader Interview

  7. Mar 17

    Iran’s Revolutionary Regime and the Long War Against the West | Behnam Ben Taleblu

    In this interview, Iranian-American analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu speaks with Pamela Paresky about the ideological origins of the Islamic Republic, the evolution of Iran’s protest movements, and the geopolitical stakes of the current conflict. From the revolution of 1979 to the regime’s modern network of proxy militias, Taleblu argues that Iran’s ruling system is both internally fragile and externally aggressive—and that its future may depend on the interplay between internal dissent and external pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Iran’s Revolutionary Regime and the Long War Against the West | Behnam Ben Taleblu

  8. Mar 2

    Dan Schueftan on Gaza, Iran & the Future of Israel

    Israel’s recent military victories in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and against Iran have reshaped the regional balance of power. But according to Professor Dan Schueftan, battlefield success is only the beginning. In this wide-ranging conversation with Pamela Paresky, Schueftan argues that Israel faces not a solvable conflict but a permanent condition — one requiring what he calls “violent maintenance” to prevent enemies from rebuilding. He also contends that Israel is losing Western public opinion amid a broader cultural shift within academia, media and law. Israel, he says, must be “Sparta towards its enemies and Athens at home” — strong externally, liberal internally, and prepared for a long struggle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Dan Schueftan on Gaza, Iran & the Future of Israel
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Psychologist and Quillette contributor Pamela Paresky travelled across Israel in the wake of October 7 and interviewed Israeli intellectuals, politicians, servicemen, and others about Hamas’s attack on Israel, how it happened and how it’s changed the country and the world.

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