I live in South Africa but distance myself completely from my government’s disgraceful views and actions around the Israel Gaza war, and am one of many deeply disillusioned and ashamed citizens of this country. Your podcasts are always balanced and interesting, but the interview with Shari Mendes took on a whole new dimension. She is a gentle heroine and her soft spoken discussion on the sheer horrors and evil of what she confronted when tending to the fallen with love and compassion have touched me deeply. In some small way the actions of compassionate people do offer some comfort against the barbarism and evil Israel and the world confronts. I commend you both for tackling a hugely difficult subject with sensitivity and hope that the stories of all victims of this terrible war, started by Hamas on 7 October are shared as widely as possible to balance the hatred that we are all feeling as Jews at this time. I salute all the victims but especially the women and children. Am Israel Chai