Political and geopolitical analysis from the world's top experts, hosted by Dan Senor.
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To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s episode:
Benjamin Netanyahu towers over Israeli politics like no other living leader. Everything about him – from his vision to his demeanor, from his entanglement with Israel’s legal system to his personal life – is a source for division. So much so that he became the litmus test by which Israel’s political tribes are divided.
Dan was joined by Israeli journalist and author Ari Shavit to discuss how Netanyahu came to embody Israel’s political divide, what his pardon request from President Herzog means for his future, and whether Israelis can reach unity in a post-Netanyahu world.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
BRITTANY COHEN - Production Manager
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
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Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
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Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
(00:00) Introduction
(02:25) First reactions to Netanyahu’s plea
(07:00) Examining the precedents in Israeli presidential pardons
(11:23) What does Netanyahu hope to achieve?
(16:59) The case for pardoning Netanyahu
(19:26) The cases against Netanyahu, and why the trial is taking so long
(26:35) Does this all boil down to hatred of Netanyahu?
(31:30) Is the widespread hatred of Netanyahu justified?
(40:33) Unpacking the political landscape
(45:59) Herzog’s options and his legacy
Today’s episode:
On Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu submitted a formal request to President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in Netanyahu’s years-long corruption trial. The documents included an 111-page letter written by Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad, in which he argued that a pardon would allow the Prime Minister to focus squarely on advancing Israel’s interest and would help heal divisions within Israeli society. Notably, Netanyahu’s letter does not include an apology or admission of guilt. President Herzog issued an official response, stating, “After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request.”
To unpack the details and implications of Netanyahu’s request for a pardon, Dan was joined by Ark Media contributors Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=inside
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
City Journal's college ranking: https://collegerankings.city-journal.org/
The Wall St. Journal on rethinking higher ed: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/college-rankings-manhattan-institute-universities-free-speech-d9df60e2?mod=opinion_lead_pos1
City Journal's announcement: https://www.city-journal.org/article/2025-college-rankings
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s episode:
Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a deterioration within elite, higher education. From the explosion in antisemitism, to the entrenchment of wrongheaded DEI policies, many Americans have begun to doubt the real value of an elite college degree.
Last month, the Manhattan Institute – a public policy thinktank in New York City – launched its inaugural college rankings list that takes into account various factors that other popular rankings lists often don’t, such as the rigor of a school’s curriculum as well as the ideological balance of the school’s student body and professors. To discuss this new rankings system, Dan was joined by Reihan Salam, president of the Manhattan Institute, and Kevin Wallstein, Professor of Political Science at California State University and an Adjunct Fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Support American Friends of the Israeli Navy SEALs: AFINS.us/warriorcare
Scott Galloway's book, 'Notes on Being a Man': https://tinyurl.com/mtzfuz87
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=inside
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s episode:
Our guest today is Professor Scott Galloway, whose recently published book Notes on Being a Man explores what it means to be a man in contemporary America. Dan and Scott discussed the virtues and dangers of masculinity and where these ideas intersect with Scott’s Jewish identity, which has evolved following October 7th.
Scott has founded nine companies and authored several best-selling books. He is host of the Prof G Pod and co-host of Pivot. He also publishes the No Mercy / No Malice newsletter.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=inside
Visit the Tikvah Fund, who hosted this live event: https://lp.tikvah.org/jlc-2025
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s episode:
Last week, Dan was awarded the Tikvah Fund’s 2025 Herzl Prize alongside Bari Weiss, founder and CEO of The Free Press and editor-in-chief of CBS news, and Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show. The three of them sat down for a conversation moderated by Dr. Jonathan Silver, the Chief Programming Officer of Tikvah and editor of Mosaic. They discussed a wide range of issues affecting the Jewish world, with a specific focus on the American political landscape.
To learn more about Tikvah: : tikvah.org/
To subscribe to The Free Press: www.thefp.com
To subscribe to The Daily Wire: www.dailywire.com
(00:00) Introduction
(06:18) Defining the ideological crossroads we are at
(14:17) Antisemitism in online culture vs. electoral politics
(24:40) How Jewish values can guide lost youth
(29:55) Why Israel must operate from a position of strength
(33:57) Support for Israel is America First
(40:57) Why Bari took the job at CBS news
(48:44) Ben’s mission at the Daily Wire
(51:51) The importance of Jewish education
(59:36) Raising pro-America and pro-Jewish children
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Support the Jewish Communal Fund: jcfny.org/
Support the Foundation of Jewish Camp: www.jewishcamp.org/callmeback
Apply to become Ark Media’s Production Manager: tinyurl.com/mthkpmna
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=inside
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s episode:
On Monday, the United Nations Security Council voted to adopt the US-proposed resolution authorizing the establishment of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza, as outlined by President Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The resolution allows for Trump’s “board of peace” to oversee multinational peacekeeping forces, Palestinian technocrats, and a local police force that would govern Gaza for a period of two years, while potentially paving a path for a Palestinian state.
On Tuesday, President Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the White House. Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, MBS stated that Riyadh would like to join the Abraham Accords but must see a pathway toward a two-state solution. Also, Trump confirmed that the United States will sell F-35 “stealth” jets to Saudi Arabia, prompting concern from Israel’s defense establishment, with the Israeli Air Force saying the deal jeopardizes Israel’s air superiority.
To discuss the developments unfolding with regards to Israel and the Middle East and the possibility of Palestinian statehood, Dan was joined by Ark Media contributors Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Support Birthright Israel: https://birthrightisrael.foundation/callmeback
Apply to become Ark Media’s Production Manager: https://tinyurl.com/mthkpmna
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=inside
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s Episode:
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire has been in place for just over a month. Despite the occasional flare-ups, it’s been a time of relatively few sirens (by Israeli standards). As President Trump pushes forward with his peace plan and Israel’s regional enemies seek to gain a new advantage, Dan sat down with Dr. Micah Goodman to figure out whether two years of war have left the Jewish state stronger, weaker, or both. In other words, did Israel win?
Micah Goodman is the author of seven best seller books and the co-host of the Mifleget Hamachshavot podcast in Hebrew with Efrat Shapira-Rosenberg.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Apply to become Ark Media’s Production Manager: https://tinyurl.com/mthkpmna
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=inside
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Don’t Feed the Lion: amazon.com/Dont-Feed-Arcadia-Childrens-Books/dp/1467196215
Unholy podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unholy-two-jews-on-the-news/id1548441108
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’:arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
Check out Ark Media’s other podcasts:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s Episode:
This week, Dan sat down with Yonit Levy and Bianna Golodryga, who recently published a children’s novel, Don’t Feed the Lion, which focuses on a group of teenagers facing the rising tide of antisemitism and having to find their way through the storm. Despite its dark theme, the book is a story full of love, resilience, and self-discovery.
Yonit Levy is the lead news anchor at Israel’s Channel 12 and co-host of the UnHoly Podcast. Bianna Golodryga is a news anchor and global affairs analyst at CNN.
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
SUBSCRIBE HERE to Donniel and Yossi's podcast, For Heaven's Sake: https://lnk.to/rfGlrA
Learn more about opening a JCF charitable fund today for flexible and strategic giving at jcfny.org
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: https://inside.arkmedia.org
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: http://inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’: https://arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s Episode:
Israel was founded on a common story and a shared ethos. But what happens when the country can no longer agree on which story should shape its future? In part one of this conversation, Yossi Klein Halevi and Rabbi Donniel Hartman, hosts of For Heaven’s Sake, join Dan from across the Ark Media universe to discuss the competing narratives that tear Israel apart. From liberal democracy to theocratic Messianism. Can a new consensus emerge?
Also: stay tuned for part two of this conversation, where the three ask whether some American Jews are giving up on Israel.
(00:00) Introduction
(09:03) From labor zionism to religious zionism
(12:55) The stories that define Israel’s social camps
(17:50) Why Israel has little margin for error
(19:32) The Israeli mainstream and the Likud
(28:03) How Israelis think about a Palestinian state
(31:14) The relationship between the Jewish and Israeli identities
(37:30) Can Naftali Bennett unite Israeli society?
(41:27) Israel’s next big story
(45:24) The strength of Israeli society
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
SUBSCRIBE HERE to Donniel and Yossi's podcast, For Heaven's Sake: https://lnk.to/rfGlrA
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: https://inside.arkmedia.org
Learn more about opening a JCF charitable fund today for flexible and strategic giving at jcfny.org
Gift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: http://inside.arkmedia.org/gifts
Subscribe to Amit Segal’s newsletter ‘It’s Noon in Israel’: https://arkmedia.org/amitsegal/
Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcast
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: https://arkmedia.org/
Ark Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arkmediaorg
Dan on X: https://x.com/dansenor
Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansenor
To order Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdn
Today’s Episode:
This is part two of Dan’s conversation with For Heaven’s Sake hosts Yossi Klein Halevi and Rabbi Donniel Hartman. Early exit polls indicate that almost a third of New York’s Jewish voters may have voted for Zohran Mamdani, who had previously said that Antizionism is central to his worldview, for mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel. Are American Jews starting to give up on Israel? Dan, Yossi, and Donniel debate.
Make sure to also catch part one of this conversation, where the three discuss the narratives that split Israeli society.
(00:00) Introduction
(03:08) Why did so many young Jews turn on Israel?
(08:45) Confronting the hard reality of war
(10:25) What to make of Jews struggling with Israel
(16:16) Managing the electoral base during war
(18:20) Ensuring Israel remains Jewish and democratic
(22:12) Did Mamdani voters betray American Jews?
CREDITS:
ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor
ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer
MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor
MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing
MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director
GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research
YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer
Last year I participated in a fundraising auction for the Jewish Food Society. It’s a great organization that uses Jewish and Israeli food as a platform to provide a meaningful connection Jewish life and culture. This year you can win an exclusive breakfast with our very own Nadav Eyal.
Place your bid here: https://givebutter.com/c/SupportJewishFoodSociety/auction