Unpacking Israeli History

Unpacking Israeli History

Join self-confessed history nerd Dr. Noam Weissman on a journey through the fascinating and sometimes controversial events and personalities that have shaped Israel’s past and present. Each week, Noam explores the layers of Israeli history, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the cultural forces at play—drawing on a variety of sources and perspectives. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking to better understand this complex region, you’ll find a nuanced, authentic, and thought-provoking take on Israel—free from oversimplification and political spin.

Episodes

November 11, 2025 55 mins
Thirty years after Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, Noam Weissman sits with Journalist Haviv Rettig Gur to unpack what changed on November 4, 1995—and what didn’t. Was Oslo doomed, or did Rabin’s murder briefly revive it? How did incitement shape the 1990s—and how is Rabin taught (or not) in Israeli schools today? We revisit Rabin the general and statesman, the rise of Netanyahu-era politics, and why Left/Right labels no longer map c...
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Thirty years after Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally in Tel Aviv, we revisit one of the most defining moments in Israeli history. Originally released in Season 1, this episode now features new reflections from host Noam Weissman. It traces Rabin’s journey from Palmach fighter to Oslo peace architect, explores the divisions and extremism that led to his murder, and asks: did the assassination kill the pe...
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In one of the most powerful episodes of Unpacking Israeli History, host Noam Weissman sits down with Eli Sharabi, survivor of 491 days as a Hamas hostage, to share his story of faith, endurance, and unimaginable loss. In his bestselling memoir Hostage, Eli recounts life 50 meters underground—facing starvation and terror while clinging to small acts of hope. He speaks about refusing to abandon his Jewish identity, finding strength ...
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So much of what we read about Israel is politics and war. But this episode explores a different angle: what does it feel like to live through this moment? Noam sits down with writer and Times of Israel editor Sarah Tuttle-Singer, author of Jerusalem Drawn and Quartered, for a raw, empathetic conversation about daily life in Jerusalem after October 7. They talk about euphoria and grief around hostage returns, the “toxic resilience” ...
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Two years after October 7, 2023, host Noam Weissman reflects on how Israel—and he himself—have been haunted by absence and by loss. Now the last living hostages are home and a ceasefire begins. Noam shares the story of an empty chair at his family’s Shabbat table. The chair began as a symbol of hope for the 251 hostages. It became a mirror of a nation’s grief, endurance, and faith that “a new day will rise.” Please get in touc...
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It's been two years since October 7, 2023—the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. To commemorate, Noam revisits a powerful conversation (originally aired on Wondering Jews) with award-winning journalist Amir Tibon, author of The Gates of Gaza and a survivor of the attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. They discuss the day itself, Noam Tibon’s rescue, the ongoing hostage crisis, and what heroism, memory, and rebuilding means for Isra...
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Gaza-born activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib joins Noam Weissman for the series finale and a fierce, heartfelt debate on Palestinian statehood. While they grapple with the meaning and limits of Palestinian statehood, Ahmed shares his vision of “radical pragmatism,” shifting from resistance to nation-building. Ahmed and Noam take a look back at the history and possible transitional paths forward in a conversation grounded in friendship a...
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Noam Weissman sits down with Dr. Einat Wilf — former Knesset member, public intellectual, and one of Israel’s sharpest voices — for a provocative conversation about Palestinian statehood. Once a passionate believer in Oslo’s “land for peace,” Wilf’s experiences led her from optimism to skepticism about whether a two-state solution is possible. She argues the conflict is rooted not in borders or land swaps but in the refusal to acce...
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In our two-part series on Palestinian statehood, we traced the history and politics behind decades of failed attempts. But for Palestinian activist and political leader Samer Sinijlawi, the real story isn’t just about UN votes or diplomatic resolutions. It’s about whether Palestinians and Israelis can build a shared future with their own hands. In this candid conversation, Noam and Samer explore why lasting peace must be created fr...
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In this bonus episode, Noam talks with Michael Koplow, chief policy officer at the Israel Policy Forum. Michael traces the history of Palestinian statehood efforts, explains why each one failed, and shares why he doubts the UN’s recent recognition vote will change realities on the ground. Still, he hasn’t given up on two states, and he has devoted his career to making it happen. This episode of Unpacking Israeli History is gener...
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In Part 2 in a series on Palestinian statehood, Noam Weissman picks up in 1967, showing how the Six Day War reset borders and assumptions—sparking debates over land, security, and sovereignty. From Oslo to the Second Intifada, Gaza disengagement to October 7, 2023, the episode traces failed peace efforts, missed opportunities, and deepening mistrust. With a growing number of countries now pushing recognition of Palestine at the U...
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Why did Israel become a state but Palestine didn’t? Now that a rising number of nations, including Britain and France, have announced that they plan to recognize Palestinian Statehood at the United Nations General Assembly, that question feels more urgent than ever. In Part One of this two-part series, Noam Weissman takes a look back at the decades from WWI to 1967. The episodes explores how the Yishuv built the foundations of a J...
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BOOK NOW FOR OUR LA SHOW - Nov 12 at Sinai Temple with special guest Ronen Bergman. Last stop for 2025! Use the coupon code UIH20 to get a discount on your tickets: ⁠https://unpacked.bio/UIHLA25⁠ Host Noam Weissman sits down with Call Me Back host Dan Senor in a special live episode recorded before a sold-out crowd of nearly 1,000 at New York’s iconic 92NY. Two of today’s leading voices on Israel come together for a fast-paced, fo...
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September 15, 2025 8 mins
Noam Weissman reflects on the Charlie Kirk assassination and what Israeli history—from Rabin to Gaza—teaches about polarization, sacred listening, and building a culture of principled, nonviolent disagreement. Please get in touch at noam@unpacked.media. Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check o...
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Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? Host Noam Weissman and historian Gil Troy dive into the explosive debate in an important and difficult conversation. They break down the legal definition of genocide, the role of intent, and how this differs from war crimes. From the IDF’s principle of purity of arms to heated political rhetoric, Gil and Noam explore whether Israel is living up to its ideals while fighting for survival. Her...
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Who are the Neturei Karta? A recent Humans of New York article brought the fringe sect of ultra-Orthodox, anti-Zionist Jews into the spotlight. Now Noam Weissman explains the history of this tiny movement, which rejects the State of Israel and ally with its worst enemies. Noam explores why he and so many Jews are enraged by the Neturei Karta, who engage in anti-Jewish hatemongering. The Neturei Karta continue to grab outsized atten...
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What wins hearts and minds — facts, or feelings? This week, Noam Weissman sits down with Toba Hellerstein, author of American Perceptions of Jews and Israel and a leading expert on antisemitism, diplomacy, and narrative strategy. Together, they unpack why Israel advocacy so often falls flat. From the meaning of Zionism to the archetypes of “king,” “victim,” and “antihero,” this conversation reframes how Jews (and their allies) shou...
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In Part 2 of a series on settler violence, Noam Weissman talks with Yirmiyahu Danzig (@that_semite) about the Hilltop Youth, Palestinian life in Area C, and the narratives behind the headlines. From Gaza disengagement trauma to price tag attacks, this episode explores why this “fringe of a fringe” matters for Israel’s future. You can watch Yirmiyahu's videos on Unpacked's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube channel⁠. Please get in touch at noam...
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Noam Weissman sits down with journalist Haviv Rettig Gur to tackle one of the most heated topics in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: settler violence. Who are the “Hilltop Youth,” the fringe group accused of a kind of terrorism targeting Palestinian civilians? And is settler violence a widespread threat or a statistically small — but politically explosive — phenomenon? Noam and Haviv break down the history, the impact, the numbers...
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In the explosive finale of our 3-part series on the Suez Crisis, Noam Weissman unpacks the hidden aftershocks of Israel’s most underrated war. This episode reveals how the 1956 Sinai Campaign reshaped global alliances and Middle East power dynamics; from a swift IDF victory to a humiliating Anglo-French retreat, from Soviet nuclear threats to America’s diplomatic power play. Listen to first-hand accounts of the brutal expulsion of...
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