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Unpacked

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.

Unpacking Israeli History

Host Noam Weissman explores the intricate, often misunderstood story of Arab citizens of Israel in the first episode of a two-part series. Noam delves into their journey from the Ottoman Empire to 1967 with honesty and nuance, grappling with themes of identity, nationality, and integration. Please tune in next week for Part 2, focusing on 1967 to today. The series invites listeners to consider the compromises and efforts needed to build a truly inclusive and equitable society.
Click here for the sources used in this episode.

Follow Unpacking Israeli History on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

The Complex Identity of Arab Citizens of Israel: Part 1

This week, we continue our two-part series on the complex story of Arab citizens of Israel, from 1967 to October 7, 2023. We explore the evolving identity of Israeli Arabs, focusing not only on challenges of the past, but also looking ahead at paths to peace, equality, and mutual understanding.

Click here for the sources used in this episode.

Follow Unpacking Israeli History on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

The Complex Identity of Arab Citizens of Israel: Part 2

Unpacking Israeli History is taking a short break. But we are continuing to work on new episodes, including some based your questions, so keep your ideas coming and get in touch at noam@jewishunpacked.com. We will be back in a few weeks. See you in 2025. Thanks for listening.

This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

Unpacking Israeli History is taking a short break

This week, host Noam Weissman addresses listeners' questions and dives deep into the controversy surrounding the USS Liberty incident during the Six-Day War. He dissects the facts, debunks conspiracy theories, and explores how these narratives intersect with age-old antisemitic tropes. From historical context to contemporary debates fueled by figures like Candace Owens, this episode highlights the importance of distinguishing between legitimate inquiries and harmful conspiracies.

Click here for the sources used in this episode.

Follow Unpacking Israeli History on Instagram and check us out on youtube.

Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

Open Mic: The USS Liberty, Conspiracies, and Antisemitism

Join host Noam Weissman as he dives into the complex history and heated debates surrounding Israeli settlements. The first installment of a special two-part series explores the immediate aftermath of the Six Day War in 1967 to the ideological motivations of the Gush Emunim movement. Noam discusses how the terms “occupied,” “disputed,” and “liberated” each carry profound political and historical weight. Learn about key players who shaped the settlement enterprise, including religious visionaries inspired by the belief that Judea and Samaria are integral to the Jewish destiny. Whether you view these areas as ancestral homelands or illegally occupied territories, this conversation offers a detailed, balanced approach to one of the most contentious topics in the Middle East.

Click here for the sources used in this episode.

Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

Israeli Settlers: Obstacle or Path to Peace? Part 1

Host Noam Weissman explores the complex and often controversial history of Israeli settlements in the second episode in a two-part series. Noam unravels the strategic, religious, and political motivations behind the settlement movement, from the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War to today. Featuring firsthand accounts, expert analysis, and surprising perspectives from settlers and Palestinians, this episode challenges assumptions with an an in-depth look at one of Israel's most debated issues.

Click here for the sources used in this episode.
Check out the past episodes discussed in the podcast.

Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

Israeli Settlers: Obstacle or Path to Peace? Part 2

UIH wants to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts and ideas about the show. Find the survey here. 
In the first episode of a gripping two-part series, host Noam Weissman explores one of the most controversial events in Israel’s past: the 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel by the Irgun. Was it an act of terrorism or a necessary step in the fight for Jewish sovereignty? Through historical context, firsthand accounts, and deep analysis, we unravel the complexities of British rule in Mandate Palestine, the Jewish paramilitary response, and the ongoing debate over the moral and strategic implications of the attack.

Click here for the sources used in this episode.

Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

The King David Hotel Bombing: Terrorism or Resistance? Part 1

Dive into the story of the 1946 King David Hotel bombing with part two in a gripping series on an event that re-shaped British policy in Mandate Palestine and influenced the future of Israel. Host Noam Weissman unpacks the Irgun’s daring operation, the sequence of warnings and events that led to the tragic loss of 91 lives, and the political fallout. Listen to survivor testimony about the bombing and hear how this historic act of resistance —and its moral complexities—laid the groundwork for Menachem Begin’s controversial legacy.

Click here for the sources used in this episode.

Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

The King David Hotel Bombing: Terrorism or Resistance? Part 2

Host Noam Weissman reflects on one of the most devastating periods since October 7, 2023-- the past week, which brought us the deaths of Oded Lifshitz and 3/4 of the Bibas family. From the abduction of Yarden, Shiri, and their young sons Ariel and Kfir at Kibbutz Nir Oz to the deceptive handling of their remains, the brutal murders have left an indelible scar on Israel. The episode draws parallels with iconic historical images like Anne Frank and Napalm Girl and honors the legacy of peace activist Oded Lifshitz, whose life work exemplified hope amid violence. Join us as we reflect on these harrowing events, expose media manipulation, and call for a future where human dignity prevails over terror.

IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari's televised statement.

Follow Unpacking Israeli History on Instagram and check us out on youtube. 
Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

Bibas Family Tragedy and the Human Cost of Conflict

Host Noam Weissman tackles one of the most complex and debated topics in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this 30-minute crash course, Noam distills over a century of history, including the origins of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration, wars, peace efforts, and the tragic events of October 7. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a clear, no-frills summary, this episode provides the context, nuance, and key turning points that shaped the conflict.
Click here for the sources used in this episode.
Follow Unpacking Israeli History on Instagram and check us out on youtube.
Please note that our email address has changed. You can now email noam@unpacked.media.
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
-------------------
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold 
Wondering Jews

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A 30-Minute Guide

When we first released an episode on captured soldiers, back in August 2023, we had no idea that we were mere months away from the worst hostage crisis Israel had ever experienced. 
On October 7, 2023, Hamas murdered 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and dragged another 240 to Gaza, plunging Israel into a nightmare. Hamas did not discriminate. They took babies as young as 9 months, elderly people well into their 80s, and everyone in between.
Some of those 240 hostages have been rescued or released. Some were murdered in captivity. Three were killed mistakenly by “friendly fire.” But as of December 2023, 129 remain in Gaza, their fates and welfare unknown. And the questions we raised back in August remain more relevant than ever. 
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Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tO4xtCQdNDbcO3THe1elsiNrvREOuG6FjD3gcq5hDnA/edit?usp=sharing

Should Israel Ransom Hostages? (Updated)

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