S2 E18. Sundays with Ya’akov: Hostages. Rafah. Shifa Hospital. Aid. Drafting the Ultra-Orthodox.

It’s a pretty gloomy Purim in Israel; a holiday usually all buzzy and fun. On Purim we celebrate yet another close call with annihilation, which invites yet another miracle that saves us in the nick of time, followed by food, festivities and happy stuff. But not this year. Ya’akov and I get into the details of the top stories and issues preoccupying Israelis: the never-ending crisis with the hostages, Rafah and whether or not an assault on the city is necessary and imminent, allegations by the UN and various countries of Israeli interference with the provision of humanitarian aid, Shifa Hospital, and the descent of the Gaza Strip into even more extreme lawlessness and chaos. We close out with a short discussion of the ongoing refusal of the ultra-orthodox coalition partners in this government to accept any legislative requirement that haredi men be required to serve in the military at age 18. This could well be the issue that brings this government down. And, yes. As crazy as it may sound, the majority of Israelis want elections. The polls have been consistent in that regard for months now. Buckle up. It’s quite a ride today.