Jonny Gould's Jewish State

Today’s guest is His Excellency, Ferenc Kumin, Hungarian ambassador to the UK. “We (Hungary) feel a moral drive to strengthen our ties to Israel and the Jewish community. And when you have that moral drive, it makes it easier, you don’t hesitate”. The words of the new Hungarian ambassador to the UK, Ferenc Kumin. It's been quite a summer covering Israel and it started for me with this remarkable interview with His Excellency, Ambassador Ferenc Kumin at the Hungarian Embassy in London. With Israel, Bahrain and the UAE agreeing to normalization, Muslim-majority Kosovo also establishing diplomatic ties and with Serbia pondering moving their mission to Jerusalem, a reset of positions, some deeply entrenched is now due from nations across the world. There are still present day problems of antisemitism in Hungary, but there is both an awareness and willingness to confront it. I was touched by Ambassador Kumin's sincerity and knowledge of Hungarian Jewish history as we discussed their extremely difficult history of

From Middle East peace to standup, from Lord Balfour to Israeli HealthTech, from Labour antisemitism to pop music and from smoked salmon to football, Jonny produces regular free podcasts. Want to help Jonny’s efforts? You can make a monthly donation of £3 and support his efforts at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=BW4GZLQCCL29Y&item_name=Podcast+production+¤cy_code=GBP&source=url

A university lecturer at Southampton Solent was sacked for telling his course leader, “I believe that Jewish people are among the cleverest in the world. They are much maligned because of it.” Stephen Lamonby remarked to Dr. Janet Bonar that people from different countries had become good at certain things owing to “high exposure”. He said that Germans are good at engineering because they are “exposed to a high level of industry from an early stage in their lives”. When Dr. Bonar, an engineering lecturer, mentioned her degree in physics, Mr Lamonby said that Jewish people had “a particular gift” for the subject. He used Albert Einstein as an example and asked Dr Bonar if she was Jewish. She took offence and called Mr. Lamonby a racist. Mr. Lamonby was sacked by the University and an employment tribunal dismissed his claim. Judge Colm H. O’Rourke said: “A Jew told they are good at physics — because they are a Jew — may well consider that as demeaning their personal intellectual ability/hard work.” Mr. Lamonby

This a rework of the Trevor Horn episode from 2019. As lockdown looms large over 2020, this is a tribute to his creative vibrancy throughout the previous year: the worldwide concerts and ambitious records. And it’s updated to include the orchestral album with Rod Stewart and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which followed “Reimagining the 80s”, a 65-piece rework of the best songs by stars from the decade. I was lucky enough to see Trevor in concert during this prolific period of creativity at the Royal Festival Hall in London. But I’ll always remember this very personal discussion because of how we discussed his deep connection to both Judaism and the synagogue community of South Hampstead in London. We also talk about his own background growing up in County Durham. His father came from a family of teachers, his mother from mineworkers and the class snobbery which emerged from that seems a world away from his life now. I’m always proud when an interviewee tells me at the end that he or she’s never been asked

Help Jonny's podcast along with a coffee! This is the second episode of a two-part series on the future of Britishness, patriotism and the nation state. In Part 1, Trevor Phillips talked of “mission creep” in diversity and Karen Harradine distinguished between power and influence, arguing that though Trump and Johnson were in power on both sides of the Atlantic, many of our institutions were influencing against them. Today, "Britain's strictest headmistress" Katharine Birbalsingh discusses the unifying call of Britishness for those of us lucky to live here. And writer and campaigner Inaya Folarin Iman says identity politics discounts humanity and its sheer potential and possibilities. Katharine came to prominence a decade ago at the Conservative Party conference, when she spoke in support of the party's education policies. She slated a "culture of excuses, of low standards ... a sea of bureaucracy ... [and] the chaos of our classrooms", “because it keeps poor children poor." Katharine confronted the prevailin

Cancel culture, editorial purges and your sporting heroes kneeling before kickoff. Why should sport be a promotional platform to institutionalize potentially divisive ideas? Unlike other countries, English football's popularity was built on its competitive integrity and little else. I just want to watch Aston Villa lose in peace in an ideologically free zone and wonder to why the jobs market might be engineering opportunites for some and not others. What is antiracism and is it the same as being against racism? - and if not, what exists between those definitions? Is antisemitism the elephant in the vaccuum? If we all agree racism is a problem is change even possible when the establishment of public sector, charities, even sports governing bodies are rushing to be associated with an organisation which also wants to defund the police and crush capitalism. Not to mention their plan for Israel. And is the silent majority of Britain made up of factory workers, lollipop ladies and warehouse operatives miffed to be

Today’s guest is Theresa May's former joint chief of staff, Nick Timothy. Many will recall a bushy beard during his time running Mrs. May’s administration; a style of grooming by which the tabloids dubbed him, “Brummie Rasputin” but they’ll have to find a new nickname for him now! Nick formulated and wrote policy in the Home Office before ascending to the corridors of Number Ten where he wrote Mrs. May’s 2017 General Election manifesto. But he didn't see out her premiership, taking the hit with Fiona Hill for her disastrous 2017 election campaign, an experience he calls "both brutal and chastening". His career continues as both a columnist for the Daily Telegraph and author of "Remaking One Nation: The Future of Conservatism", in which he outlines a restoration of civic capitalism as the way to bring a bruised and divided country together. We also discuss the problems of globalisation, the West’s future relations with China which he's long warned about, lessons learned for both major parties from the 2019 Gen

Jason Greenblatt is the co-architect of the peace plan which changed the course of the Middle East during 2020. In January 2017, he was appointed Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations. With presidential advisor and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner and US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, they drafted “Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People”. Officially he’s left his role as one of President Trump’s chief Middle East peacemakers. But in practice, it’s quite another matter. “It's like that line from the Eagles' song, 'you can checkout anytime you like, but you can never leave'", says today’s prestigious guest of “Hotel California”. He admits to still being involved despite leaving the White House in September 2019. The following February, Jason joined the board of Our Crowd, a crowdfunding investment platform aimed at projects in the Middle East, but says he's in regular contact with diplomats,

Jonny's podcast is helped along by your generous support. Buy me a coffee here. How many acts of heroism never come to public attention because of the modesty of the heroes themselves? This is a first-ever audio interview in English with one such man. His name is "Dani', the Mossad commander in charge of “Operation Brothers” for five drama-filled years from 1978. Without doubt, this is one of Israel's finest hours; a Mossad mission to emancipate thousands of Ethiopian Jews from the dangers of revolution and persecution. But this is also about partnership and brotherhood. Mossad would never have achieved this lethally dangerous, giant humanitarian mission without the equal determination of the Ethiopian Jews themselves, to realise a generational longing to return to Israel, the land of their forefathers. "Dani" only agreed to this interview on condition that his full identity wouldn't be revealed. And while he's partially emerged out of the shadows, I'm told many of his Mossad colleagues remain completely

As Jonny Gould’s Jewish State grows, so does the challenge to deliver relevant content to a bigger audience. I have now expanded into news coverage as Israel gets a first government in 18 months after three exhausting elections. This is “Israel Briefing”, the first in a new series on Jonny Gould’s Jewish State, as James Marlow becomes our Israel correspondent. On Israel's 72nd anniversary, Binyamin Netanyahu leads yet another government as PM, the Trump Administration urges him to scale down business with China, while reports of Iran’s withdrawal from Syria appear to have been somewhat overstated. James also reveals the brinkmanship behind forming the next government, an enlarged 36 ministries as splintering parties seek cabinet responsibility but the merger of the UN and US Ambassador roles. If you like what you hear today, please share generously on Facebook, Twitter and email. Jonny makes these podcasts for free and if you enjoy his shows, you can help support him at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/we

Israel is fast emerging as a hub for international TV drama. Netflix is syndicating a host of Israeli hit shows across 192 countries. It was unthinkable even five years ago that the Startup Nation would add cultural ‘soft power’ to its already established high-tech rollcall of global successes. Fauda was thought just to be of interest to an Israeli audience. Originally only in Hebrew and Arabic, it's the story of the IDF's special units who go deep behind enemy lines to combat terror and rescue hostages. Among the mainstays of all three series is co-creator and lead, Lior Raz who plays Doron Kabbilio (and other undercover aliases) and his Shin Bet commander, Itzik Cohen, the long suffering Captain Gabi Ayub. I caught up with Itzik, locked down in Tel Aviv, who explained with great passion the role of the actor in such a realistic show. Lior Raz comes courtesy of Roger Bennett of Men In Blazers. Thanks and Courage, Roger. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is brought to you with Dangoor Education. You can support his

If you’ve listened to a few episodes and eagerly anticipate the next one, follow this link to support Jonny. Today’s guest is author and the creative power behind the Netflix smash hit Unorthodox, Deborah Feldman. This has become the runaway most-listened to episode of Jonny Gould's Jewish State so far. Unorthodox on Netflix has become the must-watch drama everyone seems to relate to. It’s a highly moving portrayal in English, German - and Yiddish. It’s about a pregnant teenager fleeing her ultra-orthodox Jewish community in New York for a new and uncharted life in Berlin. The series heroine, Esty Shapiro, played by Shira Haas is fictitious - but the story mostly isn't. It's a version of the life of Deborah Feldman, who now lives in the German capital having grown up in Brooklyn in a Satmar community. Deborah's book chronicles her own exodus from Williamsburg and I tracked her down to her Berlin home, which was easier than normal during lockdown! It's an intense interview covering many topics, including the r

Our guest today is Professor Gerald Steinberg, founder and CEO of NGO Monitor. The values of Human Rights are part of modern-day international conflict. Modern warfare is also fought through social media, the United Nations and via NGOs or non-governmental organizations. "Soft power can be very deadly, I've seen it with my own eyes", says today's guest Professor Gerald Steinberg, founder of NGO Monitor. And so often, the central battlefield of NGOs is between Israel and the Palestinians. Gerald set up NGO Monitor in 2001 because he saw the need to "vigorously challenge" and end the promotion of "politically and ideologically motivated anti-Israel agendas by NGOs”. In this fascinating episode, we discuss in detail the change in how Human Rights is conducted and where organizations such as BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) started. If you appreciate Jonny's podcasts, kindly support him with a donation and see his other podcasts here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is Joseph Cohen, creator of the Israel Advocacy Movement and it's extraordinarily powerful viral videos. Joseph Cohen’s helping to change perceptions of Israel and Judaism. Amid rising antisemitism and antizionism, Joseph hopes his work will inspire others to follow his lead. His YouTube and Facebook videos have been viewed millions of times and been retweeted by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Joseph's unusual background gives him a deep understanding of working class England and his study of the similarities between Islam and Judaism provides his outreach work with additional authenticity. I’m calling Joseph “Zionism’s Angel of the North”, a tribute to his background as the child of a hippy commune in a Durham pit village. The town in which he grew up was part of the “red wall”, which overwhelmingly voted Conservative at the 2019 General Election, as Boris Johnson inflicted the worst electoral defeat on Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour since 1935. And Joseph says the north has “zero app

"I can go freely to the Western Wall or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, why can't our Jewish and other friends go to the Temple Mount?" Ed Husain is a vital voice from the British Muslim community with his many speeches and articles on tolerance and pluralism. He was a teenage Islamist who embraced Muslim nationalism but started life in his father's more peaceful, religious mosque. Now he’s a steadfast opponent of the creed of the extremist. He's the author of The Islamist, an account of his five years as an activist here in the UK - and The House of Islam: A Global History, which discusses the classical tenets of Islam and the ways in which they're being distorted by political Islam. Ed explains how the West's thirty million Muslims must acquaint themselves with life in a secular state where they're no longer the dominant population or conqueror. I released this podcast on Purim, which Ed mentions. It’s his wish that modern-day Persia, now Iran, should return to the days of Mordechai, who as Prime Minister

This episode opens with a stark warning to Europe’s leaders: a second refugee influx looks increasingly likely. Yaakov Lappin is a military analyst and researcher whose book, “The Virtual Caliphate” predicted the emergence of ISIS as they then swept through Iraq and Syria. He was alarmed at how easily accessible IS was online and how it led readily to the radicalization of so many young western Muslims. And he says though ISIS have been defeated militarily, the threat of both extreme Sunni and Shia terrorism must be countered or Europe could face another mass influx of refugees. In this wideranging discussion, Yaakov also unpacks the opportunities which Donald Trump's Deal Of The Century offers plus a new IDF leadership system he's helping to develop. Jonny produces these podcasts for free. To make a donation to his efforts, buy him a coffee here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ambassador Mark Regev embodies the modern Israeli story. Leaving his native Australia at 22 without family or contacts waiting for him, he praises Israeli mobility which aided his rise to the top of diplomacy. Armed with mother-tongue English, his ability to communicate Israel to billions of people is both of great advantage personally and nationally. He pays tribute to the pioneer generation of Israeli orators, led by South African-born Abba Eban and his stirring command of language. Ambassador Regev hopes the Palestinians reject ‘rejectionism’ and recognise the opportunities provided by Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century”. Three Arab governments were present in the White House as it was unveiled. He asks why the Palestinians aren’t also celebrating decades and decades of independence as the UN partition laid it out. We also discuss the Palestinian issue as a vehicle for antisemitism, statistically and substantively - and the roots of leftist Jew-hate in Voltaire, Dostoyevsky and Jewish-born Karl Marx.

This is an excerpt from Ep 31, the full interview with Israel's Ambassador to the UK, Mark Regev. In this ‘preview clip’ Ambassador Regev tells Jonny Gould that growing trade is but part of a burgeoning relationship between Israel and the UK, which can only grow post-Brexit. Bilateral trade stands at $18bn both ways so Israel was quick off the mark to complete a deal to continue trade seamlessly after the 2020 transition. Security co-operation and collaboration between the two independent nations makes the citizens of both safer according to Ambassador Regev. IDF pilots and the RAF have been training together because Britain values Israel’s aircraft combat experience. Look out for the FULL interview, Episode 30, with Ambassador Mark Regev on Jonny Gould's Jewish State. Jonny makes these podcasts for free. If you’ve listened to a couple or more of the series, you can support him at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=BW4GZLQCCL29Y&item_name=Podcast+production+¤cy_code=GB

You can support Jonny in making these podcasts right here. The former White House Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci is a political celebrity. He’s making a career out of his ten days in the Trump Administration. The Mooch was heading to Pennsylvania to campaign for Mike Bloomberg’s short-lived Democratic Party bid for the Presidency. And in advance of that, he was in London addressing an intimate invitation-only crowd at the Four Seasons, Ten Trinity Square Hotel. After a wide-ranging discussion about why he turned against Trump (he spoke out against the President's rebuke to "the squad", the four Democratic congresswomen who he said should "go back and help fix the totally broken crime-infested places they came from"), I caught up with him for a one-to-one chat about the Deal Of The Century, President Trump’s plan for a new settlement in the Middle East. You can help Jonny make these podcasts right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is my second meeting with Richard and delighted to tell you it took place in Tel Aviv. He's a regular visitor to Israel and gives generously of his time to so many people and institutions helping to make the country stronger. Our trips to Israel coincided and he graciously made time to sit down with me amid his many engagements. There have been two significant, perhaps gamechanging events since we first met in September 2019; Donald Trump's much anticipated Deal Of The Century was launched and the US assassinated Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. Can the Palestinians be persuaded to stop saying “a thousand times, no?” Could Iran’s proxies continue their retaliation against America and its allies - including Israel? We hear Richard’s take on both. Plus listen for his extraordinary meeting with two IDF soldiers, both Muslim Arabs. He unpacks the huge personal sacrifices they've made, why they enlisted in the first place and the impact it’s had on their lives in East Jerusalem. LISTEN HERE to t