Israel Undiplomatic

Israel Undiplomatic

Join JNS senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and Ambassador Mark Regev, former advisers at the Prime Minister’s Office, as they dissect—and duke out—the issues that Israel grapples with internally and faces internationally. Blum and Regev illustrate that even a shared worldview can produce very different perspectives. As the proverb goes, “The devil is in the details.” Thanks for listening! If you appreciated today’s discussion and want to dive deeper into the issues shaping Israel and the Jewish world, join our community by subscribing to our newsletter. Your engagement keeps our journalism thriving. Your support is crucial. Support us with a donation to ensure we can continue delivering in-depth reporting.
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Episode's summary

A terrorist pilot nearly turned a passenger jet into a weapon, but the security failures that put him in the cockpit may be the most disturbing part of the story. In this episode of "Israel Undiplomatic", Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum unpack the extraordinary FlyDubai attack and the growing questions over how an allegedly radicalized pilot who had previously faced problems elsewhere was allowed to fly a plane bound for Israel. Three years after October 7, they ask whether Israel has truly learned the lessons of that devastating security failure and examine how dramatically the battlefield has changed since then. From Hamas fighting for survival to Israelis returning in growing numbers to communities along the Gaza border, Regev and Blum argue that the story of the past three years is not only one of tragedy, but also of a country that has fundamentally changed the balance against its enemies.

Episodes

129-

From Oct. 7 to Flydubai: Global Jihad’s Next Front?

A terrorist pilot nearly turned a passenger jet into a weapon, but the security failures that put him in the cockpit may be the most disturbing part of the story. In this episode of "Israel Undiplomatic", Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum unpack the extraordinary FlyDubai attack and the growing questions over how an allegedly radicalized pilot who had previously faced problems elsewhere was allowed to fly a plane bound for Israel. Three years after October 7, they ask whether Israel has truly learned the lessons of that devastating security failure and examine how dramatically the battlefield has changed since then. From Hamas fighting for survival to Israelis returning in growing numbers to communities along the Gaza border, Regev and Blum argue that the story of the past three years is not only one of tragedy, but also of a country that has fundamentally changed the balance against its enemies.

05 Oct 2026
128-

Europe’s Anti-Israel Crusade Just Hit a Stunning New Level

Europe is turning up the pressure on Israel, but are Ireland and the Netherlands applying standards they wouldn’t use anywhere else? Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum expose the contradictions and growing tensions behind Europe’s increasingly hostile approach to the Jewish state. From Ireland’s protests against Israel in international sports to Dutch restrictions on Israeli products, the two examine how relations have deteriorated, and why Israel may no longer be willing to simply absorb the criticism. They also dig into Europe’s complicated history with the Jewish people and ask what’s really driving this dramatic shift against Israel.

30 Sep 2026
127-

Netanyahu Launches Civilizational Battle In Fiery UN Speech

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s UN speech wasn’t just aimed at the diplomats sitting in the room...Mark Regev and Ruthie Blum argue some of its most important messages were meant for President Trump, Iran and Israelis watching back home. In this special episode of "Israel Undiplomatic", the hosts break down Netanyahu’s arguments about Judea and Samaria, Gaza and the history behind Israel’s territorial disputes, before examining what those arguments could mean for Israeli policy going forward. They also unpack Netanyahu’s praise for Trump over the war with Iran and the theatrical Starlink stunt aimed directly at the Iranian delegation, before tackling his response to accusations of genocide in Gaza. Finally, they explain why Netanyahu’s call for Jews around the world to “raise your head high” may have been one of the most consequential messages of the entire speech.

27 Sep 2026
126-

The Chutzpah! Macron and King Abdullah Launch Vicious Attacks on Israel

World leaders took aim at Israel from the UN stage, but Mark Regev and Ruthie Bloom say their arguments ignore the security reality Israel faces on the ground. In this episode of "Israel Undiplomatic", the hosts take on Emmanuel Macron’s claims about Judea and Samaria, including his assertion that Hamas was not operating there and examine what they see as a growing disconnect between European rhetoric and Israel’s experience with terrorism. They also dissect King Abdullah’s fresh accusations against Israel, while debating a complicated question: Why should Israel tolerate harsh public criticism from Jordan when the two countries maintain vital security cooperation behind the scenes? From France’s deteriorating relationship with Israel to the widening gap between what Arab governments say publicly and privately, this episode exposes the diplomatic battle unfolding around Israel at the UN.

24 Sep 2026
125-

Two Israelis Turn on the IDF, And Europe Gives Them a Standing Ovation

An Israeli-made film accusing the IDF of war crimes just received a staggering 25-minute standing ovation in Europe, and the reaction inside Israel couldn’t be more different. Former Israeli ambassador to the UK Mark Regev and senior contributing editor at JNS Ruthie Blum take apart the controversy surrounding Naza, a film alleging that Israeli forces used AI to target Palestinians in Gaza while disregarding civilian casualties. They challenge the film’s anonymous military sources and ask why some of Israel’s harshest domestic critics receive such enthusiastic receptions overseas. The bigger question: does the applause in Venice reveal something far more troubling about how attitudes toward Israel have changed across the West?

16 Sep 2026