It is the start of the tenth week since "Black Saturday" of October 7, and the ground offensive in Gaza was resumed after negotiations for the exchange of additional Hamas-held hostages broke down at the beginning of the month. Israeli forces have engaged in intense firefights in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, while at the same time beginning their campaign in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza. A week after the Houthis used ballistic missiles to attack three commercial ships in the Red Sea, the Houthi leadership announced that it would target all Israel-bound ships, regardless of nationality. Hizballah also resumed its attacks on Israel from southern Lebanon, killing a civilian with an anti-tank missile and prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to warn Hezbollah of war.
In our continued effort to keep you well-informed, please see the list below of media and public appearances by MDC researchers during the past week. We are continuing our efforts to analyze and explain the fluid developments in this conflict for the general public and our community of subscribers.
Hebrew:
Prof. Uzi Rabi identified in Ynet (December 1, 2023) the connection between religious extremism and the brutal violence Israel experienced in the October 7 attacks.
Prof. Uzi Rabi explained in Maariv (December 1, 2023) Hamas’s efforts to clear its name and improve its image.
Prof. Uzi Rabi spoke to Channel 13 (December 2, 2023) about Hamas’s psychological warfare. In the second part of the interview prof. Rabi spoke about the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.
Dr. Arik Rudnitzky was interviewed by Maariv (December 3, 2023) following the survey MDC published last week of Arab Society’s Views on the War between Israel and Hamas.
Dr. Harel Chorev was interviewed for the podcast The Headline (December 4, 2023) and discussed the relations between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (from minute 11:00).
Dr. Arik Rudnitzky spoke to Kan11 (December 5, 2023) following the survey MDC published last week of Arab Society’s Views on the War between Israel and Hamas.
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak spoke to Channel 12 (December 5, 2023) regarding Turkey and Qatar relations and the deterioration of Turkey-Israel relations.
Dr. Mira Tzoreff spoke to Relevant (December 6, 2023) regarding Egypt’s refusal to control the Gaza Strip or to accept Palestinian refugees.
Inbal Nissim- Louvton was interviewed for the podcast The Headline (December 7, 2023) about the Houthis and why they are attacking Israel.
Ilan Zalayat was interviewed by Relevant (December 10, 2023) regarding the complicated relations between Israel and Qatar and Qatar’s role in the negotiations to release the hostages.
English:
Dr. Michael Milshtein explains in an article published by The Jerusalen Strategic Tribune (December 1, 2023) why it is so difficult for Israel to decipher Hamas.
Dr. Michael Milshtein was interviewed for the podcast UnHoly (December 1, 2023) and analyzed both the nature of Hamas and of its leader Yahya Sinwar (from minute 18:38).
Dr. Harel Chorev spoke to France24 (December 2, 2023) and explained why the weeklong truce collapsed.
Dr. Joshua Krasna was interviewed by CBC (December 3, 2023) regarding the domestic and international pressures facing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and how his navigation of this moment may affect his leadership, the war, and power in the region.
Dr. Harel Chorev spoke to News9 (December 4, 2023) about the expansion of Israel’s ground offensive (From minute 15:26).
Dr. Arik Rudnitzky was interviewed by i24 News (December 4, 2023) following the survey MDC published last week of Arab Society’s Views on the War between Israel and Hamas.
Dr. Harel Chorev was interviewed by DW (December 6, 2023) regarding the question – how realistic is Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas leaders worldwide?
Prof. Uzi Rabi said to i24 News (December 7, 2023) that the implementation of the UN’s Security Council's resolution could bring long-lasting security to Israel’s northern border communities.
Dr. Harel Chorev analyzed in CNN (December 8, 2023) the profile of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Dr. Michael Milshtein argues in Ynet (December 8, 2023) that there is a new “Iron Curtain” dividing the world between different perceptions of truth and morality.
Arabic:
Dr. Arik Rudnitzky participated in a special panel in Makan (December 7, 2023) discussing Arab society in Israel and the relations between Jews and Arabs following the war.
French:
Dr. Michael Milshtein was quoted in FranceInfo (December 2, 2023) explaining why Israel’s ground offensive is now focusing on the southern Gaza Strip.
Dr. Harel Chorev spoke to i24 News Français (December 11, 2023) about Israel’s ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and the debate regarding the entry of Palestinian workers to Israel.
German:
Dr. Harel Chorev was interviewed for the web documentary Interferenzen (December 4, 2023) and explained how false reports on social media fuel anti-Semitic motives and anti-Israel groups.
Dr. Harel Chorev analyzed in Sueddeutsche Zeitung (December 8, 2023) the profile of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar.
Russian:
Dr. Michael Milshtein was interviewed by NewsRu (December 1, 2023) regarding Hamas’s leaders and hierarchy, the Palestinian reaction to October 7 events and the conclusions that Israel should draw.
Portuguese:
Dr. Harel Chorev analyzed in CNN Brasil (December 8, 2023) the profile of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar.
Azeri:
Dr. Arik Rudnitzky was quoted in Az24 (December 4, 2023) regarding the survey MDC published this week of Arab Society’s Views on the War between Israel and Hamas.